Interview:2006-Wakeford-Heathen Harvest

HH: Greetings Tony. How are you? This November introduces a new Solo release. What can we expect from this album?

TW : "Into The Woods" is nearing completion. Its not a concept album but it does in a very superficial way pay homage to some of the music I listened to in my youth. I speak of the music that dare not speak it's name..... PROG! For me its a very English album reflecting my childhood and youth. Its a strange England populated by out of work hangmen, dubious priests and the Woman's Institute. A countryside becoming suburban with pockets of woodland surviving between substandard housing development for the proletariat. Pockets of woodland that seem bent on revenge and that its best to keep away from. Kris Force has done some wonderful vocals on it. I have contributions from Reeve Malka (percussion) and (Guy Harries) flute, who are excellent. I hope to work with all three again in orchestra noir. Then its mixing, which is not my strong point! Thankfully there is a good chance Reeve will help with that. He has run successful studio's in Israel, and the USA and is now setting one up in London. I am also very lucky and honored in that it will be blessed with a front cover painting by Richard Moult.

HH: You have stated before that in the past you have participated in a Viking re-enactment group. To what degree does the Nordic tradition still influence your work, and what relevance do you feel it has to people in a modern setting? Also, do you ever participate or contribute to the work of current Odinist groups such as the Rune-Guild?

TW: I am not active at all in either. I don't think people dressing up as Vikings has any relevance to anyone or anything really. But I would not make it illegal.

HH: As an insight into the influences upon your current creative processes, what have been the last books you have read recently which have left significant impressions upon you, & why?

TW: Mythago Wood by Robert Holdstock for all round wood action. "More Years For The Locust" by Jim Higgins. Gives a good and readable insight into being a socialist in the 60's and 70's. I was in the International Socialists in the early 70's as a no doubt obnoxiously gobby school kid.

HH: Many of your songs seem to display a very English strain of folk influence (such as the opening chant to 'Kneel To The Cross'). Could you explain to what degree you feel classic english folk traditions have contributed to your work, and where you first came into contact with them? Do you feel there still exists a valid English folk tradition, or has that too sunk into sentimentality & irrelevance?

TW: For good or ill I am English and it has a strong influence on my work. I like some folk music. The traditional singer Andrew King is now a member of Sol Invictus. So this may see a more prominent strand coming out. Like jazz, a lot of folk music is crap and listened to by old people with beards. As I am now an old person with a beard I feel I can come out, so to speak.

HH: To what extent does your own personal sprituality affect the everyday decisions in your life? Does this ebb & flow as your interests vary, or do you feel it is something you have consciously refined over the years to become a guiding constant in all physical actions you take?

TW: I am not sure. I am as confused as ever as to what my personal spirituality is to be honest. A pagan who believes in God or a christian who believes in Gods.

HH: In the early 90's you talked of a collaboration to produce a magazine entitled 'Desire' as well as a booklet 'Misanthropy-Anyone'. Did these ever come to fruition, and do you have any current plans to produce or contribute to any other literary publications, such as more issues of SOL or ON magazine?

TW: No, On magazine was a great education. If i become independently wealthy then I might have another go. So don't hold your breath. I plan to publish an updated book of my lyrics. This time as a paperback.

HH: On a lighter note, can you tell us one thing about yourself that you think people might not expect from their perceptions of your public persona?

TW: My long time drag show residency at the Vauxhall Tavern.

Interview conducted sometime in August 2006 by T300.