‘Trip hop is dead’

In the late 90s, Morcheeba harnessed some of Bristol’s trip hop vibe to create a soothing post-trip hop sound. Laura Williams talks to lead singer Skye Edwards as the group prepare to play one of just two UK dates on their world tour at the Trinity.

What does trip hop mean to you?

To me it means trippy hip hop – hip hop beats slowed down with mellow vocals instead of fast rap. It’s a label we were given at the start of our career when people heard our first single, Trigger Hippie. I feel that we out grew that label, by our second album, Big Calm, which had elements of country, soul, pop, reggae. The trip hop label feels dated now: ‘that Trip Hop band from the 90s’. It’s funny cos there are eight Morcheeba albums, only two of which were released in the 90s. 

You’re playing Trinity Centre, a converted church. What’s the most spectacular venue you’ve ever played?

There have been a few! Performing at The Royal Albert Hall in London was quite spectacular. Also loved playing at the Hollywood Bowl in LA. Glastonbury, was very special. And most recently, a beautiful cove in Cornwall, called Lusty Glaze. Singing ‘The Sea’ whilst looking at the sea was amazing! 

Your new website’s wonderfully colourful – does that reflect your new direction with the music?

In a way, I guess it does. The latest Morcheeba album Head Up High is more up-tempo in parts but it still has moments of tenderness and melancholy too, with songs such as I’ll Fall Apart and Under The Ice. Before we started writing for this album we talked a lot about the type of record we wanted to make and agreed that it should have a more energetic feel. Paul (Godfrey) describes it as ‘Morcheeba with a pulse!’

You’ve got a #morcheebalive photo competition on at the moment – some artists ban photography at their gigs, you’re obviously of another school of thought?

I heard that Kate Bush banned photography and filming at her recent run of shows at the Hammersmith Apollo. I can understand that completely. We don’t ban filming at our shoes but there was this one time when I took an iphone/camera from a guy in the front row of one our gigs. He had it in front of his face filming, for three songs in a row. ‘Excuse me sir, you’re missing the whole show’ I told him, in the politest way. ‘It’ll never be as good when you watch it back. Plus the tiny little mic on that phone won’t capture the beautiful sound of this hall.’ Everyone cheered in agreement. I took a selfie with his camera and gave it back to him at the end of the show.

Tell us something about you we won’t know.

I’m the youngest of 8 children. I didn’t grow up with my biological mother. I have no idea who my biological father is. I was fostered from the age of three months to white parents. That’s a few somethings you didn’t know! 

Morcheeba play the Trinity Centre on October 19. Tickets £22.50 adv from www.3ca.org.uk

Photograph by Alex Lake