Watershed frontman Craig Hinds takes a break from rehearsing for the band’s upcoming summer shows to talk road trips, getting nervous before shows, Jock of the Bushveld, and reimagining ‘Indigo Girl’.
When preparing for a tour like this, do you ever actually need to re-learn songs?
We know the songs so well, it’s more about keeping ourselves inspired – every now and then changing something around, just trying to keep it a little more interesting as opposed to playing it exactly like it is on the album. You’ll be amazed at what we’ve done with ‘Indigo Girl’ – we’ve taken the riff and moved it into ‘Jack & Diane’ by John Cougar Mellencamp. So I keep playing that same little musical riff but start singing ‘Jack & Diane’. Stuff like that.
Do you find that these rehearsals help you get creative for writing new songs?
I think any time the guys are in a room together – whether it’s for a rehearsal or for a live gig – there’s always a chance someone will play something interesting we can work with. You’re in that creative space so all sorts of things do start from that.
So are you working on new Watershed songs?
Not at the moment. We released ‘A Million Faces’ in February which was a best of with new tracks on it. So we’re still on those singles and we’ve got a new single called ‘A Million Faces’ which we’re going to launch on YouTube during December or January. So we’re not feeling it right now that we need to rush and put a new album out right now.
But it’s not like you haven’t been writing – you’ve recently collaborated with the hip-hop star Slikour.
I’m on a couple of tracks on his new album, and I’ve been working on a couple of other things like writing songs with Tim Rice for the new ‘Jock Of The Bushveld’ movie which comes out next year. So there is stuff going on, but the stuff we do enjoy the most is being on the road as a band.
So you must be looking forward to your traditional summer tour along the coast.
We really are. It’s fun, there are local places and restaurants we always go to when we’re in, say, Plett and we know where to stop off to have a beer. So it’s quite a vibe. The guys look forward to travelling because Joburg can get pretty oppressive.
Are there any essentials you typically take along on one of these treks?
We always take our laptops so we can work on music, a couple of books, and I always pack my running shoes so wherever we go I can hit the road. I like to get out and see things instead of just sitting in a hotel room.
Do you still get nervous before shows?
I definitely do. I think it’s important to, actually. Because if you don’t, then things get a little bit arbitrary. I usually tell the band when I’m nervous and I think I end up telling them before every show. [LAUGHS]
So do you have any rituals to get psyched up before a show?
No, we’re quite chilled backstage and suddenly our tour manager will say: ‘You’re on in five minutes’ and that puts the guys in a bit of a spin. But usually I’ll test my voice to see if it’s ready and that’s it.
And is there anything you need to do to keep your voice in shape?
The more one plays, the more trained one’s voice becomes. It’s like a 100 metre sprinter who runs every day – he’s going to be strong, he’s going to be fit. So the important thing is to keep working your voice. I don’t believe in that whispering to save your voice thing many singers do. You don’t need to save your voice, it’s a well-oiled muscle. What I do find, though, is if we haven’t played for a while then that gig is normally a bit of a heavy one and I’ve got to get on before the show and sing a few songs. But the shows after that get easier and easier.
- This article originally appeared on EntertainmentAfrica.com.
Nils van der Linden 