With the focus being (quite rightly) mostly on the bands when the awesome double-page spread was published in yesterday's paper, there wasn't enough room to publish the full interview.
Alas, I'm quite an egotistical little so-and-so when I want to be, and I'd really like people to hear what I had to say. I'm not really sure if I'm supposed to, or even allowed to, publish the full transcript of the interview, but I'm going to anyway and just hope I don't get into any trouble.
Below is a picture of the published piece, and below that, the full interview.
What are you organising? Where and when?
'Gigging for Higgins' (all credit to my little brother for coming up with that name!), an all-day charity gig which starts at 1pm this Saturday, January 14th at Golborne All Saints Social Centre (formerly known as Golborne Catholic Club). The event features a total of 11 bands and entry is just £2. It's an all-ages event so everyone is more than welcome!
What is it for?
The event is to raise money for Terrence Higgins Trust, an excellent charity working to reduce HIV in the UK, promote good sexual health, empower people living with HIV and combat the prejudices they face. The money from the gig will go towards a great fundraising effort I'm doing on behalf of the charity.
I'm running the London Marathon in April on behalf of THT and want to raise as much money as possible for them. It was actually music that gave me the idea to run a marathon; I was managing a band a few years ago who had a gig in London the same day as the marathon and seeing it up close really inspired to me to want to run myself. I figured since it was music that turned me onto the idea of doing a marathon, running a charity gig like this would be the perfect way to raise some extra money for the cause I'm running for.
What made you choose this charity?
Even after I had the idea to do a marathon, it still took some time to do anything about it. It was only after a friend of mine told me about the work they'd been doing to support people with HIV and I had the chance to talk to them myself that I realised what great challenges they face every day, not only dealing with the HIV itself, but with all the stigma and prejudice that comes along with it. I thought that if these people can keep facing these challenges and keep going then my own little challenge to run a marathon was nothing in comparison. Personally, Terrence Higgins Trust were really invaluable in helping me understand a lot more about HIV, and I really believe that they work they do is invaluable.
How much do you intend to raise?
THT have asked me to raise £1,500. It's a big ammount, so I'm really urging as many people as possible to come to the gig on Saturday and help me reach that target. I've already raised just under £200 thanks to some kind donations from friends and family members but there's still a long way to go. I know it's a cliche, but every penny really does count and if people can't make it on Saturday they can still donate online at http://virginmoneygiving.com/chrisskoyles
What will the money go towards?
The money from Saturday's gig will all go to my wider marathon fundraising effort and will be used by Terrence Higgins Trust on a variety of projects. In particular, THT do some great work with young people, promoting safe sex and providing advice, guidance and support to all young people concerned about sexual health issues, not just those whose lives are affected by HIV. THT also provide HIV and STI testing, sti treatment and lots of other services which the money raised will go to support. More info on the charity can be found at www.tht.org.uk
Is it tickets or can people just turn up?
Just turn up on Saturday. Entry is £2 on the door though there'll be the chance for people to donate more if they want to.
Can you give me some comments on the bands that you have booked? There's a mix of Haigh Festers and some lesser known bands?
Really pleased with the line-up we've managed to get for this gig. Smitten Kitten and Jeramiah Ferrari practically stole the show at Haigh Fest 2011 and Jeramiah in particular are getting bigger and more well-known seemingly by the day, we're lucky to get them now, they'll probably be headlining the MEN this time next year!
Smitten Kitten always go the extra-mile on stage and fans of old-school '80s rock will certainly love them, I'm really looking forward to their set.
Elsewhere, we've got Golborne locals Skive, usually a three-piece punk band who'll be doing a special acoustic performance, and Little Sister, a young band just starting out but who do show plenty of promise.
Olly Squires is a very talented singer-songwriter who plays some stunning acoustic songs, Rescue the Eskimo have been making a pretty big name for themselves on the Manchester festival circuit and local people will probably recognise them from their set at the 2011 Christmas lights switch on, definitely a band to check out.
In blue Skies have a similar sound to Rescue the Eskimo, playing acoustic pop that should really go down well. Junction 23 are one of the hardest working groups I know, and for such a young band they pack an almighty punch, definitely a band to keep an eye on in 2012!
Colour Me Blind are a three-piece funk rock band who've supported bands like The Levellers, headlined Shires Festival in Shropshire and have the unusual achievement of being the only rock band to have played Wigan Town Hall(!)
Titors Insignia are an awesome indie-rock band from St. Helens who just released their debut album Fair City Riots and have their eye on a spot at Leeds Festival this year, they hit hard and have some fantastic songs.
Cautious Retreat are a solid old-school rock band who'll be playing at this year's Surface Unsigned Festival and always entertain an audience.
Marathon stuff:
This will be my first marathon so I'm excited and nervous at the same time. The training's been going pretty well so far, I've gone from struggling to run 10 minutes back when I first started training in October to almost hitting two hours. I'm seeing small improvements every time I train, which I normally up here at Haigh Hall where I work or around Golborne where I live and those small improvements are gradually making me stronger and faster every day. It's my first marathon so I'm not expecting to break any records, but if I can complete the 26 mile course in under five hours I'll be really happy. It's more important to me that I just finish the course without killing myself(!) but it's good to have a goal to work towards so under five hours is the one I'm going for right now. I was never the most sporty or athletic person before I started training so it's been a big challenge, but I'm really pleased with the progress so far.
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