Each one of our members has done their bit to keep the ship sailing smoothly. These guys have gone above and beyond to make the Solo Armada what it is now. Get to know them a little before you meet them at the next gig!
Danielle “Get to the choppa” Russell
Sent from the future to protect mankind from the impending machine uprising, Danielle unfortunately discovered alcohol when she first arrived and forgot why she came here in the first place. As a result, our last hope has since passed away in a very disturbing kitchen accident where the lead suspect was an electric orange juicer. Danielle has since remembered the reason she came back and now spends most of her time eyeing up juicers in a very suspicious manner, in the hope that she wasn’t too late.
Kim “The Alcoholic” Sheader
DO NOT APPROACH WITHOUT A GESTURE OF ALCOHOL! The universe does not need that kind of carnage in its existence. If there’s a gathering and there’s booze involved Kim will be there or probably have organised it in the first place. However, she is the kindest and most loyal person you will meet and is regularly spoken about with fondness… just remember the pint or it turns nasty. There’s no coincidence Felix Hagan felt the need to write a song warning others of the dangers…” Woah there Kimmy!’
What’s your favourite food and why?
The chickpea!! Went vegan in January & the chickpea & what you can make from it, has become my new best friend! Though the fried Chick’n from Temple of Camden is a close second that’s saved for special occasions (whenever I happen to be in the area).
What’s your favourite colour?
Purple with red a very close second
What’s your favourite film and why?
The Princess Bride because it’s simply wonderful.
What would you do first if you won the lottery?
Assuming it was for a huge amount & not just £25, I’d quit my job & travel the world. Go see the Orangutans in Borneo, trek Madagascar, watch the migration of the Wildebeest in Central Africa, trek to Machu Picchu. Then come home, buy a big house & have all my mates over for epic parties & gigs.
What do you want to be when you grow up?
I don’t want to grow up!
Who would win a fight between Gandalf and Yoda?
Yoda, obvs!
What is your first memory of the Solo Armada?
Wes warning me not to spill my pint @ LE1 on the first night.
What does the Solo Armada mean to you?
Best friends, new friends, opportunities to experience & share, more new people to meet and LOTS of adventures to be had!
Ele “The Accountant” Stevens
Intelligent. (A bit) Sophisticated. Comes across as not knowing what the hell is going on at times, but rest assured, she does! Mostly. In a crowd of strangers this lady will have everyone talking and laughing within minutes… just don’t let her use real knives and forks as she may injure herself.
What’s your favourite food and why?
Oysters, without question. Because they are the most amazing things on the planet and anyone who disagrees is wrong
What’s your favourite colour?
It changes. At the moment I like ORANGE (it’s got to be bright) but for clothes it’s always black and grey
What’s your favourite film and why?
Can I have 2? Dogma and Chasing Amy have to be two of the most perfect films ever made
What would you do first if you won the lottery?
Did you say what or who?
What do you want to be when you grow up?
I’m hoping to never really grow up but I have designed my business around the music industry so I’m pretty bloody happy with where I am.
Who would win a fight between R2D2 and Wall-E?
R2D2, obvs
What is your first memory of the Solo Armada?
I turned up to the Xtra Mile barbecue (LE1) on my own, hoping to network a bit. I ordered some food but I needed a table number so I asked these three blokes if I could perch on their table to eat food. From memory this was Colin, Matthew & Wes (but I had had some special water on the train on the way in so can’t be absolutely sure). This was before the Solo Armada even had a name and it turned out to be one of the best weekends of my life
What does the Solo Armada mean to you?
I have been going to gigs on my own for years because none of my friends have the same music taste as me. I always feel slightly awkward and would never strike up a conversation with anyone. Now I have friends at loads of gigs I go to, and I class a few of the Armada as close friends. I bloody love them.
