The start of
something unique...

James

1.What did it feel like to win the competition?
It was a great feeling, totally unexpected.

2. What was the highlight of the tour?
The last track 'Whirring' when they decided to trash their instruments, they always string that track out but that was the best end I’ve seen to a gig in a long time, what a way to end the tour.

3. Which was your favourite gig and venue?
Probably the first night in Manchester. Victoria Baths was just a great location. The echo from when the band did their acoustic campfire session was just incredible. Considering they were playing huge venues across the states with the Foo Fighters not long before this, it really did feel like a truly memorable one-off experience. I loved hearing the new track 'Silent Treatment' in that setting.

4. What is your best piece of footage?
I'd have to say walking into Victoria Baths on the first night, and getting a sense of what Clarks Originals had put together. It just looked like the start of three completely unique gigs - and it was!

5. Would you go on tour again?
Definitely, I actually just got off a separate tour last week!

6. Was there anything you wished you'd filmed but didn't?
I would've liked to film a few more of the encounters with the band - most notably casually bumping into the drummer Matt at a takeaway after the show. They're a fan of cheesy chips incase you were wondering.

7. What were the band like to interview?
Yeah great, they were really receptive and I had a great time talking to them. Although I had some questions pre-planned, it just flowed into a casual conversation at times. Those are the best kind of interviews in my opinion.

Koji

1. What did it feel like to win the competition?
I just could not believe my eyes. I've finally won the miraculous chance for join the tour with a proper rock band. I said Ohhhh YEAHHHH

2. Did you meet the band?
I talked with band after the final show in London. They are great musicians and create a fun atmosphere, although sometimes I got the impression of loneliness from a long tour and recording. That may be the fate of great musicians.

3. Which was your favourite gig and venue?
I really loved watching the gig in the swimming pool at Victoria Baths in Manchester; construction of Europe and Asia is completely different from Japanese. The historical space made a brilliant atmosphere for a mini camp fire. This was one amazing night taking place at a venue I will never get the chance to go to again. All in all, fantastic.

4. What did you think of Clarks Orignals and The Joy Formidable working together?
Naturally they were fit for the style of the Clarks Originals, I think that they are really creative people and musicians. Ska, reggae, punk and rock, clearly they are true musicians of this age.

5. What is your best piece of footage?
I like the interview footage with them, as everyone is unique.

6. Would you do it again?
If I can get the chance I would love to join the tour again.

7. What did you talk to the band about when you interviewed them?
They toured in Japan couple of years ago so we talked about the experiences for me at that time.
The band's first Album " The Big Roar" which included the track seven called "Maruyama", they visited the Maruyama shrines in Kyoto, Japan. The melody is similar to traditional Japanese sound.

Andrea

1. What did it feel like to win the competition?
It was a big and unexpected surprise. I couldn't quite believe it when I first received the "you're a winner" e-mail.

2. What was the highlight of the tour?
Definitely the after-concert parties with the band and all the crew. It was so nice getting to know the band, chatting a while with them and getting to know some of their friends - while their music was still ringing in my ears.

3. Which was your favourite gig and venue?
Manchester for sure. The venue was simply awesome and the acoustics there were captivating and powerful. Also, it was the first time I got to see the TJF live, something I am not likely to forget in a while!

4. Did you think Clarks Originals and the joy formidable were a good fit together?
Yes they were. The tour was very well organised and the people from Clarks Originals I met were really nice and you could see they loved good music just like us.

5. What is your best piece of footage?
When I'm playing the hoodie in a Bristol alley, speaking about the concert we've just seen.

6. Would you go on tour again?
The answer is a big YES.

7. Was there anything you wished you'd filmed but didn't?
Maybe I should have recorded the after-concert parties some more, but I was so busy having a great time and drinking beer...

8. What were the band like to interview?
I was a bit nervous at the beginning, but they were very nice and so, after 30 seconds, it was like I was speaking with some friends of mine. Another big emotion!