INTERVIEW: Beans On Toast

With the cult folk singer set to release his eighth studio album 'A Spanner In The Works' later this year, we had a chat with Beans On Toast to discuss his new album, forthcoming tour and just what the hell is going on this year.

Hi Jay, how are you today?

I’m alright mate, bright eyed and bushy tailed.

You are soon to release your eighth album ‘A Spanner In The Works’ on the 1st December, your birthday. You have done this every year in your career so far. Do you find it easy to get enough material together or have you had any last minute rushes in the past?

I find it easy enough, always plenty of things to write about after all. It kind of feels as though it’s my natural output now doing a record a year. I definitely don’t stress out about needing songs, that wouldn’t be any help at all. At the end of the day, if I didn’t have an album ready, I’d wouldn’t put one out.

On this new album, you have a song called ‘2016’, which breaks down what has happened this year so far. Seeing as this came out before Trump’s election win, do you think you might want to add another verse onto it?

He’s already in the song unfortunately. I had a horrible feeling in my stomach it was gonna go down like this. The song says ”And they’re playing a Merle Haggard song, as Donald Duck steps to the throne.” In actual fact they played the Top Gun theme song…. Which is way worse and a pretty clear symbol of the shit storm that lies ahead.

But although that track is very gloomy, have you managed to create a balance of positive messages on this new record?

I’d like to think so yeah. My songs have always been positive outputs about Love and being kind to each other. Thats not changed. Despite it all I’m still a hippy optimist at heart.

And you are also due to head out on tour later this month. Can you tell us what you most enjoy about long stretches of time on the road?

I love everything about touring. The travel, visiting the cities I know and Love, visiting new places for the first time, the new people, the old friends, the drinking and the parties. I feel very lucky to be able to do it as much as I do. But at the end of the day, it is all about the gig. The actual being on stage part of the tour is the reason that it happens and that’s the bit I enjoy the most.

And are there any particular places or venues you are looking forward to performing at this time around?

At the end of the tour I’m hosting a big party in London at a brand new venue called Omeara. So many good venues have closed over the last few years it’s good to see some new, decent places opening up. The shows gonna be end of tour shin dig with a shit ton of bands, DJs and collaborations going on till the early hours. Going out with a bang.

Although you’d probably like to see the back of 2016 so far, what have you got coming up in 2017?

More touring, more festivals, more writing, more recording and then be back here this time next year.

And finally, what are you planning to do for your birthday?

I’ll be playing a show at The Owl Sanctuary in Norwich. Doing what I Love.

Beans On Toast's new album 'A Spanner In The Works' is out on the 1st December via Xtra Mile Recordings.