Geani “Bear Warrior” Waterson
Geani gave a new meaning to Bare Knuckle Fighting when she chose to take on actual bears as the only worthy challenge. But only bears that deserved it and had a long history of disturbing peoples picnics and shouting “Hey hey hey”. However, Geani became obsessed and the lust for the fight took control, no bear was safe. And so the Great Council of Bears called upon the sacred Po, the mountain cat to help control Geani. The two met and what was supposed to be a fierce battle ended up being quite a lovely afternoon in each others company. Geani now no longer picks on bears and her and Po live happily with one another. The bears are also happy with this situation.
What’s your favourite food and why?
Tacos. They are life. Plus I’m from California where there is a taco shop on every corner.
What’s your favourite colour?
Dodger Blue.
What’s your favourite film and why?
Eek. Can’t pick. Lol. Depends on my mood.
What would you do first if you won the lottery?
Help my mom move to Hawaii.
What do you want to be when you grow up?
A rich dentist. I knew they made good money but after I thought about looking in people’s mouths for the rest of my life, I decided the money wasn’t worth it.
Who would win a fight between Bart Simpson and Finn the Human?
Bart cuz I’ve never heard of Finn.
What is your first memory of the Solo Armada?
I was alone in a bar 5,000+ miles from home. I had been commenting on Danielle and Nina’s conversation on the FTA page about meeting up. Nina came and found me in the crowded bar. I had to leave to pick up my tickets for LE and the next time I ran into them there was a whole group. I never had to be alone again.
What does the Solo Armada mean to you?
It means never truly being alone. “Right here, right now, you never have to feel alone.” I’ve seen Frank Turner…a few…times since LE1 and those lyrics have so much more meaning now. It means getting out of my comfort zone and doing things that I want to do and not letting anybody else hold me back.
Tiggy “Neo” Page-Maskell
Wise beyond her years, talented as hell and always welcoming, she’ll respond to you on social media before you’ve even lifted your finger off the post button. Not just the creative genius behind this amazing website, she plays guitar, can fix your sink & rewire your house for you too! However, Tiggy does find it difficult at times to separate the real world from her gaming. So if she pistol whips you in the face and kicks you in the stomach shouting “TAKE THAT BITCH!” it’s nothing personal, it means she really likes you and you can join her clan.
What’s your favourite food and why?
Crumpets. They make the world go round. And the world is definitely round, and not flat like a crumpet…. For all you weirdos…
What’s your favourite colour?
Turquoise, green and blue, the sky and the sea and the grass all mixed into one colour. If I had my way everything I own would be a different shade of turquoise.
What’s your favourite film and why?
That’a a long list… The Crow, Donnie Darko, The Matrix Trilogy, Serenity, STAR WARS (obviously). Anything with a good story, a world I can get lost in. Same reason I like a good book too!
What would you do if you won the lottery?
I’d buy a house, and I’d upgrade my Playstation and my computer, and I’d buy my horse back. I’d go to lots of gigs and take my friends, and I’d fund the Solo Armada! Oh, and I’d also finish my qualifications to be an electrician. And buy a LOT of classic cars.
What do you want to be when you grow up?
That I haven’t worked out yet! I’m aiming to be an electrician but if I could be anything I’d want to be a musician or an artist or a professional gamer.
Who would win a fight between Gandalf and Yoda?
Hmmmmm Gandalf has magic but Yoda has the force and a lightsaber. I think it would be a close match but I think it would be a close win for Yoda.
What is your first memory of the Solo Armada?
I’m not an original member as I decided not to go to Lost Evenings last year because I had no one to go with. But after a bit of a crap christmas I decided to go to Frank Turner’s gig alone in January, which is where I met Kim and Wes first. I went to the pub early after seeing a post about a pre gig meet up, and I knew I was in the right place when I came across two people sat at a table with ‘penis’ spelt out in badges. That night I met a few other Solo Armada members and had the best time I’d had in a long time.
What does the Solo Armada mean to you?
The Solo Armada is more than gig buddies. It’s meeting new people, it’s friends, it’s best friends, it’s the best times and it’s support during the worst times. The Solo Armada can be whatever you want, whatever you need. It’s more than the music now and it has so much more potential to do more.
