01Profile
A Cal Cashin Photo
Cal Cashin
Music Writer — London
03Interview
Name, where are you from?
Cal Cashin, I’m from Southampton but I live and work in London.
What do you do?
I’m a music writer for The Quietus, Loud and Quiet and run my own zine See You Mate.
Describe your style in three words:
Thrift Store Cowboy.
What gig stands out as the most memorable in the 100 Club?
The Fall, last June. Mark E. Smith did two songs sat down behind the amplifier, then the rest from the dressing room. Brilliant.
Which music defines the teenage you?
I had literally no friends at college, so I just used to spend my breaks listening to music and reading books. It was also a good half hour cycle ride to get there, and I was bang into Sonic Youth for pretty much all this time, so I’d listen to half of Daydream Nation on the way there, and the other half on the way back.
A British icon or band who inspire your sound/work?
For me, The Fall are the greatest band there is. Mark E. Smith’s use of language, the way he rambles comes up with these brilliant little one-liners, and phrases are no doubt an influence on the way I write. When he died, I was upset for weeks, but it was really touching to see so many people talking about The Fall and Mark E. Smith.
What new music/bands are you listening to?
I listen to tonnes of new bands in my line of work, so a quick list of my favourites is Lice, PeepingDrexels, Audiobooks, Black Midi, Madonnatron, The Guest, Happy Couple, Mirrored Lips and Hotel Lux.
Find out more about Cal Cashin's zine, See You Mate at www.seeyoumate.com
02Playlist
04Playlist Notes
What was the first song you played on repeat?
Johnny Cash - 'Man In Black'
When I was about 8, I was obsessed with Johnny Cash. I had a best of, that I just rinsed every single day. He’s simply just got the greatest voice.
A song from your favourite album?
Ennio Morricone - 'Il Buono Il Brutto Il Cattivo (Titoli)' (From “Il Buono, Il Brutto, Il Cattivo”)
This is the soundtrack album to The Good The Bad and The Ugly, the most amazing Western Film. It just has all these incredible meditations on the title track, and while it might not quite be my favourite album, it’s been my most played album for a while.
A song you wish you’d written?
Nick Cave - 'The Mercy Seat'
No wordsmiths operate on quite the same level as Nick, and this might just be his greatest moment. Utter genius.
What is the last piece of music you bought?
Sun Ra - 'Lanquidity'
One of my favourite Sun Ra, and also jazz, records. It’s a crazily beautiful album, with the title track probably being my favourite.
Best song to bring people together?
New Order - 'World In Motion'
What gets the gang together like John Barnes’ bars?
What has been your all-time favourite gig?
Snapped Ankles - 'I Want My Minutes Back'
I only saw Snapped Ankles last week, but it blew my tiny mind. They bash these sticks hooked up to synths they bash, and they all jump around in sasquatch suits. Crazy stuff.
Best love song of all time?
Shangri-Las - 'Give Him A Great Big Kiss'
It’s been covered loads of times by some of my favourite artists, but this remains the definitive version. It’s so youthful and excitable, The Shangri-Las just knew what was what.
Is there a song you like that people wouldn’t expect?
Take That - 'Shine'
What ELO does for dads, Take That’s Shine does for mums. This is pretty perfect pop, if you’ve had a job where you listen to local radio all day, you’ll know what it’s like to have hearing this as the highlight of your day.
03Interview
Name, where are you from?
Cal Cashin, I’m from Southampton but I live and work in London.
What do you do?
I’m a music writer for The Quietus, Loud and Quiet and run my own zine See You Mate.
Describe your style in three words:
Thrift Store Cowboy.
What gig stands out as the most memorable in the 100 Club?
The Fall, last June. Mark E. Smith did two songs sat down behind the amplifier, then the rest from the dressing room. Brilliant.
Which music defines the teenage you?
I had literally no friends at college, so I just used to spend my breaks listening to music and reading books. It was also a good half hour cycle ride to get there, and I was bang into Sonic Youth for pretty much all this time, so I’d listen to half of Daydream Nation on the way there, and the other half on the way back.
A British icon or band who inspire your sound/work?
For me, The Fall are the greatest band there is. Mark E. Smith’s use of language, the way he rambles comes up with these brilliant little one-liners, and phrases are no doubt an influence on the way I write. When he died, I was upset for weeks, but it was really touching to see so many people talking about The Fall and Mark E. Smith.
What new music/bands are you listening to?
I listen to tonnes of new bands in my line of work, so a quick list of my favourites is Lice, PeepingDrexels, Audiobooks, Black Midi, Madonnatron, The Guest, Happy Couple, Mirrored Lips and Hotel Lux.
Find out more about Cal Cashin's zine, See You Mate at www.seeyoumate.com
04Playlist Notes
What was the first song you played on repeat?
Johnny Cash - 'Man In Black'
When I was about 8, I was obsessed with Johnny Cash. I had a best of, that I just rinsed every single day. He’s simply just got the greatest voice.
A song from your favourite album?
Ennio Morricone - 'Il Buono Il Brutto Il Cattivo (Titoli)' (From “Il Buono, Il Brutto, Il Cattivo”)
This is the soundtrack album to The Good The Bad and The Ugly, the most amazing Western Film. It just has all these incredible meditations on the title track, and while it might not quite be my favourite album, it’s been my most played album for a while.
A song you wish you’d written?
Nick Cave - 'The Mercy Seat'
No wordsmiths operate on quite the same level as Nick, and this might just be his greatest moment. Utter genius.
What is the last piece of music you bought?
Sun Ra - 'Lanquidity'
One of my favourite Sun Ra, and also jazz, records. It’s a crazily beautiful album, with the title track probably being my favourite.
Best song to bring people together?
New Order - 'World In Motion'
What gets the gang together like John Barnes’ bars?
What has been your all-time favourite gig?
Snapped Ankles - 'I Want My Minutes Back'
I only saw Snapped Ankles last week, but it blew my tiny mind. They bash these sticks hooked up to synths they bash, and they all jump around in sasquatch suits. Crazy stuff.
Best love song of all time?
Shangri-Las - 'Give Him A Great Big Kiss'
It’s been covered loads of times by some of my favourite artists, but this remains the definitive version. It’s so youthful and excitable, The Shangri-Las just knew what was what.
Is there a song you like that people wouldn’t expect?
Take That - 'Shine'
What ELO does for dads, Take That’s Shine does for mums. This is pretty perfect pop, if you’ve had a job where you listen to local radio all day, you’ll know what it’s like to have hearing this as the highlight of your day.