When asked about the band’s improvised style, guitarist Pat Cahill responds, “We play with this improvised style because it works for us, it’s not like some intellectual ideal we have. We just find this is what works, and this is how we’re going to play.”
Over a five-year span, this London group has released six live albums, including Fallen Reverends.
“Like any other band, we have our influences. We’re all over the place,” says Cahill. “Electronic stuff like Aphex Twin, African and world music, bands like Do Make Say Think — they all have an effect on the kind of music we make.”
Cahill comments on a recently completed Canadian tour. “It was really exciting, each night was a different experience. We were actually suprised at how well it went. It comes from playing in front of new people every night, you want to play something new.”
Since the band alters its sound each night, little things can affect its music.
“Yeah, mood affects us. The beers you’ve had, how many cigarettes you’ve smoked, your past experiences. It all affects the music,” says Cahill. Along with this comes the stereotype of being an improvisational band.
“A lot of people just snub their nose at improvised music,” Cahill replies, when asked about the difficulties the band faces. “They think we’re just wanking away up there. There’s a lot more to it than just busting out solos or jamming on blues riffs.
“We use some sructures, we try to build up a frenzy. The best nights are when afterwards, some people in the audience ask us how we wrote those songs, and what structures we used. They think we’re playing real songs.”
The Riderless perform tonight at the Forest City Gallery with Damo Suzuki. The show starts at 8 p.m.
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