Connor “And why not” Walter
It’s well known Barry Norman had a passion for film. What hasn’t been documented is that Barry developed the ability of mitosis and gave birth to multiple copies of himself throughout the years. Many of these “copies” were stored by the film industry and used as cheap extras in many films whilst the original Barry gathered the wealth from their hard work. However, one of the copies managed to escape and sheltered in an old abandoned cinema. Thankfully the escaped copy had only inherited Barry’s passion for film and not his ability for mitosis. And so, Connor was “Born” and ventured into the world.
What’s your favourite food and why?
My favourite food is chinese (sweet & sour chicken balls, chicken chow mein & egg fried rice) it’s just a long term favourite of mine haha!
What’s your favourite colour?
I can’t say I really have one, because I’m a fan of owning things in all different kinds of colours (like I enjoy having different colour consoles, movie & music posters around my room)
What’s your favourite film and why?
Stuart: A Life Backwards, it’s a film based on a book of a true story, starring Tom Hardy (my favourite actor) and Benedict Cumberbatch..
What would you do first if you won the lottery?
Order some tasty food, a huge tv, lots of films and hibernate for a good while!
What do you want to be when you grow up?
A normal functioning human being ‘A Real Boy!’ Lol
Who would win a fight between Gandalf and Yoda?
Gandalf.
What is your first memory of the Solo Armada?
My first memory of the solo Armada is meeting up with the original members in the monarch on the Saturday of Lost Evenings 1.
What does the Solo Armada mean to you?
The Solo Armada has helped me make lots of new friends! It’s truly evolving and I’m extremely happy that it is now a wide spread community for people to be with gig friends when going to a gig solo! I’m excited for the Solo Armada’s future, let’s hope we can start getting some news coverage etc and go viral!
Luke “No Filter” Martin
You would be forgiven for thinking Luke has tourette’s… He doesn’t and just lacks a filter for his inner voice. In other words he speaks the truth, especially when it comes to your Mother. Thankfully this is going to be put to good use and Luke has already been elected (by a secret committee of three chimps – Teresa May, Donald Trump and Elvis were unavailable at the time) to be President of the New World Order. Leading us to a new dawn of insults and penis innuendoes. ALL HAIL LUKE!
What’s your favourite food?
Cornish pasty, because – contrary to popular belief – I AM Cornish.
What’s your favourite colour?
Blue, if I’m not wearing a gig tee-shirt then I’m probably wearing blue.
What’s your favourite film?
In Bruges, because Colin Farrell karate chops a dwarf.
What would you do if you won the lottery?
I’d buy all the things mentioned in Barenaked Ladies’ song If I Had a Million Dollars. Including your love. When I grow up: I’m not a Trump fan but his Space Froce does sound like fun.
Who would win in a fight, Deadpool or Wolverine?
Deadpool, Hugh Jackman seems to be more about musicals than fighting these days.
What’s your first memory of the Solo Armada?
Seeing the original picture whilst doing Brighton Fringe and thinking, I must meet these people.
What does the Solo Armada mean to you?
As someone who doesn’t really have a “home” anymore it’s nice that there’s a group of people dotted all over the world who can make me feel at home. Love you all!
Ollie “The Honey Badger” Dalton
No one quite knows the tale behind why Ollie is named “The Honey Badger”. Some say he becomes a honey badger at night, but then some say this is only during a slight half moon with a whisper of cloud. Very similar to his biological brain. However, it has been witnessed that he was really badgering his neighbour for some honey. The mystery remains… unsolved.
Tom “The Minister” Hughes
Well spoken and mild mannered, Tom regularly takes it upon himself to recite the weight and measurements section of the Bible. Something we all take great joy in. Having seen Frank Turner over 50 times, he is well versed in the ways of gig attendance and makes for an excellent gig buddy.
What’s your favourite food and why?
My favourite meal is a roast dinner with all the trimmings, followed by apple crumble (hot) and custard (cold). Then all the cheese.
What’s your favourite colour?
