How has your life changed since the Slowdive reunion? And what changed that made you all decide to go for it?

Life has not changed too much, but we had a busy year last year. We played 27 festivals and a bunch of shows in the US. Initially we were planning to play only 10 shows, so it was a much bigger workload than we planned for. But it has been great fun and it’s been really lovely to spend time with everyone and reconnect and strengthen those relationships.

As the reunion gains more and more momentum, how much of a priority do you intend to give to your solo work? And how are you coping with the demands of both?

I’m obviously keen to carry on with my own records. I enjoy making them; it’s always been a slow process for me but I’m planning on finishing a record this year.

How has the band dynamic, and even the sound and the creative process, evolved since Slowdive version one?

We are still figuring that out. We began making a record earlier in the year, and I suppose at this point we are just in the process of figuring out the direction of the record and all that sort of stuff. I feel we still work in the same kind of way. There are no huge differences from when we were kids.

What happens to Mojave 3 now?

Well, Mojave has been on hiatus and there are no plans to make a record. I guess everyone in the band is busy with one thing or another, and it’s always been difficult to get everyone together to make the records. I suppose personally I’m always happy to make Mojave records and I believe that if everyone wanted to do it we would certainly make another one.

I prefer more intimate shows, but festivals are great fun

To a certain extent, your solo work is different from the Slowdive sound – more folk than shoegaze. As is the Mojave 3 sound. Which fulfils you most?

Yes, I do make folk records, usually just acoustic guitar and voice, maybe piano, a bit of violin … I enjoy all different sounds, so to me it’s all a welcome challenge.

And which is the real Neil?

They are all real.

The Slowdive reunion got you caught up in a massive festival circuit. Do you prefer doing festivals or do you prefer more intimate shows? How has the experience been so far?

I personally prefer more intimate shows, but festivals are great fun.

Shoegaze as a genre seems to have ‘come into its own’ relatively recently – there was a time when it was considered a bit negatively by the industry. Do you feel this statement to be accurate? And what would you say has contributed to its evolution and change in perception?

It seems that shoegaze defin-itely has a young audience and I suppose it was a big surprise, and very pleasant to Slowdive to be greeted back with such enthus-iasm. It is fantastic that that as a genre it is still vibrant and interesting.

Your lyrics tend to be quite dark, in the emotional sense of the word. Where do you draw it all from and how much of it is based in real life?

I suppose it tends to come from life experiences; the experience is not always literal, but sometimes it can be.

Additionally, I think the lyrics can also be inspired by other people’s stories.

I wrote Wittgenstein Arm about Paul Wittgenstein, for example, because I found his story and that of his brothers fascinating.

What should the audience expect from your Malta concert?

Some intimate folk music and, perhaps, some forgotten lyrics.

Finally, should fans expect a new Slowdive record?

Yes! We are working on it. I am also currently working on a new solo record and I’m also halfway through a new Black Hearted Brother record, so it’s lots of recording for me.

Neil Halstead performs on October 2 at the Salesian Theatre, Sliema. Doors open at 1930 with an opening performance by Stalko. The event is organised by HairyAmp Promotions.

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