That lovely bloke Minotaur Shock decided we were worthy enough of an interview and not only that, he has a new compilation album out entitled 'Rinse'. Mr Shock is a multi-intrumentalist solo artist and also a member of the band Bronze Age Fox. Just don't mention 'folktronica'...

'Rinse' is out now on Melodic.

Afternoon, how's life treating you?

Very well, actually. Just had a sausage sandwich and a pint and now I got that nice Friday afternoon feelin. This afternoon I am designing a corporate Xmas card would you believe.

So what made you release 'Rinse'?

Mostly David Cooper, Managing Director of the Melodic Records Group. And I thought it would buy me more time to work on the next proper album because I have been really busy with other projects for the last year and I didn't want to let the kids down. Plus my mum doesn't have a record player so its nice that the old dear can listen to her favourite son meddling with a sampler on CD whilst she does the ironing.

Can we expect new material next year?

I certainly hope so, although the where's and whyfore's are still up in the air. I've been working on tracks on and off for a year, but hopefully I'll be able to sit down soon and stick them together with Minotape.

Any interesting collaborations lined up? I play a mean kazoo if you are interested.

Kazoo is the devil's flute. I have just finished a couple of tracks with a clarinet player and I've got some fiddle going on. And I was up late last night wrestling with a massive accordion. That did my head in and I think I strained my wrist. Again. But yes, I certainly aim to get more musicians on the next record, but no-one famous unless they want to. It's tricky when you can't pay people. No I don't mean that I'm collaborating with Tricky cos he does it for free.

They say men with beards have something to hide...what's your secret?

Barely concealed double chin. And I'd have a full beard if hair grew on my cheeks. But I haven't got that far yet.

How's your band Bronze Age Fox going?

Onwards and upwards. Our continuing experiment into making proper pop music is time-consuming but rewarding. Hopefully one day the world will realise what they are missing, but I guess we need to put some records out first. Keep your eye out in the new year though, we're releasing 3 different singles on shaped clear vinyl over a period of 3 months. On Bagatelle Records.

Do you collect anything interesting? Vinyl doesn't count.

Dust, mostly. And every year I go to the Scout Auction in Keynsham and buy a record player. I don't intend to, it just happens. Last year I got a nice sounding JVC thing for 10p and I also got a coffee table in the shape of the Isle of Mauritius. The other week I picked up a Goldring Lenco for a fiver. Which might mean something to someone.

Favourite childhood TV show?

'Moonlighting', with Bruce Willis and Cybil Shepherd. Used to stay up and watch it and think I was really grown up. Taught me a lot about boy-girl relationships. And I have always loved Columbo. You seen one with the late great Johnny Cash in? Sublime.

What's the lowest thing you'd do for money if you were that desperate?

I'm doing it right now. In an office in Bristol.

Who are your influences?

If I'm being brutally honest and not just trying to think up obscure acts to impress people with, the influences most obvious in my ditties are Plaid, Steve Reich, Luke Vibert, DJ Shadow etc. But like most impressionable people my age I grew up in the glorious age of Shoegazing and early 90s indie. My favourite albums at the moment are The Wedding Present's 'Seamonsters', Cocteau Twins 'Heaven or Las Vegas' and The Cure's 'Disintegration'. The biggest influence on me this year has been Max Tundra, for a myriad of reasons. A wise man, for someone so diminutive.

Pretend you're a DJ at the local youth club, what would you play to get the kiddies grooving?

Girls Aloud's version of 'Jump', swiftly followed by Big Brova's 'Nu Flow' and then finishing with something by S Club Juniors. Then there'd be a break for bottles of fizzy drinks. After rocking them with the 'Pop Idol' Xmas song (if I can get a promo), I'd end up with that Boyz II Men cover that Blazin' Squad did, so the girls could get a slow dance and the boys could get a cheeky grope.

Thanks for your time!

Anytime. You take care.