Blue. Because blue is the colour, football is the game, we’re all together, and winning is our aim, so cheer us on through the sun and rain, ‘cause Chelsea, Chelsea is our name.
What’s your favourite film and why?
Instinct. Because it taught me about the game.
What would you do first if you won the lottery?
Go to the pub and have a pint.
What do you want to be when you grow up?
Content.
Who would win a fight between Superman and Captain America?
Superman, long after everyone had got bored and gone home.
What is your first memory of the Solo Armada?
Standing on the top step of The Monarch on the Friday of the first Lost Evenings, watching a band and wondering what the weekend would have in store. Whilst also heavily eavesdropping on Kris and Danielle’s conversation, trying to work out when would be appropriate to butt in. Very glad I did, and very grateful to Danielle for buying the first round. Within half an hour we’d found Matthew and were 4. And then the rest is history…
What does the Solo Armada mean to you?
Friendship unlike anything I’ve had before. It’s become a community of people, from all walks of life, with a common mutual interest who want to share their experience with other like-minded folk. It’s something I’m hugely proud to be a part of, now that it’s grown to be something more. But it will always, for me, really be about the group of people I met at the first Lost Evenings, each of whom I love dearly. They are people with whom I’ve laughed, cried, danced and sung. Then done it all over again the next night, and the next! We’re a strange bunch, but the best bunch. And we know that the only thing that’s left to do, is get another round in at the bar!
Wes “Craig” Bowie
What’s your favourite colour?
Red with a slight undertone or orange to enhance the colour and really get that “pop”!
What’s your favourite film and why?
A Life Less Ordinary – Ewan Mcgregor plays a janitor that has no control over his life and decides to take control by kidnapped his rich bosses daughter (Cameron Diaz) and hold her for ransom. What he finds out is that he’s never in control of any situation no matter what he thinks, and the best way to find happiness is to just go with the flow and make the best out of what you have. Quite nice really.
What would you do first if you won the lottery?
Be Batman… and fund the Solo Armada… Everyone would have to call me Batman though.
What do you want to be when you grow up?
Batman.
Who would win a fight between Ghandi and Mother Teresa?
Batman. Batman always wins. Even when he’s not in the fight. He’s Batman
What is your first memory of the Solo Armada?
On the way to the first Lost Evenings (which was my first ever solo outing) I remember posting a message in the FTA saying “If anyone sees a random wearing a Weezer t-shirt looking lost on the underground, please point him in the right direction for Camden” or something like that. Anyway, I knew there was some kind of meet up the Monarch so that’s where I headed. Pretty much as soon as I walked in Colin and Nina (who had also travelled solo) came up to me, pointed at my t-shirt and said “Made it then!” I didn’t know what was in store for the rest of the Weekend but its seriously one of the most brilliant and humbling experiences of my life.
What does the Solo Armada mean to you?
1. First and foremost friendship. I’ve made lifelong friends who have seen me at my worst and my best, and they accept me for who I am. The experience I’ve personally had is too good not to get others involved who will hopefully experience the same. Its something I’ve seen happen and hope to see more of.
2. Get out! Get to gigs! See artists and bands that are just starting out or you’ve never heard of and help support those that struggle to do any of the above for whatever reasons!
3. Share the experience!
Colin “The Musicman” Parsons
Colin has travelled far and wide, his guitar strapped to his back, searching for the prefect acoustic power chord. To the far reaches of the Himalayas to ask a yak, to the bottomless volcano to ask one of the mole-men (this is what he has told us and to be fair was probably tripping tits). Wherever there is a pub, he has travelled. Wherever there are no pubs… he has not travelled as he thinks it’ll be a wasted journey. One thing is for certain, he will forever continue the journey, as no one has told him the perfect acoustic power chord… is “G”.
Kris “The Wanderer” Al
Since the first Lost Evenings it was clear Kris was going to be a handful. His ability to consume alcohol, disappear right before our very eyes and then reappear hours later dancing in the window of a nightclub clearly meant one thing: Kris was a time traveller sent from the future to correct our past mistakes. However, Kris is yet to correct any mistakes and has clearly gone rogue. Or maybe that’s just the effects of the alcohol. This is obvious when you consider the amount of time that Kris spends talking to himself but can now be related to his holographic companion that only he can see and argues with.
