Baybeats: Ally Kerr does not sing to aliens

Despite looking like a descendant of sage dandy Oscar Wilde, Ally Kerr is far from being provocatively coy (and neither is he Irish). Singer/songwriter Kerr plays tuneful, rueful acoustic melodies that seem to twinkle and dance along the edge of consciousness. He has yet to hit the big time, but his latest release, Off The Radar, has been hailed by critics the world over. Ally Kerr will play at the Chillout Stage (Concourse) on day one of Baybeats ‘09, 28 August 2009.

What have you been up to lately?
I’m still promoting Off The Radar, plus I’ve been playing a few shows in Europe in recent months and working at home preparing my third album by recording demos. I’m really excited about how the songs are sounding and can’t wait to record them properly in a studio. I also just put together a new backing band, who are sounding great.

Are you a big fan of Mushishi (on whose theme your ‘The Sore Feet Song’ is based on)?
It’s a show I’ve dipped in to and thought it was beautifully made with a refreshingly slow, gentle pace. Perfect for these rushed times where we’re all blasted and overloaded with information.

Is the animated music video for ‘Amorino’ based on real-life experience? Being pelted with veg and a kitchen sink that is, not singing to aliens.
I would love to sing to aliens in real life though. The closest I got was when I lived at my parents’ place and I often would sing to Archie, the family dog. Well, I guess the story was based on feeling a bit fed up but believing totally in what I do and maybe having to venture to a very different place to make the connection. I’ve never been pelted when I’m singing, though in Aberdeen someone once asked me to play an Elvis song.

A disproportionate number of Scots have been hailed as geniuses. Why do you think this is?
Maybe the weather? It’s unpredictable and rains quite a bit so maybe people sit inside and think of ideas?

WORDS JASON PHOTOS THE ESPLANADE CO LTD
www.myspace.com/allykerr

*Taken from Junk's July 2009 issue. Click HERE for more details on Baybeats '09, and on these links: Baybeats '09 t-shirt comp, the Festival Village, as well as interviews with Chris Collingwood, Opposition Party, RNRM and In Each Hand A Cutlass!