Early Morning Barclay
by Jesse Pearlman

Ever since their 2003 self-titled release, Dublin born group Angel Wire has been a hot ticket. The hit single Run was the first of three tracks that went to #1 in the U.K. and broke the Top Five state side. Dancing Barefoot and Time (Slow Down) soon followed, cementing their place as one of the newest rock groups to keep a watchful eye on. 2006 was a seminal year in the quartet’s career. Their sophomore album Pints and Quarts debuted #3 in North America and in Europe with the phenomenally successful single “Shut Your Eyes” and silenced any naysayer’s that claimed lightning couldn’t strike twice.

While he might not like the attention given to him and the label many have bestowed upon him, things would certainly be different if Angel Wire didn’t have lead singer/songwriter Jakob Barclay, 29. The quietly charismatic boyo is notorious for blushing beat red when referred to as a sex symbol and will go out of his way to ensure that it’s not just his name or work that receives attention. “We’re very much a democratic band. People assume that because I’m the singer I’m the dominant one of the group. It’s all my lyrics, my music, but it couldn’t be further from truth,” Barclay quips with a soft Irish brogue. Humble is one of the words zealously used to describe his personality. I was fortunate enough to have a pleasant early (3 a.m. early) morning coffee with Jakob while he and the rest of the band are putting finishing touches on their third album, Eire, which is slated for release on St. Patrick’s Day. There was something of a sensation when before New Years Eve 2007, one of the songs from the album, Signal Fire was released on the internet for free download. The band has always (playfully) denied responsibility.
While I myself was knackered with fatigue, he didn’t at all seem affected. Perhaps a bit more quiet, but there was no lethargy in his voice or weariness to his well chiseled face. He was all smiles, dressed in jeans and a gray hooded sweatshirt. Hell of a nice guy, too. Bought my coffee and breakfast.

Rolling Stone: First things first, I’ve got to ask about the song that was leaked onto the internet.

Jakob Barclay: [Laughing] Oh yea? I still don’t know who exactly “leaked” it out. I hope someone got fired for that.

RS: Have you considered releasing the whole album online for donations as pay? That seems to be the coming trend nowadays.

JB: We’ve toyed around with the idea of it. Most likely the singles will be available for free, but the whole album will have to be bought at store or some place like that. There’s a whole mess of legality troubles I don’t even want to get into. But that’s what the masses are asking for. So, we’ll give ‘em what they want. Soon, I hope.

RS: Your first world tour wrapped up in August and you spent from June of ’06 on the road and you went right into the studio to record a third album, on top of that Angel Wire is slated to play the Half-Time show for the upcoming Super Bowl. Did you take any time off at all or are you guys addicted to work?

JB: I can’t call this work. Not in the least. Calling this a job and playing music work is like… trying to call chocolate a vegetable. That’s a horrible analogy, I know, but I can’t call what I do work. If there’s any addiction it’s to the music and being together as a group. I’ve got the ultimate blessing of being able to play with three great mates and to share my music with people. I can’t at all ask for anything else. And the whole band did take some time off when the tour wrapped up, actually. All four of us had about a month around the fall to just sort of unwind, y’know? I spent most of in Dublin, back with my Da. And the best part was we hardly talked about anything that at all… well, band or music related. Just a lot of time in his garage, working on a few of his cars. Did a little work on my bike, but that was it. One of the best vacations of my life.

RS: You’ve mentioned before that you and your father are pretty close. Is that across the board with your whole family?

JB: My father, and sister Esther, yes.

RS: Now you mentioned bikes. You’re known in many circles as an avid motorcyclist and there are rumors about a pretty long bike trek. What’s all that?

JB: I’ve been riding and fixing bikes ever since I was 11. One of the most relaxing things in the world is just to hop on my bike and ride for an hour or two. You get the feeling that
you’re flying when you’re on a long stretch of tarmac. As for the trek, it’s just something that I and a few lads have tossed around. Start from London, drive across Europe and through Asia, take a plane to Alaska and then drive through to New York. It’s probably as close as one can get to cycling round the whole world. It’s an ambitious project, but it would be tremendous fun. Just an idea. But you still never know.