Mike “The Enforcer” Butler
Back in the day Mike was muscle for hire. With his gruff cockny accent he very rarely had to lift a finger to protect those who had hired him. In fact, prior to Kevin Costner, Mike was approached by Whitney herself and asked to star in The Bodyguard. His response was straight the to point ” Sorry darlin’. You might want a dance with someone, but that someone ain’t me! And how will I know if you really love me?!” Mike now fights rogue llamas for a living alongside Jean Claude Van Damme which he finds far more fulfilling.
Steve “Happy Feet” Farren
Frozen in the Antarctic in the late 70’s whilst out on a stag party, Steve was discovered in the mid 80’s by a group of penguins that quite frankly wanted nothing to do with him and left him there. Mainly due to the fact his only exposed part was not a finger or toe as they were first led to believe. Thankfully, global warming came to the rescue and Steve thawed out over the next few decades, managing to swim back to our shores using the skills he had observed from the penguins and their swimming habits. Just don’t ask about the egg he keeps between his feet… It’s a sensitive subject.
Sarah “Scouse” Jayne Gillham
Hailing from Liverpool, Sarah has a natural affinity to stand in the meat and poultry isle at any supermarket admiring and pointing at the displays of chicken. It’s as if she was hypnotized. She is regularly found sitting on eggs thinking she is helping with the pending chicken uprising and it’s been said that she has a fetish for Foghorn Leghorn. Only music can help distract Sarah from her condition and enable her to lead a normal life… except the Chicken Song. Last time she heard it she went on a six month rendition of the Chicken Song Dance.
Stuart “Melinda” Iversen
And so the bands Scouting for Girls and The Venga Boys came together as asked by the Gods of Metal themselves, and forged a being named Melinda who was so pure in the knowledge of music that the universe could not contain her corporeal form. So they asked Stuart who just happened to be passing by to remember a load of stuff instead to which he said….”Aye, go on then.” Strangely enough Stuart now also has the ability to communicate with gerbils.
What’s your favourite food and why?
Cheese, cheese and more cheese. I have yet to find something that can’t be improved by adding cheese.
What’s your favourite colour?
Dark purple, it’s the slightly jazzy cousin of black.
What’s your favourite film and why?
It’s one of those things that would change every day but Before Sunrise makes me feel feelings. Although the full strength of those films comes from seeing them as a trilogy and walking that journey. Also, Empire Before Strikes Back because it is Empire Strikes Back.
What would you do first if you won the lottery?
Buy a shitload of Lego.
What do you want to be when you grow up?
Someone who is as cool as Laura Jane Grace.
Who would win a fight between The Hulk and a Scotsman?
Scotsman, Scotswoman, Scotsbairn and Scotsdug, they’d all beat the big green prick. World War Hulk would have ended a lot quicker if they’d sent some bastard in a kilt to headbutt the wanker.
What is your first memory of the Solo Armada?
I think the fact that I can’t remember my first memories of the Solo Armada sums it up.
What does the Solo Armada mean to you?
First and foremost it’s some of the best people I know. As a broader ideal, it’s what punk rock should be. People looking out for each other based on nothing but a love of music. Being part of it makes me happy.
Kirsty “Supers” Cuthbertson
Her origins are unknown but it is rumoured she hails from lands beyond our realm. Is she here to simply observe or destroy only time will tell. In the meantime she has developed a need, quite possibly a fetish for Super Noodles which she regularly bathes in. The only thing that may save us all is distracting Kirsty with good rock ‘n roll songs and a dance floor from which she will never return from.
What’s your favourite food?
Burritos – they’re so yummy, very versatile, incredibly filing, can be eaten on the go, and provide Vegan options (I said the V word!!)
What’s your favourite colour?
Blue.
What’s your favourite film and why?
