10 Questions: The Oxford Gargoyles
Today I have great pleasure in interviewing The Oxford Gargoyles. A young group of 12 talented students from Oxford University, England, UK. A passion for jazz singing and sharp attire, their repertoire also includes pop, soul and gospel all neatly choreographed to produce a polished show. So taking a question each, lets interrupt their studies and their music to hear what these talented song birds have to say….
1. What made you become a performer and musician?
Callum: I suppose I’ve just been inclined that way. Someone gave me a piano when I was 6, and a trombone not too much later, and everything followed from there. All music from then was for three main reasons: firstly it being fun, secondly, it paying well, and thirdly, it being interesting. The first and third and the second are generally mutually exclusive!
2. What is your show/future show about and what should the public expect from your show?
Edward: Expect jazz standards, pop and soul sung entirely without instruments. Soupy chords and tight rhythms. Comic skits and cheesy choreography. Black tie and the blues. Wailing high trumpet parts and mean walking bass. In short, expect 12 Oxford students making utter fools of themselves for your edification.
3. What is your favourite Festival or Fringe and why?
Emma: I’ve never been to Edinburgh outside of festival time, but I should think that if I did, I would be in for a great shock. ‘Edinburgh’ for me conjures up images of rushing up and down a busy Royal Mile with flyers thrust at you every fifth step by a weird and wonderful costume-clad performer doing something ever more outrageous in an effort to convince you that their show will in fact be even more exciting than the last. To my disappointment, I have been assured that this does not in fact happen outside of the festival.
I’m sure I would be equally disappointed should I return to Grahamstown, South Africa, in the absence of their National Arts Festival. Here, instead of flyers, there were countless bands of marimbas, African drummers, Zulu dancers and, rather depressingly, impoverished black children posing as living statues with painted white faces. The undertones of social imbalance were carried throughout the festival, but this only served to make each performance ever more thought provoking.
Both of these experiences were irreplaceable, but completely incomparable: so when it comes to choosing a favourite, I just don’t think that it’s possible. The Edinburgh Fringe certainly allows more scope for obscure creativity, but could never be as eye-opening as Grahamstown.
4. What’s your best advice for aspiring artists/performers/ musicians on the Festival/Fringe circuit?
Paarul: Probably to make use of Edinburgh’s High Street stages. If you can find a way to draw attention to your act on the normally busy and noisy Royal Mile – and can showcase the best and most tantalizing parts of your show quickly – then the High Street stages are one of the best ways of convincing an undecided onlooker to check out your production.
5. What is your funniest experience and also your worst experience performing or attending a Fringe/Festival?
Woody: My funniest experience was seeing a show in which a drum was hit very hard every 10 seconds for about half an hour, while ghosts ran about, collapsing on every beat. At the time it was very unpleasant, but time heals even very deep wounds, and my ears have recovered, and I look back at that with a smile.
My worst experience was eating haggis, neeps and tatties with extra gravy at the Edinburgh Fringe. I enjoyed it while eating it, but have never felt so internally ravaged as I did after finishing.
6. As you travel performing to different festivals/fringes, where is your favourite place to vacation and chill out and why?
Natasha: Taking part in a festival/fringe is an amazing experience, but also an exhausting one. There is so much to do and see, as well as putting on and publicising a show every day, and so any downtime is always much appreciated. Last year our show was on at C venue 34 and it soon became our second home. I found it a great place to chill out and meet other performers (and also the hard working staff.) There’s always loads of activities in the evenings and it’s just generally a great place to relax and have fun.
7. Who is the person you most admire/d and why?
Daniel: Peter Griffin from Family Guy, because he’s everything my dad isn’t (apart from female).
8. What is the best tip you have ever been given?
Freya: Never apply fake tan in the dark was a fairly useful piece of advice. Other than that, to enjoy yourself when you perform because it really comes across and makes it a totally different show.
9. What is the best book you have read and why do you like it?
Rhiannon: The best book I have read is The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, because it generates so many different emotions in the reader. It’s amusing, romantic, exciting and depressing, whilst also being incredibly thought provoking.
10. If you could change one thing about the world what would it be?
Jisung: Apart from the Bush administration? Maybe I’d like the day to be longer, say, 36 hours?
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Thank you one and all for your warm, witty and wonderful interview.
Do check the out the real The Oxford Gargoyles and find out lots more about this dazzling dozen.
