Record Store Day Interview: The View

Scottish indie-rockers The View are celebrating the 10th anniversary of their debut album Hats Off To The Buskers for Record Store Day 2017. They’re honouring the anniversary with a 10th anniversary limited edition vinyl release, that’ll be out tomorrow, Record Store Day! Speaking about the re-release, front-man Kyle Falconer said: “What an album! What a time! Let’s do it again!”

The album was originally released via 1965 Records in January 2007. It peaked at number one in the UK album charts, and was nominated for a Mercury Prize. Since Hats Off To The Buskers, The View have released five albums in total with 2015’s Ropewalk being their most recent. The record was produced by The Strokes’ Albert Hammond Jr. and Gus Oberg.

We caught up with Pete from the band to find out more about the re-release and their love of vinyl…

Hi guys, welcome to Gigslutz! So, you’re re-releasing your fantastic debut Hats Off To The Buskers in celebration of its 10th anniversary especially for Record Store Day, what prompted this decision?
We thought it would be a good idea as we’re big fans of Record Store day, as well as being big vinyl collectors too!

As a re-release, are there any new special features or additions to the original that fans can expect on the record?
Special edition artwork for the lucky few who get the record!

With Record Store also celebrating its 10th anniversary, can we expect any special live sessions from The View as part of the festivities on the day?
We’re gonna be playing five or six record stores around Scotland with some special acoustic performances.

Aside from your own, what other special Record Store Day releases are you most looking forward to getting your hands on on the day?
I’m gonna try and get The Cure’s Acoustic Hits, or maybe Iggy Pop’s live one…

Are you all big collectors of vinyl generally?
Everybody in the band is a big collector – I’ve got old trunks full of vinyl, all the classics!

Do you have a particular local record shop that you tend to go to regularly?
I used to go to Groucho’s in Dundee, but now that I live in Liverpool it’s mostly Probe Records.

And – tough question – what would you say is your favourite record of all time?
That’s far too hard a question, it changes week to week!

We caught an excellent live show of yours a few years back at The Borderline in London, but what live gigs would you say have stood out as highlights of your career over the years?
There’s been loads of highlights over the past ten years! Supporting Noel G at the Royal Albert Hall is definitely up there, but probably headlining King Tuts stage for the first time at T In The Park tops it.

And what else do The View have planned for the rest of 2017?
We’ve got a tour round Britain in May, then a few summer festivals! And back to studio for some writing…

Huge thanks to The View for answering our questions!

Hats Off To The Buskers, special Record Store Day re-release, is out 22 April via Demon. Catch The View live next month:

May 4th – The Barrowlands, Glasgow
May 5th – The Garage, Aberdeen
May 7th – Ruby Lounge, Manchester
May 10th – The Garage, London
May 12th – Tramshed, Cardiff
May 13th – Hangar 34, Liverpool
May 14th – Foundry, Sheffield
May 16th – Old Fire Station, Carlisle
May 17th – The Liquid Room, Edinburgh