I’m not much of a film buff at all but I’ve always been obsessed with Harry Potter. Chamber of Secrets if I was to pick one. I think they’re nothing compared to the books but any Harry Potter is good Harry Potter.
What would you do first if you won the lottery?
Travel South East Asia.
What do you want to be when you grow up?
An Environmental Consultant OR run a Vegan café.
What is your first memory of the Solo Armada?
I travelled to London for the first time (alone and scared) for Lost Evenings. I headed to the pre party in the Monarch and went to the bar, feeling very awkward. A guy waiting in line next to me said in a Yorkshire accent ‘that fiver looks fake’ (it wasn’t even a Scottish one). He asked who I was with. I said. “Embarrassingly enough I’m here alone”. He said “Me too, there’s a group of us over here who came by themselves too if you’d like to join”. The rest is history.
What does the Solo Armada mean to you?
Fulfilment knowing that I have a diverse, unique group of like-minded friends across the country
Nina “The Enforcer” Leonie
“You don’t. Mess. With. Nina.” ….The exact words whispered by Sean McGowan himself as he turned away from her piercing stare of death. Apart from that she’s amazing and has even appeared in the fan dancing compilation “Little Changes” video! Just….Don’t. Mess. With. Nina.
Harry “The Gent” Massingham
A gentle and polite man, Harry thinks of everyone first before himself. After the original Lost Evenings, Harry put together a momento of the weekend and events for the original Solo Armada members. However don’t let the friendly persona fool you. Harry has been rumoured to start riots and quite possibly some wars due to others not saying “please” or “thank you”. You have been warned.
Colin “Randy Jandy” Russell-Ames
Legend once told of a masked wrestler named Randy Jandy. Before stepping into the ring he would announce, “I. AM. WRESTING!” And so it was told! Randy Jandy would only ever enter each wrestling ring once, wrestle his opponant, win, and never return. He conquered all known wresting rings and his name is only ever spoken in a whisper for fear he may return to impose his rule once more upon the wrestling circuit. However to us lot he’s known as “Colin”.
What’s your favourite food and why?
Pizza. It is the most versatile food in the world. It can be plain or stacked with toppings. Simple or stuffed crust. Even folded in half and turned into something called a Calzone, which I’ve never eaten but sounds wonderful.
What’s your favourite colour?
Royal Blue, the proud colour of Birmingham City.
What’s your favourite film and why?
Scott Pilgrim VS The World. I have never seen anything so perfectly adapted from source material into the film world. Constantly entertaining, with so many references and sight gags that you can watch it 10 times and still be spotting new things in the background you never saw before.
What would you do first if you won the lottery?
I run a professional wrestling company, so the first thing I would do is probably try and book Kenny Omega. Failing that, I’d buy myself a bloody massive house.
What do you want to be when you grow up?
If I could be anything, it would be an announcer/commentator for the WWE.
Who would win a fight between The Hulk and Juggernaught?
Well currently, Hulk is refusing to show up, so it would just be Juggernaut battering a small human, which doesn’t seem fair. However, assuming they were both at full strength, Hulk, easily.
What is your first memory of the Solo Armada?
Well I was part of the group that actually “started” the Solo Armada after agreeing to create a Facebook group chat (if only taking over a country was that easy, we could fuck Theresa May off into the sea). So my first memory would be the creation of the Armada itself in The Monarch in Camden Town on May 12th 2017. What a lovely day it was too.
What does the Solo Armada mean to you?
The Solo Armada is supposed to be about a very simple thing. Offering friendship and, hopefully, confidence, to anyone who travels alone to see any gig, whether it be Frank Turner, Take That or Cradle Of Filth. (Incidentally, I have seen all three of those artists live.) At its heart I hope that is what it will always mean, and that people will know that whenever you see someone wearing the Solo Armada logo, it means you have a friend, wherever you are. More personally to me, the Solo Armada is simply a group of wonderful people who I have come to know, respect and love in many ways. They are people I am proud to call my friends and (not) a cult I am very glad to have accidentally helped create.