RS: Angel Wire has attracted a lot of attention from the film industry. They’re looking at you for a soundtrack piece. Anything specific on the horizon?

JB: Just a few movies, nothing is really set in stone. It’s something I’ve always wanted to try and I know the rest of the mates are eager to try it out. Of course it would be wicked to do a theme song to a James Bond film or some big action piece with a lot of explosions and one-liners. But again, nothing set in stone. After the new album is out and we played a few gigs, I’m sure we’ll have more focus for it. One thing at a time, though.

RS: Speaking of films, you’ve been approached for a few musical adaptations as well as some revivals on Broadway.

JB: Oh God, let’s not even go there. [Laughs] The audiences would walk out after the first number. I’d be scared out of my wits to even try something like that.

RS: Strange to hear that. At concerts people always want to hear you sing again and again.

JB: [Chuckles, while blushing mind you] That’s very kind, thank you. But they want to hear the mates play as well. I’m just a voice. And it’s different when I’m with the band. These are people I’ve practically grown up with and they are my family. I feel most comfortable when I know they are on stage with me and each of us is doing what we do best. Unless they could be on the Broadway stage or film lot with me, I would be so lost.

RS: On the band’s website, the new album has promised to be a little of the old and classic Angel Wire with some new stuff as well as a few special guests. Elaborate for us a bit more.

JB: There are some tracks that are songs you can definitely tell they’re written and performed by Angel Wire, whilst there are one or two tracks we hope that the listener will hear it and then when they find out it was done by us, they’ll be confused. And that’s what we want and hope to accomplish. It might fail or it might bring in a whole new slew of fans. And as for the guests, we’ll keep that a surprise for now. [Grins]

RS: Now you had some time to yourself. This is the question that I’m sure you get asked a lot, but did you have any time to sort of reflect on what the past few years have been?

JB: You’re actually the first to ask this one. But the short answer is no. Long answer is a bit more complicated. I didn’t have long hours where I would lay awake to pretend I was Pooh Bear and say think-think-think, but there were a few nights when I would be by myself. My Da’s house has a great roof top and I didn’t sleep a few evenings when I was by myself. Dublin’s skyline has a very distinctive feel to it, and I feel in love again with the blinding lights and city noise. I’d be in a lawn chair, close my eyes and just let my senses explore. Almost like a natural drug. My mind wandered and I found some very calming places that let me think about where I’ve been, how myself and the band got to where we are and the like. I’d encourage everyone to give that a try sometime. Sit on a rooftop and shut your eyes.

RS: Last, tell us about Clover Foundation. This is a new Charity you and your manager have founded, correct?

JB: Right. It was started after we went on a motorcycle trip throughout Ireland, traveling on the country roads through little patches of villages and hamlets that look like they’re straight out of an O’Neil play or something. But whilst there, there was a shooting involving members of the RIRA (Real Irish Republican Army) and the Irish Police. Most of the armed IRA factions have laid down their arms, but there are still some pockets who think it proper to shoot everyone who doesn’t agree with them. There’s still violence going on that is not being reported. What Clover tries to do is to raise awareness of the ongoing violence as well as provide help for those who are recovering or still recovering. Families have been torn apart, children have been left without any parents and people still live in fear. That’s something we hope Clover can change. It’s a Charity only about two years old, but there is interest growing already.

And with that, my early morning session with Mr. Barclay came to an end. We left on a positive note, with him playing the leaked song Signal Fire on piano for myself and a small group of fortunate on lookers in the all night coffee house. Jakob is the kind of guy who leaves you with a lingering feeling. A feeling that tells you when some people reach a level of fame and success, it is done so through talent, hard work, some luck and of course, being a genuine class act.