Continuing our series of interviews with The Mustangs key figures, we chat again with Adam Norsworthy, The Mustangs' lead singer and guitarist is this month's exclusive website interview. London-based Adam formed The Mustangs almost 5 years ago with Derek Kingaby and has led The Band through various line up changes to its current incarnation which, he feels, is its strongest yet...

Q: Hi Adam , it’s been a while since you were last on here. How have things changed or the band in the last 18 months?

A: Well, the deal with BluesMatters has helped us tremendously – our profile is much higher and we really feel we are working our way up the ladder now. We are well known in the circles we play in and we have a certain reputation. In short, we’re on the map, as they say.

Q: But there’s more work to be done?

A: Of course, there always is. Just being on the map isn’t enough at all. We have always said we want to be one of the premier UK blues rock bands, and I feel we are on our way to that now. The next album will be crucial, as will our next few festival appearances.

Q: Tell us about the new album, is it finished?

A: Well, the writing is almost done. We’ve played three new songs live already and they went down well, so that was encouraging. The songs we have are excellent, and we’re all excited about the album. It has a bit of everything in there again, which is how we like to do things, but there are masses of great hooks and riffs and …well, you’ll just have to wait and see. It should be ready for the Summer.

Q: How will it differ from Split Decision, which was very well received by everyone?

A: I think, as a producer, I’d like to give this one a different feel, sound wise….but from a song point of view I don’t think there’s any doubt we have raised the bar again. The songs just have a very tight, focussed, robust feel to them. No filler.!

Q: How has Split Decision done commercially?

A: I have no idea…we are due to get some sales figures very soon. But as for how many we have shifted, your guess is as good as mine. It seems to fluctuate on Amazon a lot – sometimes it scrapes the top 1,000 or so, then the next day we are down at 10,000. I’m not sure how much value you can put into their chart, or those numbers equate to sales. Mind you, considering they have over half a million CDs on there, even 10,000 isn’t doing too badly.

Q: Do you have commercial ambitions for the new album?

A: We don’t even have a title yet! But yes, of course, we all hope it outdoes Split Decision, that’s the first aim. The second is to outsell U2.

Q: The band has been playing all over the country over the last year, and you have gigs in Bury and Leicester coming up. Is this something you wan to do more of?

A: Well, yes, but only if it’s worthwhile. It’s not practical to just get in the car and drive to any old gig, wherever it is, you have to try and be strategic about these things, cos it’s quite an operation getting a band half way across the country for a mid week gig. We just felt those particular gigs were worth doing, and if we feel the same about others, we’ll do them.

Q: What makes them worth doing?

A: The kudos of the venue, the crowd, the local press coverage they can offer….it’s all about getting the name out there.

Q: Not the money?

A: It’s a consideration, but not a priority

Q: Does the band make money?

A: It does. We won’t be buying any private jets in the near future, but we do ok. We’re in the black, at least.

Q: Your own music and website have been well received recently. Memory Vine, especially. How does that affect what you do in the band?

A: It doesn’t, in any way whatsoever. We all have things we like to do away from the band and my thing just happens to be more music. It’s a very different style of songwriting and production so there’s no clash at all. Even if there was I’m not sure the others would care a bit.

Q: Why not? Surely they would baulk at you doing a great song on your own CD that could have been on a Mustangs album?

A: They wouldn’t know – they don’t listen to my CDs! Even if they did, it’s just not an issue. We are all very comfortable with the band and it’s ability to produce good stuff. I’m sure Ben and Derek would see it as a challenge, but in a good way.

Q: Do you ever have arguments about ‘musical differences’?

A: Do you know, we don’t not once. That’s not to say we won’t one day, but we are all very in tune with each other and there’s a lot of respect for each other’s opinion. It’s a joy, actually, after some of the nightmare bands I have worked in.

Q: So, finally, can you tell us any really juicy gossip about the band – like how did Derek get his nickname Mr Smutty?

A: Oh man, it’s just a nickname, but if you spent any time with him you’d soon see! But don’t judge him by it – he’s a fantastic bloke, he just likes a double entendre every now and then. But then we all like to slip one in when we can, don’t we?

Thanks Adam.