The great Summer Pops Q&A: Sean Francis Butler

Tell us about your band... Who does what, and how did it all begin for you?
.My name is Sean Francis Butler, im a 26 year old acoustic singer songwriter from Huyton,liverpool. I have been playing in this city since i was fourteen. My old band The Sonic Hearts, were signed to EMI two years ago, unfortunately the band split up, so here I am playing on my own. I play classic acoustic pop music with soul and country influences.

What are your influences, what do you sound like?
My influences are all the classic bands and singer songwriters of the past. The Beatles,Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Paul Simon, Fleetwood Mac, The Band. I think its only really worth doin music if you wanna be the best, and up there with the best, so theyre the people i take inspiration from.

If your band was a super hero, what would his or her super power be?
I would be daredevil, blind but sound.

What are you most looking forward to about this year's Summer Pops Festival?
Leonard Cohen definitely is the highlight, I've been tryin to get guestlist for ages if you know anyone, let me know! I really like Deacon Blue as well tho, they wrote some great songs.

What are you least looking forward to about this year's Summer Pops Festival?
Well, I'm really scared that at my show no one turns up, so that is definitely what I'm least looking forward to. Hope fully that wont happen tho, so get down there!

What advice would you give to an audience member coming to Liverpool for the first time?
My advice would be to enjoy the music while you're here,and take in the musical history of the place, and visit all the classic venues we have got. As I think Liverpool has always had the best music and venues in the world.

Other than your own show, what's your hot tip for Liverpool in 2009?
There is loadsa good bands round at the minute as usual in Liverpool,15 Storeys,Bo Weevils,Northern Lights, Sparkwood and 21,Dead cities, Atlantic Massey,Sixteen Tonnes and Molly Jones, the girl who is supporting me at the gig, is great too.

What do you dream of?
Bein able to live freely as a songwriter and just enjoy life without struggle, thats the plan like.

Sean Francis Butler plays The Bluecoat as part of the Summer Pops Festival on July 11.

For details, see www.myspace.com/seanfrancisbutlermusic