apple rabbits: our London Calling act in the BBC Introducing hotseat

Apple jack: multi-instrumentalist Jay Fisher is the only permanent band member

Where are you from?

I was born in Hammersmith and lived there until I was two, then my family moved out to East Anglia and came back to London when I was nineteen in 1989. I now live in Kilburn.

Names of band members and instruments played?

I'm Jay Fisher, the only permanent band member of apple rabbits. I write and arrange, sing, play guitars, bass, piano, keys, accordion, percussion, plus a bit of programming, sound effects and noises.

On the two albums I've made before I was helped out by some old music friends and friends of friends, including producer Dug Wolfsohn and Rachel Birkin, string arranger, who wrote the arrangement for the song I Could Not Care Less.

I thought it might make things a bit more interesting for the listener to hear someone else's style; I think it's turned out very well.

How long have you been making music?

Since about 1984, starting with electronic music and moving into singing and songwriting in 1987, because we couldn't find a singer for our band.

I recorded my first album in 1990, then formed Canteen with Paul Castle and Dug Wolfsohn in 1995. We released several singles on small dance labels before each of us drifted off to do our own things in about 2002, which is when I started writing for what became apple rabbits.

The first album, King Of Anglia, came out as a download only release in 2008, followed by Kilburn State in 2009. Both are about to be re-released in the coming months.

As well as apple rabbits, I've just finished a collaboration with Alvine Spetz from Full English Breakfast, and that will go out on my label, