Feature Interview: Bobby Long
Written by Lizzie // July 24, 2009 // The Interview // 50 Comments
Those who know about Bobby will know that it all started to come together for him when he was “discovered” at the open mic nights run by London promoters Up All Night. It seemed fitting, then, that his last night in London before heading off on his Dangerous Summer Tour of America and Europe would be spent playing at an Up All Night open mic.
Unadvertised and with just a few fans in the audience, it was a lovely evening of good music and good cheer. Bobby and his manager, Phil Taylor, looked more relaxed than I have seen them in a long time. There was a real feeling of this being the start of something big for Bobby; it all seems to finally be coming together.
Before Bobby took the stage, we were treated to the usual mix of the sublime and those who need a little more practice in their bedrooms, as is the way with open nights; some beautiful classic guitar and honey-like singing from Dan Raza, some interesting Brazilian Jazz, and some great folk music from solo artists and bands.
For me, the biggest surprise of the night was Phil Taylor himself taking to the stage to play and sing. Having never heard him play before, the surprise was a pleasant one. When I chatted to him before the gig he told me how much he is looking forward to the American tour, saying that it feels like he and Bobby are serving time before they go, each day dragging a bit more than the last. “It is like we are in prison, and we have been told that we get out at 1.30pm on Saturday when we get on that plane”. To say that they are both looking forward to being on the road is an understatement.
And so it was time for Bobby to wow the small crowd with a few songs. In front of an audience made up mostly of friends who are regulars at these nights, he took to the stage to sing “Sick Man Blues”. In his usual style with his hair covering his face, he played brilliantly, and his vocals were warm and filled with emotion. The song is a new one for me, having only heard it played a couple of times, and so it was great to hear. It was classic Bobby; his London folk-scene sound clear to hear, mixed with a little country style to show his American influences.
Then Bobby surprised me by playing a cover – “They’ll Never Take Her Love From Me” by the amazing Hank Williams. I am assured that he played the same song a few weeks ago, but I had never seen him play anything other than his own music (or occasionally a few bars of one of his friends’ songs). It is a great song, and it was sung from the heart.
One final song was a request from one of Bobby’s friends in the audience, who called out, “sing the song about the field, Bob!”. When Bobby worked out which song he meant, we were treated to a rendition of one of my favourite songs, “Dead and Done”.
Before the audience had time to truly appreciate Bobby’s performance, he was being whisked off the stage to make way for the next act. Luckily, American Indie were able to catch five minutes with him for a chat and some photos:
So you are about to leave for America. What are you most looking forward to about the American tour?
I am most looking forward to feeling like I am living there. I’m looking forward to the normality of playing a show every night, because I know the first week is going to be quite weird and I’ll be very nervous playing every night. But I think after that, with travelling and everything else, I can relax and appreciate everything. It will be nice to not panic about getting on a plane or panic about playing a show; just turn up and really enjoy it. I don’t have enough time…
(At this point we were interrupted by a friend of Bobby’s manager who wanted to interview Bobby. Bobby very professionally answered a few questions and then came back to us. The guy who interviewed him had also played at the open night, a song called “I didn’t mean to come inside you but I did”. Bobby told us a story about how Phil had sung that song to him while they toured in America at Easter and how it had always made him laugh.)
Is there anything you will miss about London or Britain in general?
I’m going to miss London. Actually, no, I’m not going to miss anything. I’m not really going away for that long. If I was going for 2 years them maybe. I’ll probably miss a bed, and a day off just sleeping, but I’m not going to miss anything really.
American Indie are giving away two tickets to see you play in Florida, a place I know you have visited a lot and have fond memories of. Can you tell me a bit more about that?
Yeah, my Aunty and Uncle have got a very lovely little place, it’s a real tiny flat but it’s a beautiful flat. I went out there on a dream holiday, right on the gulf of Mexico and it was one of the most beautiful places, just stunning. So yeah, really happy memories, and I’m excited to go back.
Tonight is the first time I have heard you play a cover, what inspired that?
Well, it’s Hank Williams. It’s one of my favourites. If I can cover anyone it will be Hank Williams. For me he is the essence of song writing and I think a lot stemmed from him. A lot of the music I listen to had stemmed from him, him and Woody Guthrie and people like that. It’s really cool, I just can’t believe more people don’t cover him. That song is just one of my favourites ever, it’s a great song. They don’t write them like that anymore.
Maybe you could write them like that.
Yeah I try, but it’s easier said than done.
Last question, and one I asked Marcus Foster. If you could play a gig anywhere with no restrictions, where would it be? For reference Marcus said the Moon.
