ANNY CELSI/NELSON BRAGG/DUNCAN MAITLAND
The Running Horse, Nottingham
LOS Angeles singer-songwriter Anny Celsi has evoked comparisons to Lucinda Williams and Aimee Mann. She joins forces with Dublin’s Duncan Maitland and LA’s Nelson Bragg of the Brian Wilson Band who spoke to a somewhat bemused SUE ATKINSON.
Nelson Bragg, tell us where you’re from, where you are now and a bit about the journey in between.
Celsi, Bragg and Maitland were raised by garden gnomes in Flouncebaaten, a tiny hamlet just north of Middle Earth. Celsi and Bragg settled in The City of Lost Angels and Maitland on The Emerald Isle. Our trio journeyed to Glasgow, Scottsland and documented our travels on our musical CD device The Road To Glasgow during The 50th Summer Of Love in 2017. It was a bumpy road but we prevailed and will celebrate our victory during the summer of 2018 with 20 exciting musical events all around the UK, including Nottinghamshire.
Who’s in the band?
Our leader is Anny “Sunshine Smile” Celsi – vocalization & Box-Guitar, Nelsonian Braggsby is the drum player & singer. The Honorable Duncan “12 Fingers” Maitland plays Box-Guitar and vocalizes as well. A trio of humble troubadours who play primarily Fast Folky Fanfares For Forward thinking, Fun Loving Folk.
When did you know a life in music was for you?
Because we played music, we were always chosen to lead the Gnome Parade every summer. We were deeply revered for our harmonization during the 3 moon eclipse every hundred years.
How does the songwriting process work for you?
Relax on your favourite floating mushroom, stare at the Succulent Moon while drifting on The Sea of Breen and strum a shiny green Guitarone for 3 hours and voila! A song appears!
Where do you get your inspiration?
Mushrooms, Succulant Moon, Sea Of Breen.
Who are you listening to at the moment?
Like everyone else, Little Lord Billingsly & His Band of Bannister Beaters (early years only).
How’s life on the road?
Great! Except for the Spiny Bloated Tribblebees that constantly cross the roadways. If you hit one of those you’re off to the Great Beyond... The Big Sleep... The Goodbye Nap. There ought to be a law!
What would you like the audience to take away from your shows?
“Poetic Enlightenment, Great Joy, a strange desire to float on mushrooms, The Road To Glasgow CD & A Celsi, Bragg & Maitland Moon Poncho.”
What can we expect from the gig?
“Poetic Enlightenment, Great Joy, a strange desire to float on mushrooms.”
■Celsi, Bragg & Maitland will be performing at The Running Horse on Alfreton Road on August 24. Admission is free.