No questions about the Dance Preachers in this lunchtime interview with Paul which was a bit of a surprise to him, but we went off in a few other directions:

With Tzigane, where did the interest in 'gypsy' music come from?

You have to call it Eastern European folk music. Not knowing it all that well I can't differentiate between what's 'gypsy' and what's not. I lived in Bratislava in Slovakia for two years and I heard a lot then.

On the Island it started when Donal had to do a Hungarian night at the Blacksmith's Arms. Then Sue and Doug at the Anchor were looking for a band and Donal extended the 'gypsy' songs. Donals the one who has bought all the CDs.

I was sorry to hear about the death of David Ackles. Were you a fan?

John Rhodes put me on to him. I've only listened to bad recordings on tapes, but he was a good discovery. He was doing a lot of stuff and coming from all the places that I would be coming from, a lot of Jacques Brel and Bertol Brecht, dramatic music that not many other people are doing.

Everything on the Chemical Underground label, Arab Strap and Mogwai. Arab Strap are a major discovery. I saw them at the Wedgewood Rooms last week, best gig I've ever seen. Both bands are guitar, bass and drums but you've never heard anything like it. All from Scotland, beautiful music.

That reminds me. We should delve more into Jane Birkins Isle of Wight connections.

Nick Lowe's last album blew me away. I like Richard Thompson's new album and the new Momus and Tindersticks albums. Momus is an absolute genius. He asked people to send in a five hundred word essay about themselves and he would do a song about them. There are thirty songs on the CD written to order. He's also asked for words to be made up for some of his intrumentals.

In view of our location, I also ought to ask what you are reading at the moment?

Marc Almonds autobiography. I never knew the volume of drugs he consumed. I was really surprised. I'd like less of that but more of the music in the book. The new Tony Parsons book is phenomenal.

I know that this idea about 'musical holidays' on the Isle of Wight is something that you are keen on from what you have told me in the past. I think that the local pub scene is strong enough to support it.

It's having the energy to do it. The idea would be to get people over on the basis of a year long 'festival'. You can go out on the Island and see at least one good band every night as well as Sunday lunchtime. Good pubs, good beer, you would be hard pushed to find so many good pubs with music in such close proximity anywhere else.

There's the Spyglass, Bargeman's Rest, Woodvale, there is music at Arreton Barn three nights a week now. You've got the Crown and the Anchor. You could do a brochure and put an advert in Mojo for people to send for it. Get some sponsorship from hotels and campsites. Most of the pubs now are kid friendly.

I think generally now there is festival overkill. Every town's got one. When I go on holiday I spend ages looking for music. Its the uniqueness of the Island and an awful lot of good music.

I'm hoping to catch up soon with Tim Gordine and talk to him about Tin Star. What's your connection with him? (Vic was phoned from backstage in Ohio by Tim one night but we know scant little about Tim Gordine save some connection to a Robbie Robertson recording with Rupert Brown)

While I was in my first punk band someone told me about two brilliant people at Sandown High School. One was Rupert Brown, the other was Tim who was adept at playing everything. I got to know him when I was in Bobby I Can Fly. He then came back to the Island to record with Helen Sheppard. I've got more friendly with him ever since.

There is some good self-penned songs from the Monday nights at the Wight Mouse, Chale I hear.

Last night was the conclusion of John Grimshaw's song writing competition. You had to buy a quart of ale if you didn't enter it. JC is good at inspiring you to come up with good self-penned numbers to get up and sing with a guitar. Everybody falls into that trap with him, but it's a good trap.

It's hard in a pub environment to do your own stuff. JC virtually plays all his own stuff these days. I'd love to see him play Hula guitar more.

Finally what about Tom Wait's as an influence?

When I first heard him I thought 'This is what I've wanted to hear.' He looks right too. What inspires me is that it's easy to fall into the trap of three chord country songs. It's easy to stick to that format. Tom Waits has classic three chord songs in the most imaginative and interesting styles. He's a brilliant icon. His career is like a song arranging course.

Paul Armfields covers of Tom Wait's Clap Hands and the
Heart of Saturday Night warm me right down to my cotton socks. - Mike Plumbley