That’s what Marcus said? Ok, I would play a gig in Rio, you know on the Jesus statue? On the hand? With a big sound system, obviously cause otherwise no-one could hear me. And then I would have some kind of proton pack, no not a proton pack that’s Ghostbusters, a jet pack! A jet pack, and when I tapped my foot it would fly me up off the hand, and it would fly me from there to the top of the Pantheon Theatre in Rome. I would fly from Rio, to there, playing my songs to everyone in the world, with like, dangling speakers. I would play to everyone on the way, and then I would fly into the hole in the Pantheon, and then play the first gig in history.
Fuck the Moon Marcus!
You had to go one up didn’t you?
(laughing) Yeah.
And so Bobby takes his lovely music and comedy genius off on tour for a couple of months. If you are near a gig then get down there; you will not regret it. And if you are in Florida (or keen to travel), then a comment on this entry will enter you in our contest to win a pair of tickets to Bobby’s show on 23 August at Dunedin Brewery, and drinks on the American Indie crew – Melanie, Amy and Sheena will be there!
All photos on this post © Sheena Carmichael and American Indie. Do not use, copy, alter or print any photograph included in this post without the express permission of the blogger.
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50 Comments on "Feature Interview: Bobby Long"
Woohoo, Sheena! Awesome interview with Bobby!!! He’s hilarious & I can’t wait to see him in Texas in 7 days! I love how he had to one-up Marcus. Sounds like a great place to play a gig & I want to go. <3
Thank you for such a wonderful article! I love how he has to one up Marcus and it makes me very excited to see him next week in Texas!
I can’t attend the Florida show unfortunately, so make sure the prize goes to someone who can! Thanks.
Don’t enter me in the contest Sheena cause I can’t make it to Florida. =( Just wanted to tell you that you did a fantastic job as always! I enjoyed the read and its always great to get good information and humor from a musician and you captured both brilliantly! Thank you for sharing! Have fun in Florida and have a drink for me!
T and I will have a drink in ya’lls name in Colorado!! Thanks again Sheena! Very very good!
Thanks for the great article guys! I love that you cover The Land of Dreamers musicians on a regular basis.
Obviously they are so worth covering.
I am seeing Bobby play in NYC in 3 days and can’t wait. He always over delivers.
Check the LOD out if you are a Bobby fan…
http://community.livejournal.com/landofdreamers/
Oh and I realized that I never mentioned Bobby in my comment (sorry I just love how professional and yet in tune you all are with what I want to read about today’s musicians) and since the article is about him, it would be proper to mention him at least once. =) In all seriousness, I highly appreciate that he values the artists that came before him and is able to recognize the contributions they have made and how they have affected or been affected by the industry. I have heard him do the Hank cover thanks to YouTube and a very generous individual that posted the video and I loved it! I look forward to hearing much more from this young musician for many years to come!
lovely work, sheena! the writing was clear and straight forward, and the interview was really nice.
<3
We really like Bobby, Sam and Marcus. Sheena’s been lucky enough to watch them (especially Bobby and Marcus) grow as musicians in the London pub scene, so we came across them differently than most people did and we try to get them as much (well deserved) recognition as possible on their own merits, you know?
They are so fantastically talented, and we all want them to do well. It’s great to have a big team effort from different sources behind these guys.
Sheena, this is a fantastic interview, and the photos are excellent – classic Bobby! You are amazing.
Oh, yes, and yay for Hank Williams! Bobby has good taste! <3
no you :*
thank you Jenn
you are wonderful
Thanks Jane. It really was a great gig. I felt like I was back at the start when i was first discovering him, and not surrounded by fangirls
and seeing Bobby and Phil so relaxed and happy was wonderful
I love the one upping too
Have fun in texas, and we will hopefull find someone to win the tickets and hang out with us
Thank you very much, and I am most jealous you get to drink with T
one day i will get to that part of the states and will get to meet her 
Thank you for this insightful article about Bobby Long, my favourite singer. It’s always great to hear about him, and especially from his “hometown” gigs.
I loved his inventive answer to the question about where he’d like to play. One can almost see his mind take off on this flight of fancy.
I look forward to more great articles, and to the possibility of meeting you American Indie gals in Florida (and I’d be happy to be considered for the contest!)
Oh, and Phil Taylor played, too?! I’ve always wondered if he did. Thanks for that bit.
Cheers!
Another fab interview.
How can you not miss London though? >:{
The answer to where would you play may possibly be the greatest answer to an interview question I’ve ever read.
Such a great article & interview Sheena! I love that Bobby & Phil were relaxed and had a great time before heading to the States. Feels like a big hurrah! And the whole jetpacking from Rio to Rome with the dangling speakers made me smile so much. I can see Bobby saying that, and of course needing to one up Marcus!
Thanks for always giving us such nice articles to read & pictures to look at. Sheena I can’t wait to meet you & anyone else who feels like popping into NY one day for a show or two!
