Interview: Beldon Haigh
- mikaylabridges
- Jul 12, 2024
- 3 min read
Ahead of the recent UK General Election, Beldon Haigh releases another banger of a satirical political anthem. The song, which is a lovely tapestry of pop, rock, punk and narrative story telling immediately engages with the catchy hook “all I hear is blah, blah, blah”. Whilst the song contains theme’s which speak to a general disillusionment with politics and politicians of all persuasions, the band are keen to encourage people to get out and vote. We sit down with Beldon Haigh about the amazing release...
Your new track "Elected" packs a political punch. What was the spark that got you writing this particular anthem?
I guess I wanted to write about the not so subtle art of manipulation and the way politicians very often use style over substance.
"All I hear is blah, blah, blah" is such a catchy hook! How did that phrase come about, and did it instantly feel like the right fit for the song?
That was invented in the studio as a chant that melded with the funky guitar riff underneath.
How do you decide on the right mix of genres for each track, and what makes "Elected" stand out in your discography?
I don't consciously sit down and plan that bit, I work with feel and the same with the band, so we mess around until the feel is right. After that, other people come up and suggest a particular genre - it isnt something we get overly concerned with.
The music video for "Elected" has some hilarious masks going on. Can you tell us about the concept behind that visual and how it ties into the song's message?
We have been making videos and performing live in these masks for many years now. The three characters are emblematic of many of the worlds ills and their toxicity is a big part of the satire. The masks are fascinating, they were made by mask making genius Landon Meier - they are truly incredible things to look at live, but they also help us to draw attention serious points in the songs and in the music. To consider the relevance, think of how all of these political figures use lies, fear, threats, intimidation and misinformation to influence the world to dance to their tune.
Justin, your vocals really shine on "Elected." How do you prepare for recording sessions to bring out the emotion and energy in your singing?
That's very kind - I try and get right into a character. So , for me the Elected character is a slightly unhinged, ram it down your throat, kind of politician - someone who is better at telling than listening. Getting into that character helps me get the vocal perfromance we are looking for. I do that live as well.
Beldon Haigh gigs are known for being lively and interactive. What's the secret to connecting with your fans during live performances, and any memorable moments you can share from past shows?
Get to know the audience if you can - try and connect with them, find out where they are from, what they're names are, what we have in common. I try and look like it as communication - which needs to be two ways. And always try to entertain. It is not about preaching and patronising. It is about connecting.
It's cool to hear that "Elected" has roots in earlier work from decades ago. How did you decide it was time to revisit and revamp this track for a new audience?
It was quite accidental. I was churning through some songs from years ago, looking for a certain kind of song for our upcoming Fringe run and it just seemed to stand up and say "pick me.".
Well, we're glad it did. Thank you for talking to us Beldon Haigh!
Listen to Elected on SPOTIFY | APPLE MUSIC