A question of taste: River Matthews

River Matthews is a singer/ songwriter from Surrey, and tours Ireland next week with dates at Fred Zepplins in Cork (Wed); Roisin Dubh, Galway (Thurs); and Whelan’s in Dublin (Fri).

Best recent book you’ve read:

The Element by Ken Robinson. Just read it. And then start your move into a career in belly dancing, cos we both know you’ve always secretly dreamt of doing it.

Best recent film:

I watched Four Lions the other day.. Amazing! So funny, but pretty scary too… “rubber dinghy rapids brother!”

Best recent show/gig you’ve seen:

I was walking down Oxford Street recently and passed a window with a live installation… some girl was sitting by a table with neuro transmitters or something coming off her head, while some mad scientist guy was walking up and down looking a bit shifty. I have no idea what is was about, but it was the best thing I saw all day!

Best piece of music you’ve been listening to lately (new or old):

Been listening to George Ezra today. Really like that guy.

First ever piece of music or art or filmthat really moved you:

When I first heard Bob Marley sing ‘No Woman No Cry’ on the Live at the Lyceum album, I still remember that completely blowing me away. When you hear a song like that for the first time… amen.

The best gig or show you’ve ever seen (if you had to pick one!):

I think it’s always gonna be watching Corinne Bailey Rae at Shepards Bush, just after she releases The Sea. I think it was her first show back after the death of her husband, and it was such a moving performance. She’s a proper beautiful soul.

Tell us about your TV viewing:

I don’t really watch TV. But I do Netflix now and again. I’m watching People Just Do Nothing, again, at the moment… funniest thing since The Office!

Radio listening and/or podcasts:

I listen quite a lot to a podcast by a guy named Rich Roll… he chats to some beautiful inspiring people. Super cool guy.

You’re curating your dream festival – which three artists are on the bill, living or dead?

Let’s have an acoustic Bob Dylan from the late 1960s, early Van Morrison, and then the Rolling Stones in the early 1970s headlining. And Nina Simone’s in your tent singing you to sleep.

If you could change one thing about the music business, what would it be?

Cleaner toilets at gigs, and more loo roll. Generally in life, more loo roll and cleaner toilets.

Your best celebrity encounter:

I remember my dad pointing out Brian May from Queen at an airport once. All I saw was just massive hair!

You can portal back to any period of human cultural history or music event – where, when, and why?

I’d like to go back to November 5th 1955 and watch Biff crash his car into the side of the horse manure truck! [It’s a Back to the Future reference]

Unsung hero – individual, organisation or group you think don’t get the praise they deserve:

Let’s hear it for mums and dads, or anyone who is forced into the world of multi-tasking.

You are king for a day – what’s your first decree?

That all shops stop charging for plastic bags. Or give you paper bags. I don’t wanna carry bags around with me.

rivermatthews.com