Adam Ficek of Roses, Kings, Castles

“It’s just finding enough time in the day”, admits Ficek, “I’m aiming for a release a year”. Making other artists look seemingly lazy, Ficek explains though that it’s just because of his passion for music.

“I play for the love of playing, I’m lucky because I don’t have to earn a living from going out and playing live but I’m sure there will be a time when I have to.” The difference between people who have a passion for music and people that just do it for the fame is a subject very close to Adam's heart.

“You get what me and Pete like to call Lifers. Which you know that if their band collapsed, you would find them playing in a pub somewhere, playing to two or three people, they are those people who have it within them inately, and have to get it out their system, then there’s the other side where you know if the band collapsed you’d see them acting with a year just to keep the fame and the money coming in.”

Fortunately Ficek is the latter of these two types of people and tells us a little more about his latest side project, Roses, Kings, Castles. “RKC were just three words I liked really, it's my sanctuary. Babyshambles takes care of all my needs to hit the drums and let it all out but with that there was an opening to have more of a melodic approach to this.”

A fusion of sounds including hints of Belle and Sebastian, and acoustic folk overtones, RKC echoes Ficek’s simplified outlook on playing live as well. “I’d agree I have a busky approach to playing, I’d much rather play to ten people than go to a venue where a promoter is going to plaster Babyshambles everywhere and charge people ten pounds to get in"

"I’m lucky I’m not struggling, it’s a difficult time for people who have innovative music.” Thankfully though, its not all bad news: “It’s hard out there, but it should only aim to make you work harder.”

Hard work being something that Adam professes in, but it seems despite his heavy schedule he wouldn’t have it any other way. “Babyshambles is a machine, it’s got its own path, I would miss it if I didn’t have the balance"

"I have my DJ-ing, and then the softer, acoustic Indie with RKC, and then Indie and Punk with Babyshambles, it’s a really good balance and a nice place to be.

Roses Kings Castles' next single, Horses, is out around Christmas. Keep an eye on the RKC MySpace page for the next gig at a Launderette or Bus Stop near you...

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13/10/2008
Interviews

Adam Ficek of Roses, Kings, Castles
Best known for his drumming finesse in Babyshambles, Adam Ficek took a little time out his manic schedule to talk about his personal views on the industry.

06/01/2009
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Roses, Kings, Castles official website
http://www.roseskingscastles.com

06/01/2009
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Roses, Kings, Castles on MySpace
http://www.myspace.com/roseskingscastles

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Published: 13/10/2008 at 22:24
Author: Lucy Carroll
Links: Permanent Link

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