Power Up: The Return of British Sea Power

The last time British Sea Power (BSP) came to China, they played in a hutong courtyard, jammed in a forest to an audience of goats and sheep, and busked on the Great Wall. Now they’re back for more. We had a chat with lead singer Yan recently, during which he shared his thoughts on squirrels, stage diving and bladder control.

Some of you guys are from the Lakes in Cumbria, UK. Do you see BSP as continuing the region's great literary history?
Well, it certainly is quite a magical and beautiful place. I can see how it is inspiring and why it was a refuge for Wordsworth and later artists like Kurt Schwitters. I think we find the words a more important part of music than a lot of bands. It seems the most popular phrases in pop right now are "crazy baby" "sexy baby" "in my head" and "going insane.” All rather depressing, really, but it does say a lot about the mental health of the West.

Speaking of Cumbria … Beatrix Potter or William Wordsworth?
I feel inclined to go for Beatrix, mainly because of her non-artistic but impressive output such as being the first woman to be elected president-designate of the Herdwick Sheep Breeders' Association, and also because I like squirrels too.

How does it feel to be compared to Joy Division, Arcade Fire, The Cure and The Pixies?
We really ought to be leaving this stuff behind and moving on. I wouldn't like to sound like them but it would be good to be as brave as Kraftwerk were.

What music would be playing at a dancehall in Valhalla?
Lee Scratch Perry and black-metal tag-teaming.

Do you trust the people of Beijing when it comes to stage diving?
You can trust Beijingers to catch you but they can be a bit naughty sexy with their hand placement if I recall correctly.

Who is in control?
A load of wankers, unfortunately. Over here [in Britain] they are, anyway.

What would you want to be in control of?
Bladder functions and other important physical comings and goings.

BSP’S Five Things That Should Be Considered Art

“Being a pleasant fellow”
“Housework”
“Darts”
“Melting televisions down to a useless blob of scrap”
“Talking in a lovely fashion”

Be naughty sexy to British Sea Power at Yugong Yishan on Aug 3 or at Ocean Midi Festival in Rizhao on Aug 5.

Photo courtesy of Dan Dennison