KeithD: Well we're all back now...so where were we??!

Kate: Bloody technology :)

DE: Oh well here we are now

KeithD: Time for a new thread??

DE: I just want to finish that one by saying that Orlando was always meant to be a kindred spirit, never a catalyst to suicide...I regard Mansun going in at #1 as a catalyst to suicide.

KeithD: Ha! Big Mansun fan...

DE: Note how I use flippancy as a saftey net.

DE: Which brings me neatly back to!

Kate: Which - Mansun or suicide?

DE: What Keith was about to ask me....over to you Keith.

KeithD: How well would you see yourselves coping with fame - if Orlando were to become as big as Oasis or Spice Girls?

DE: Right, well. To be realistic, I don't think we'll ever be THAT massive in pop terms anyway, simply because we LOOK off-kilter.

Kate: Is Orlando basically a way of *making* the world listen?

DE: Yes it is....the lyrics may sound like Morrissey but the music and performances and intentionally uplifting...back to that catharsis again. We're both tailor-made for fame in that we don't fit in in the crowd in the first place....so fame is just an excuse.

Kate: You identify yourself completely with Orlando: therefore, a way of making the world listen to *you* ?

DE: Yes, any praise or criticism of Orlando I take personally....some people think that's wrong.

KeithD: You'd rather have people dancing at your gigs than analysing your lyrics?

* kate does both :-)

DE: Oh yes, they can dance at the gigs, then go home, put the record on the headphones and cry themselves to sleep!

KeithD: An admirable ethos for a band!

Kate: Sounds familiar :) I've generally found that people tend to sit around glowing and grinning uncontrollably after Orlando concerts, not crying...but there you are.

DE: Thats good: Orlando gigs should be a CELEBRATION of a bringing together of the sidelined and solitary. Which sounds very evangelical

Kate: But true.

KeithD: Bring me your disaffected and your alienated...yes, I agree. Bands must exist for this reason. How do you see Pulp's Mis-shapes, Mistakes, Misfits stance on that?

DE: Well, apart from Tim being in the video for that Pulp song, I do agree with the sentiment, even if it is absurdly idealistic.

Kate: Sort of an over optimistic "lights! camera! revolution!" thing, you mean?

DE: We believe in the whole Quadrophenia Mod ethic of escaping through looking impeccable and dancing to the right music. Although I can't agree with the Brighton violence! I would not say we're Mods, but we are Modernists, and do like much Mod fashion: music (especially Northern Soul), the three button suits...

KeithD: I think we would all probably agree that music should be a way of life - the look, the feeling, and even the songs themselves.

DE: I hate bands that just do it "for the music" or, worse "for a laugh". I haven't laughed since 1978.

Kate: you have! on the "Just For A Second" b side!!!

DE: No, thats Tim doing all the laughing.

Kate: I am sure I have seen you laugh. What about the soundcheck?

DE: I may smirk, I may smile, I may giggle, I may simper, but I never laugh.

Kate: I just find it frightening that you have not laughed for my entire lifetime.

DE: Well, I'm the retiring sort. And I hate to show my teeth.

Kate: Bet mine are worse. You ticklish? :-)

KeithD: You're not ticklish then...Or is one of the problems no-one to tickle you??

Soozy: lol

Kate: I will!!!

Soozy: How can you refuse an offer like that?

Kate: Have you seen the state of me? :)

DE: Oh stop it now, you'll have me locked up.

Kate: Hehehe

DE: I am VERY ticklish....but don't you dare use this information against me.

KeithD: Ok...hardly anyone uses the internet, so you'll be safe...!

Soozy: Aha but we have mailing lists

DE: I noticed...all this "Please come to Ash's IRC chat, please" bleating! You couldn't give them away.

Kate: What is the point of a band whose only "virtue" (hmm) is drunkenness? (Ash that is)

Kate: Yes...first post to Soulmagic tomorrow: next tour, everyone tickle Dickon!!!

DE: I don't laugh when tickled, though. I squirm and grimace.

Kate: Yes its a horrible sensation

DE: Actually. I've just been reading a fanzine that spotted me making a newsgroup posting....about Star Trek! The shame!

KeithD: The truth about why you're so depressed comes out at last!