Can’t wait for Bobby’s show in JUST TWO DAYS!!!
Yes, Phil is really quite a talented blues singer.
And thanks for your lovely comments
I know right? silly boy… how anyone could not miss London and people like us who carry watermelons to gigs is beyond me
I know! I was laughing so hard as he said it, and on the audio of the interview you can here me say “that is officially the best answer ever!” Love it
I am looking forward to meeting you at Marcus’ gig too
There will be at least 4 of us, but we will only be there the Sunday as I don’t get to New York until about 8.30pm on the Saturday night.
Have fun at Bobby
Great interview ladies. I love how it isnt just the same old questions that you here from other interviews. And Bobby’s response to the last question…oh yes, i love the Bobby since of humor…hahaha, still laughing.
Wonderful job.
I wish I was there for Bobby’s gig!!
Thanks a lot for the interview! and great pictures!
All the best for Bobby!
“sing the song about the field, Bob!” haha! that’s great! also love Bobby’s response to playing anywhere in the world with no restrictions. i am so happy for him and where life is taking him. this is just the beginning of great things to come!!
“Fuck the Moon Marcus!”
It’s official–I love him.
Wow you’ve just got to love a young man who appreciates the greatness of Hank Williams and Woody Guthrie. I hope he plays that cover in Philly!!! Thanks so much for the article and your assistance in getting the word out about this talented singer/songwriter. I love how he would fly from Rio to Rome w/ dangling speakers!! What an imagination. I am sending all my FL friends up to read!! Maybe they can use those tickets
Cyn
Love the interview! Definitely one of my favorite Bobby interviews ever, haha.Thank you so much! I’m even more excited (if that’s possible) for the tour. And can’t wait for him to be in my home state, even if Florida is hot as hell in August.
Between their personalities and their talent I swear these boys will be the death of me.
And I’m probably going to be tempted to say “Fuck the moon” at some point in the near future.
Thanks for the article! Great questions, and I absolutely can’t wait to see him perform again in the states.
Just want to add that I have my tix for Dunedin. Hope to see you there, and Sheena–let me buy YOU a drink for bringing us such wonderful interviews. You rock!
oh damn it! i’m dying laughing at the jetpack and dangling speakers. he is so unassumingly funny!!! love bobby, love his humor, love his music, love his hair,lol!! just love him!! can’t wait to see him back on stage
Loved the article Sheena, thanks! Bobby is so talented and deserves all of the success that is coming his way.
Great article..My girlfriend and I
are really looking forward to the
show on the 23rd at the Dunedin
Brewery. We live about 5 miles away
and it is a great place. We really enjoy his music.
Chris
hahaha Bobby is hilarious! I can’t wait to see him again.
Great interview.
The Jesus statue’s hand, really. Interesting choice.
Great interview Sheena, Thanks so much. It is always a treat hearing from Bobby!
Another amazing interview, Sheena! I love Bobby even more after this!
And EXCELLENT pictures!
Wish I was in Florida to come see him with you guys!
Thanks
I am really happy to see you think our questions are a bit different, we try 
Aww thanks
I am looking forward to it
He has good taste for sure. And thanks for sending your friends over
Thanks so much
I can’t wait to come to Florida and see him outside of his London comfort zone
Have fun at the gig, maybe see you there. And thanks for the lovely comments
Thanks for the comments
I wish you could come too babe
Hopefully Marcus can be persuaded to play a gig while you are here in september
Great interview.I’ll be seeing Bobby’s show here in NY tomorrow night and I can’t wait.
What a great article! I like how Bobby is so excited to come to America, and Florida in particular! And for him to cover a Hank Williams song, an icon, is awesome! I can’t wait to see him play live! I’ve got his songs off of iTunes and am amazed at his talent! Hopefully, he will come near me – but if not – I’ll make the trip anyway! (I drove 5 hours to see Sam, I’d do the same for Bobby!)
What a fun interview! Thanks for posting it.
I will be seeing Bobby (and Phil) in Atlanta on Aug. 20 & 21, so please exclude me from the contest as well.
This was a really cute interview. I legit loled at his response to the last question.
I love how everyone over there seems to want to come to the US when everyone here just wants to go to the UK, haha
Fabulous interview sugar.
And Phil played? Interesting!
Sheena ~
I’m so glad to hear that Bobby and Phil had such a great, relaxing last night and performance in London. I think that open mic night was such a nice way for them to say goodbye. Thank you for sharing your interview with us. I’m excited to be going to see Bobby live in August: Seattle and Vancouver! Good things to come for this awesome musician! Take care!
Stacy
thank you
CONGRATULATIONS!
You have won the contest for the two tickets if you still want them. If you could reply here or get in contact with me through sheena@americanindie.net we can sort out details and stuff
Looking forward to seeing you there <3