Interview: Russell Lissack of Bloc Party Fame

Now you probably get asked this all the time, but you’re obviously best known as the guitarist from Bloc Party, who are currently on “hiatus”.

There’s a lot of doubt over the future of Bloc Party, with Kele recording a solo album, and Matt saying he would like to try something else. What are your plans and do you think you’ll ever get the band back together? Or will you be concentrating on Pin Me Down and DJing for the foreseeable future?

Yeah we’re just having a break, as we’ve been on the road since 2004 and have a lot of holiday time overdue!

In the meantime, i’m going to do something with PMD soon, as well as djing and working on another project.

On a similar note, your music has been getting progressively more dance orientated for quite a while. Does being a DJ come quite naturally to you? And what sort of set can we expect from you on the Propaganda tour?

I’ve always been just as influenced by dance music as by rock music, if not more so. But if i’m djing as Bloc Party, tend to take each night as it comes, but either way i’ll be bringing the party! You have to balance peoples expectations with the vibe of the club, as well as the music you’re actually listening to of course.

How did Bloc Party meet?

I knew Kele as we had the same friends when we were teenagers. We met Gordon from an advert in a music paper, and then Matt was from friends of friends.

Can you tell me about Pin Me Down?

Pin Me Down is a project I’m working on with my friend MIlena Mepris who lives in New York. There should be some more news on that very soon!

Who inspired you to become a musician?

Strangely enough, it was Michael J Fox, for his role in Back to the Future!

How many instruments do you play in Bloc Party?

I play Guitars, keyboards, glockenspiel, probably a few other random things too… and i’ve been learning the drums, though i don’t think Matt has to worry… yet!

How long did it take you to master the guitar and the synth?

Well, i’ve been playing the guitar since i was about 16, but there’s always more to learn. My synth skills are pretty basic, but i can do enough to convey the melodies in my head.

What’s on the Russell Lissack rider?

Vodka and Apple juice, a polish classic.

Is there a new Bloc Party album soon? Can you tell me about it?

We wrote a lot of songs on tour last year, but its too early to describe anything until its recorded.

How do you write your songs… does it start from sound or an emotion?

It can vary, it can start from a sound, a melody, a drum beat, something i’ve heard. There’s no set route for writing, there’s always a different point of origin.

What’s your favourite Bloc Party/Pin Me Down song you have worked on?

It changes all the time. At the moment, obviously its the most current thing i’m working on as that’s the most exciting to me, which is a PMD track.

Mr Lissack will be at Propaganda in Birmingham on the 12th Feb 2010.

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