Your music is well-known for taking influences from 60s psychedelia; what was it about this genre that hooked you in the first place?
I think it’s very much about the freedom of those times, the playfulness and also the unexpectedness, not knowing what’s going to come and anything is possible. It was all very relevant in the 60s, not so much in other times, and that always appealed to me very much.
Your new album {Cabinet of Curiosities} has been dubbed baroque-pop, is this an accurate label?
I think it’s a good label as it covers the basis of what it is. I use harpsichord and strings, things like that, so people know what you mean when you say baroque.
Could you explain what your Cabinet Of Curiosities is?
It’s a combination of songs that are based on experiences that I had in my life and kind of changed into bizarre stories and fairytales and those altogether make my cabinet of curiosity, a collection of bizarre and strange songs, but also about an image I had about a child, Peter-Pan/Alice-in-Wonderland esque, who collects creatures from their fantasy world or tree of dreams and I have a real-life connection to that.
Who are your main music influences?
I think it all started from Sid Barrett, but I can’t really listen to him that much anymore, however he’s still a big influence and he’s like the godfather of psychedelic music to me. There’s also Brian Wilson, Billy Nichols, Duncan Brown who are all really inspiring to me. Mainly people who are involved in the production side of things in their arrangements and the whole process of making music.
You’ve always been keen on producing your music yourself, what has this meant for your career as a professional musician?
For me it was always very important because it was the only way I could really demonstrate what was in my head, like I could only translate the music if I could also do the production. The production to me is just as important as the chords or the melody or which instruments you play, it was never an option for me not to do the production.
You’ve played shows all over the world, where do you feel you were best received?
I think in Spain, Madrid. I like the way the people react to the music in Spain. People are great there.
You’re recognised as a multi-instrumentalist. What would you say is your favourite instrument to play?
I think I’d say bass guitar. I like playing bass guitar, it’s not the sound that I like most of all the instruments, but I like playing it. In terms of sound I love the harpsichord, the melotron… but it’s hard to pick just one.
You were brought up in the Netherlands, would you say this has had any impact on your music?
Someone once told me that my take on British music is more basic which is probably because I’m Dutch. My favourite music is British but maybe because I’m Dutch I look at it from more of a distance. I see only the basic elements of a song while someone else may have a more complete view of the same song, so yeah I guess in a way being Dutch has a big influence on the way I approach my music .
What does the future hold for Jacco Gardener?
Lots of performances, touring, and festivals in America and in Europe as well. I’m currently recording new material but also working with other artists purely as a producer.
Jacco Gardener, Wed 12 June, Gwdihw Cafe-Bar, tickets: £6. Info: www.swnpresents.com