In our next band spotlight, we chat to Manchester-based electronic band, Factory Acts.
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S] What inspires the band outside of music – think people, places and movies?
Inspiration comes firstly from each other and the instruments we have at our disposal. Then there are all the amazing people we meet playing and attending gigs. We are musical magpies dipping into various genres such as punk & post-punk, electro, riot girl – admiration for PJ Harvey, New Order, Nick Cave, Siouxsie & the Banshees, Sultans of Ping, Depeche Mode and all the musicians that have passed through the ranks of The Fall. We admire all people brave enough to give it a go because music can be a life saver. Movies – from Eraserhead to Zoolander, from Blue Velvet to Blue Steel, and much in between. In heaven, everything is fine especially for the ambi-turner. Other influences are the stupidity, inequality and heartlessness inspired by neo-liberalism…..
S] What are the biggest plans for this year?
Promote the Second Amendment EP, record the long-awaited album, do a few gigs around Ireland finishing off as punters at the Electric Picnic festival.
S] What are the biggest challenges for you as a band right now?
Finding time to record our backlog of tracks. Finding venues that can accommodate our sound. Getting to play festivals. Life, work, music balance. Brexit.
S] How has the mission statement for the band changed and developed over the years?
Our mission statement from Year Zero has always been: “Salford post-punk, dark-electro duo at the edge of the analogue-digital divide, sometimes dreaming, always dancing. Cork at heart.”
S] To what extent do your surroundings in Salford and Manchester inspire the band?
We can’t answer that without also referring to The People’s Republic of Cork where Susan is from. It is psychically twinned with Salford/Manchester in terms of its musical traditions and is celebrated in Susan’s love song to both homes – ‘City Song’. Our video backdrops often involve some local landscapes, and a recent trip to Iceland also stimulated some magmificent volcanic sounds and visuals. We also live five minutes walk from the legendary Salford Lads Club where we played our first ever live gig. Salford and Manchester are major influences – many elements of the two cities are a microcosm of live on earth.
Nice interview but it would help if you named the people you’re interviewing!