Marc “Welsh” Glyn Pearce
At the original Lost Evenings, Marc swooped in on his Dragon of fury and cape of daffodils declaring, “I. AM. WELSH.” And so it came to be, Marc was the ellusive Welsh person the Solo Armada sought and longed for. However, we’re still after a Russian.
What’s your favourite food and why?
Chocolate ice cream. Because why wouldn’t you!
What’s your favourite colour?
Blue. I’m a Cardiff City fan, what can I say!
What’s your favourite film and why?
Star Trek First Contact. Because who doesn’t love Patrick Stewart acting like Captain Ahab in a completely different film and before even being cast for the role!
What would you do first if you won the lottery?
Book about a years worth of gigs to go to!
What do you want to be when you grow up?
Grow up, sit down or shut up? Never!
Who would win a fight between Quicksilver and The Flash?
Batman.
What is your first memory of the Solo Armada?
Being asked “Are you Welsh?”.
What does the Solo Armada mean to you?
A gig family. The best people I know looking out for me. And my only really serious answer here!
Matthew “Curtain Twirler” Quinn
Hailing from Ireland, Matthew loves nothing more than to dance an eccentric celebration of life whilst twirling in nothing but a curtain and “unintentionally” exposing himself to up and coming new artists. They don’t even have to pay him. It’s his love of life that make him special to us all… just point him towards the loo when he needs a wee… unless…you know… that’s what you’re into. When the mainlanders (those who aren’t Irish) inevitably begin the age-old debate over who lives in the best region, Matthew can be heard slurring from the corner: “You’re all from overseas to me…”
What’s your favourite food and why?
Pizza because of its versatility. The amount of variables makes for infinite combinations. Never mind the toppings, before you even get there you have to decide crust thickness, crust content (if applicable), sauce type, cheese type. One could spend a lifetime trying a new one everyday and barely scratch the surface.
What’s your favourite colour?
Maroon.
What’s your favourite film and why?
When I was unemployed for 9 months I did nothing but watch movies so I have a lot of answers: Zazie dans la Metro, Daisies, Repulsion, The Ruling Class, If…, The 400 Blows, The Master, Blow Out, The Double Life of Veronique. However the only movie that inspired a tattoo is Godard’s Band of Outsiders so I’d have to say that’s my favourite-favourite.
What would you do first if you won the lottery?
I like to think I would continue my current lifestyle and hobbies but with the added bonus of not having to worry about the cost. I’d also make sure every family member and dear friend is wanting for nothing while only treating myself to an extravagant purchase very rarely, and only if it’s something I’m gonna get use out of.
What do you want to be when you grow up?
At the minute it looks likely that I’ll end up teaching secondary school (English literature) while spending the summers travelling and teaching English as a second language. Now here’s the fun answer, the “pipe dream”: I wanna be a ROCKSTAR!!
Who would win a fight between Winnie the Pooh and Woody?
Not sure which Woody I’m supposed to be thinking of (Guthrie? Harrelson? Toy Story?) but it doesn’t matter because in the end Winnie is a bear. Just because we haven’t seen him turn violent doesn’t mean it isn’t in his nature, lying dormant. A bear is a bear is a bear.
What is your first memory of the Solo Armada?
Standing in the Monarch with a pint wondering if I had made a mistake coming alone when suddenly a Boston accent beside me declared the owner of said accent liked the shamrock on my nametag. That was how I met Danielle, accompanied by Kris, and never looked back!
What does the Solo Armada mean to you?
I was always the kind of person with just a small group of close friends. It was great because those relationships meant more to me, but when we all grew up and moved around the country/world it meant I had very few chances to do the things I love, such as seeing movies, going to gigs, travelling, or just having a drink and a quiet chat. Eventually giving in and doing these things alone (not the drinking and chatting part) became easier over time with repetition, but I never felt totally comfortable. The emergence of the Solo Armada, and with it the heartening knowledge that more people shared this experiences and the accompanying feelings, was the final piece of the puzzle that allowed me to be comfortable pursuing these activities alone. Viva l’Armada!