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Tom Felton Talks About Guitars, Wizard Rock, Harry Potter & More!
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Tom Felton, who portrays Draco Malfoy in the Harry Potter films, recently answered some questions submitted by our friends over at Snitch Seeker. Misha from FeltBeats asked him the questions. The questions ranged from the way he sings, jamming with the guitar on the set with other co-stars, to wizard rock. Read more to see some of what he had to say. |
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FB: So, their next question is: "Have you ever brought your guitar onto the set of Harry Potter, and if so, have you ever jammed with any of the other actors?"
TF: Evvvvveryday. That's where I learned to play guitar! It's no secret that there can be quite a lot of time-waiting on the film set. I just took a guitar in... Actually, the first person who started showing me stuff was my driver. I had the same driver from the first film, a very nice guy called Jimmy Adams. He actually played the left-handed guitar, and obviously I'm right handed. But, it was a little bit tricky then to show me anything decent. Now, he showed me a couple of moves, and he's been a great resource. I just learned pretty much from there.
As far as jamming on the set with people, I know James Phelps is a big guitar man. I think he's more into his electric, shredding up the e-string and that sort of thing. He was always working, though, as well, so we never actually got a chance. One of the young chaps, Freddie Stroma (Cormac) - we had a little jam once on one of the nicer days outside. He brought his guitar and I had mine. And some of the crew members as well.
FB: Were you wearing your school uniforms while you were playing?
TF: Yes, I think so. It was a really sunny day the day we played so I remember being really hot in my uniform outside!
FB: And doesn't Matt Lewis play?
TF: And Matt Lewis, yeah! I didn't realize he jammed on the strings! He sent me a message the other day. He said, "Loved the new song; I really want the chords." And I didn't realize he played the guitar. That's cool, that's cool. We've got another jammer on the list.
FB: Yeah, you guys should have, like, a Harry Potter Reunion Tour.
TF: Yeah, that's it. We should have a band, shouldn't we? Brilliant.
FB: Definitely.
TF: Well, you know, when I was in America, I was brought aware of this thing called wizard rock. Are you aware of such a thing?
FB: Oh, yeah, definitely!
TF: Oh my god, I had no idea that people were actually making a living out of singing about, you know, Harry Potter! It's craaazy, man! I find that so fun!
FB: Have you heard any of the songs, then?
TF: The funny thing is, we met a lady once who actually sung in one of the bands. And she got some of her friends on the phone. I think it was a band called 'Draco and the Malfoys'?
FB: Yeah, yeah!
TF: Yeah, it's quite random! And I spoke to them, and was like, "Hello, nice to meet you." I won't lie, I thought it was a novelty thing; I didn't realize it had this huge following! And they actually have gigs and stuff! I was like, "Wow!" I mean, 'Draco and the Malfoys' actually toured Europe! It's incredible.
FB: And have you heard their song "Tom Felton's Kinda Hot"?
TF: Well, I think I heard about that... Aren't there guys in that band?
FB: Yes, but it is from Draco's perspective, see? All the songs in wizard rock are from the perspective of the character the group is named after. So this song is about how Draco thinks you're a good actor to play him in the movies.
TF: Well, there you go. How bizarre! How bizarre. Wow, well, that gives me more insight!
FB: So this next question... I'm not sure if this is true? Snitchseeker wants to know why you change your accent when you're singing. Do you?
TF: Yeah. No, I won't lie, I'm not sure I understand that question. I don't, I don't think. If anything, though... well, I guess the answer is that most people, when singing generically, we all sing in pretty much the same accent. Like American, English, Irish, Welsh, it all sounds the same.
But I think lately people have started accentuating their own accent to sort of show where they are from, if that makes sense. I can sing with an American accent, but it sounds more comfortable to me to say words in a slightly more Cockney London way, even if it isn't necessarily the way I speak. Rather than, sort of, a well-spoken American way. It's hard to explain. But put it this way, if I'm covering Jack Johnson's tunes, I don't sing in his accent, I sing in my own accent.
FB: One of my friends, Becka (a Feltbeats.com administrator), lives in the UK, and she said it is sort of a trend now in Britain, I guess, to sing with the English accent?
TF: Yeah, is it a big trend at the moment, just have a look at Lily Allen, or Kate Nash. However, I feel it's not the trend I'm following; to me it just always seemed more natural to sing the way I do. The songs are real. They're just about simple things in life, and I think people can relate to that.
You can read Snitch Seeker's write up of the interview here. You can also listen to some of FeltBeat's audio snippets here.
Misha is expected to post more of her interview with Tom about various subjects on the following dates:
-Wednesday, March 25 - Part One, The Twitter Interview: Discussion of New Album: In this interview, Tom goes into depth explaining each of the songs on his new album, “In Good Hands”
-Friday, March 27 - Part Two, The Twitter Interview: Musical Background: Tom answers questions from tweeple about how he learned to play guitar and the songwriting process.
-Wednesday, April 1 - Part Three, The Twitter Interview: Music & Acting: Tom discusses how acting relates to singing.
-Friday, April 3 - Part Four, The Twitter Interview: Lyrics: Tom and Misha from Feltbeats.com get into a heated argument over the lyrics to some of Tom’s songs. Spoiler alert: He wins.
Thanks to Snitch Seeker for letting us know!
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