q&a: the maple trail
Alongside being a member of Belles Will Ring, Aidan Roberts has managed to record three solo albums under as ‘The Maple Trail‘. The third and most recent, Cable Mount Warning, was created across a number of locations, including New Zealand, the Blue Mountains, and Roberts’ home in Sydney, and the result is a sound that he describes as similar to ‘Bryter Layter (Nick Drake) and Tubular Bells (Mike Oldfield)’.
Lip had a chat to him about writing music, moving around, and trails.
Describe your sound in five words or less.
Deserter’s songs.
Was there a particular moment or artist that made you want to pursue music when you were growing up? Who were your early influences?
When I was a kid I always wanted to be a film composer – I used to sit at the piano and work out little bits of scores and make up my own variations on them. As I grew up and picked up the guitar, I guess the plethora of rock and folk music that could be delved into was endless. I used to trawl through record stores and salvation army boxes… my favourite stuff when I was very young was the commercial American folk and soft-rock really, Peter Paul and Mary, Bread etc. Later I discovered Neil Young and Miles Davis’ Kind of Blue.
How do you think writing your latest album in different locations affected its final sound? Do you have a favourite song or one that means the most to you?
I have gotten used to travelling around a lot, and moving house a lot, so I think the frustration of not having enough time in any one place is what spurred me to finish this record. I think it sounds like the Blue Mountains; it sounds like my house and my mind. I think the song that means the most to me on this record is ‘This Dead Moon’. I can’t shake that song, and I can barely stand to hear it.
How do you balance your solo project with Belles Will Ring?
I do the best I can. In the past I’ve never really had any time to pursue The Maple Trail beyond a gig or two here and there. I’d put out a little record, then that’s it. But at the moment, Belles are gearing up to do the next thing later in the year so I have time to get stuck into being The Maple Trail guy for a while.
Where is The Maple Trail?
There is actually a Maple Trail, it’s a bike trail in Northern Canada somewhere. There’s little signs at every turn, with my face on them.
Who do you most admire?
People who do what they love without fear.
Greatest achievement to date?
Surviving the 2000s.
A song I wish I wrote/played is…
I think ‘Who Knows Where The Time Goes’ by Sandy Denny is probably the most beautiful song ever written. I would love to write something as great as that.
I couldn’t live without…
My ears or my hands.
The best advice I ever received was…
Never stop doing what you are doing.
Is there anything you’ve always wanted to be asked?
No, but there are many things I’ve always wanted to know.
Aidan Roberts will be launching his album, Cable Mount Warning, in Sydney and Melbourne next week. Check the facebook event page for all the details!
