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Gigging Northern Ireland recently questioned The Cahier Collection before their launch in Auntie Annies on the 9th March 2010. Speaking to their guitarist Chris Sloan about their past experiences with Babyshambles members, their opinions on the Northern Irish music scene, their sound and how they started out, it gives everyone the perfect reason to get down to their launch next week!

Firstly for those who haven't heard of The Cahier Collection, describe your sound and how you all came together.

I think our sound at the minute is a blend of indie and punk characteristics, but we're all into different things. I'd [Chris] listen to early hardcore punk, which I don't think the others are into so much, but it makes for interesting dynamics. It's difficult to say what we sound like, because each song is different and the sound is constantly evolving. I think it's important to have no limitations in whatever you're writing so we're very critical of whatever we put out, but even then we've so many ideas it's difficult to pin them all down.

Iain was recruited first after Neal wanted to record a few songs he'd written for his previous band, and it's difficult to find a good bass player so we're lucky to have him. Neal, Andy and me all knew each other from school but we formed a band at a Dirty Pretty Things gig in Mandela Hall, just shouting back to each other through the crowd, then we met up a few weeks later to have a few practices and see if it was going to work so it all fell into place.

You've played a few memorable gigs such as the support slot for Adam Ficek [Babyshambles] and a couple of shows at the Speakeasy Bar for Radar Live. How were those experiences?

Supporting Adam Ficek was awesome, Babyshambles and his first band White Sport definitely influenced some of our early stuff, so it was great to see our name alongside his. I think it improved our confidence immensely and it was nice to have that opportunity so early into the life of the band. Radar gigs are a lot of fun, Belfast crowds are pretty critical of what's onstage, which only makes us get into it more, but in all honesty it doesn't matter too much were we're playing or how many people are there, as long as everyone's up for it and having a good time, that's all that matters.

You're not actually from Belfast as some people may believe, you're actually from Carrickfergus. Do you find it much more difficult to get involved in the scene in Belfast?

Well Andy and Neal are from Carrickfergus, but Iain and I are from Whitehead, so even further out! I think when you look into the Belfast scene so few of the 'big' bands are all from Belfast, it's always made up of people from all over, which is a good thing. It tends to make it a level playing field, as everyone's trying to get out from wherever they're from. I think there is a certain clique in terms of the Belfast scene but I don't think it comes from being outside Belfast, it's more a wariness of the new bands coming up, making sure they're all nice people [laughs]

Your first EP launch was in Auntie Annies and you are returning there on the 9th March 2010 for another launch in The Cahier Collection history. Tell us about the event this month in Auntie Annies.

We recorded a single at Start Together Studios in December so it's really the "official" launch of that, but it'll basically just be a fun night to come and check out a few bands. Pixel Vs. Nanobot are a really new band, and its their first gig so that'll be cool to watch a band progress right from the start. Then we've a band from Dublin called The Chapman Society coming up who we're interested to see them as well. We've roped in Panama Kings to do a DJ set also, so it should be fun times for all.

What's your opinions on the Northern Irish music scene at the moment?

Personally I think the Northern Irish music scene is flourishing at the minute. Bands like General Fiasco, Two Door Cinema Club and ASIWYFA are all creating intrigue and interest in the area, which I think can only lead to good things. It's nice to see bands that you're so familiar with starting to get the credit they deserve and diffusing the myth that we're underdogs in terms of the international scene. It's important to recognize Northern Ireland has growing opportunities for young bands and for us that's an inspiring prospect as it wasn't so evident in previous years.

Who are your top three favourite bands in the country right now?

Panda Kopanda are much overlooked in my opinion, great songs and the artwork on their EP is just quality. Alice Kona Band are always up there, nice boys with lovely noise. Anytime I've seen Girls Names they've also been really interesting, like nothing else I've heard in terms of the Northern Irish scene, so can't wait until their debut album is released aswell.

If you could get on tour with any band in the world right now, who would it be and why?

Going on tour with The Cribs would be great, always look like they're up for a good time and they seem like honest guys. Johnny Marr is my favourite guitarist as well too; it'd be cool to watch him first hand to try and pick a few tunes up.

With festivals like Glasgowbury on the horizon, are you looking into the possibility of playing at one of Northern Ireland's greatest festivals?

Yeah festivals are definitely on the horizon, just need to get ourselves organized, but we'd be well up for playing some of the Northern Irish festivals. Forfey always looks fun, as does Glasgowbury, but where we're going next is anyones guess. We're enjoying doing our own thing at the minute, and if festival opportunites come along then so be it.

Gigging Northern Ireland says The Cahier Collection are launching their new CD in Auntie Annies on the 9th March 2010 with The Chapman Society and Pixel Vs. Nanobot! Be there!

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