Playlouder - Music is the Network

Derek Meins aka The Famous Poet Derek Meins couldn't be a more perfect act to head for Glastonbury this weekend. Formerly the frontman of indie tykes Eastern Lane, Derek will be bringing his delightfully original mix of anarchic performance and rockabilly indie songs to the Green Peace Cafe Tango Stage on Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th June.

On the eve of his debut album release, we caught up with the future Poet Laureate this week to ask him some searching questions about his expectations of Glastonbury....

Q:Have you been to the Festival before? 

A: I've never been before.

Q: What is your drink of choice at Glastonbury?

A:My drink of choice, as ever, will be gin.

Q:Do you spend the Festival living in luxury, or down with the masses in a tent?

A: I'm sure i will spend most of my time down in the dirt, I find it hard to believe there is much living in luxury to be done at a festival!

Q: Who do you most want to see of the other performers appearing at this year’s Festival?

A: I'm looking forward to seeing all of my friends who are playing on the same stage as me, like mumford and sons, the golden silvers and josh weller etc. I think we may even all try to get up and do a mass sing along.

Q: How do you choose what to play at a Festival? Do you play your favourites or the crowd’s?

A: I'm just going to play as I would anywhere else. Maybe through in some banter about tents or lack of sleep and cleanliness!

Q: Who's influenced your performance/on stage style?

A: Lots of things. Obvious things like the cramps and tom waits dvd's I've seen but also more theatrical performances and poets too.

Q: How will you be dressing at the Festival? T-shirt and shorts or Sunday best?

A: I don't think I own any t-shirts and shorts so i suppose it will be Sunday best. Although the idea of ruining good clothes doesn't sound very attractive so maybe I'll opt for a bin liner!

Q: No sleep until Monday or tucked-up in bed with your ear-plugs every night?

A: I have no tent so I imagine it will be up till monday.

Q: Given Glastonbury’s reputation, will you be buying crystals and looking for ley lines?

A: I don't think I'll be looking for leylines. It seems all that stuff is pretty far from bands and djs and people drinking all night so I think I'll give it a miss!

Q: What was the first song you ever wrote? And how old were you?

A: The first song I ever wrote with music rather than just being the lyrics was when I was 12, I can still remember bits of it. It was called "Tell them its going to end" and had lyrics in it about my aunt buying my cousin school shoes. As far as I can remember it was woeful.

Q: What one song, by another performer, do you wish you had written?

A: Goodnight Irene by Leadbelly

Q: How is your record collection made up, vinyl, tape, CD or download?

A: Boring but completely of cds.

Q: Assuming you’re not a fully trained meteorologist, what’s your gut instinct on this year’s Festival weather? Sunshine or rain?

A: Sunshine all the way!

Q: If you could ask yourself an interview question, what would it be and what’s the answer?

A: The question would be: would you like a drink, a wad of cash and a packet of cigarettes? The answer would be yes.

'The Famous Poet' by Derek Meins is out now on 1965 Records