INTERVIEW: The Mostar Diving Club

By Hollie Jones

The Mostar Diving Club, is the latest project from the singer and song writer of Obi, Damian Katkhuda. Published by Chrysalis, The Mostar Diving Club is an experimental band of multi-instrumentalists not afraid to take on different styles and genres. After watching and loving the video for ‘Broken and Borrowed’ I snapped at the chance to have a quick chat with Damian.

For those not familiar with the MDC describe your sound…
Eclectic; beautiful; interesting and arresting. Have a listen and let me know how you’d describe it! Very difficult question.

How is Mostar Diving Club different from your work with Obi?
Obi was a more traditional band set up. The MDC is free to experiment! There are no rules and restrictions and in the studio it’s just Will the producer, myself and a whole load of instruments and ideas ……. but essentially it’s still me singing and writing.

What can people expect from the forthcoming album?
Some very lovely music!

What was the writing process for the album?
I write the songs where ever I happened to be; sometimes riding through London on my bike, at night in bed, at home, on holiday. I then take them to Wills studio and start the recording process which is where the fun begins! I pretty much have the idea of how it’s going to be but this can and does change.

What are the key inspirations behind this album?
Life, family, friends…..

We love the video for ‘Broken and Borrowed’ how did you come up with the concept?
Making something striking and entertaining to watch. It’s a journey based on the narrative of the song, travelling through some dramatic landscape with an essential element of humour thrown in.

The band is made up of multi instrumentalists, what is your favourite instrument to play?
I genuinely love playing anything but if you asked what I was best at, that would have to be guitar.

And how does the multi instrumentalist set up work at live shows?
Depending on the set and where it is we take what is going to work for that show. Normally I stick to guitar, banjo, uke and singing. Michael does keys and cello. Will does bass, glock, vibes and music box etc and Vicky does drums and percussion.

Are there plans to tour soon?
We will be doing some shows in London at some special venues, and generally playing where ever we are invited.

What is the strangest place you have ever played a show?
At the end of the line in a train station in Kirgystan.

What bands and artists are you listening to at the moment?
How long have you got?

If you could watch any band play in any location who would you watch, and where?
Nick Drake, in my garden.