Kate: Never be ashamed of Star Trek...

DE: I really must learn to use aliases more...the price of honesty.

Kate: Yeah, be like me, have a billion names and nobody knows who you ARE.

Soozy: Unless you tell them all!

DE: It was just that I was SO vexed by those collar studs on the Voyager Maquis crew?!

Kate: I'm an original series gal myself.

KeithD: Anyway, I'm glad we've hit upon a lighter note now...I'm afraid I'm going to have to wrap the interview up with a couple of questions and requests.

DE: All yours Keith.

KeithD: Firstly, to get the boring bits out the way. Can I have your permission to use some of your website's photos in the interview? I will of course link back to the Orlando pages.

DE: You'll find more backgroundy information on the website if you need it.
Oh! you pre-empted me! weird! Yes of course!

KeithD: I have read and digested the site - even the bits about the dog!

DE: That's good. nowadays whenever someone mails me with "how/where did you meet" etc, I just give them the URL.

Kate: I still like cats...sorry.

Soozy: Me too.

DE: This PC has a "CAtz" cat!

Kate: I have one too! it's called Xav..

* Soozy is jealous: I want one!

Soozy: I had a Dogz but my dad wiped it .

DE: called Rowser..it's the Orlando Nation cat! Darn my employees!

KeithD: I have Creatures...damn things keep dying on me!

DE: I do like the Catz when they dream....wonderful animation

Kate: My friend always tortures my catz with the spray stuff

KeithD: Thanks for the permission. Also, if I send you an email "5 Seconds To Midnight" questionnaire, would it be possible for you - and perhaps Tim as well - to respond to this?

DE: Yes, as soon as we can, we'd love to.

Kate: ...thought you were talking to me there! my initials...

KeithD: Excellent - thank you. And as a last question - a publicity plug for you. Tell me when the LP's out, touring plans - basically, where next for Orlando?

DE: Ok. LP: "Passive Soul": last song, "Filling Space" recorded next week using members of both My Life Story AND Divine Comedy on strings and brass.

Kate: Wow!!!!! DC and MLS!!!

DE: Then it'll be out Mayish.

Kate: In time for my 16th...yay

Soozy: In time for my exams....

Kate: And mine

Soozy: Good timing!

KeithD: In time for another boring month at work for me.

Kate: Solace inbetween higher level physics...

DE: Before then: "Nature's Hated" single out March, as soon as we get it enough radio play, then a further single, "Don't Sleep Alone" for the summer (it's a very summery song).

DE: And we're also planning a tour of schools around the country, and will doubtless play live as soon as feasible.

Kate: If you dont come to my school I will set the manic on you

DE: ...Melody Maker reviews permitting, that is.

KeithD: Forget the MM - fanzine's are where it's at!!

Kate: Yes!

DE: oh definitely....fanzine's are always wonderful....especially the Orlando-friendly ones.

* kate 's fanzine is turning into an orlando worship site. my fellow authors are getting v annoyed :-)

KeithD: Happy Hopper are Orlando-friendly - I will definitely catch you in Edinburgh when you play and review it. Any gigs coming near there? The Cas Rock one was cancelled.

DE: I know, Keith, I'm very sorry: we had a slew of difficulties, throat infections, promoter problems, album deadlines yawn yawn yawn....but we WILL play Edinburgh soon.

Soozy: And any chance of coming to Birmingham? Everyone avoids it like the plague!

DE: Birmingham...I would have thought so...it's just that we want Natures Hated to be seller first, then we can not worry about playing to two dogs and a packet of crisps.

Soozy: lol

Kate: hehehehehehe

Soozy: Well I'll be there...if its not in the uni holidays that is.

DE: Oh no, it'll be very uni-friendly.

KeithD: Anyway, a huge thank you to you Dickon for your time and effort in answering these questions - much appreciated.

Kate: Yes thankyou Dickon!

Soozy: Thankyou

KeithD: And good luck with the future singles and lps.

DE: Thank you Keith: wish you all the greatest success with the fanzine.

KeithD: Thanx also to Soozy and Kate - everyone will be emailed when the interview goes on-line.

Soozy: Great! Fame at last!

Kate: k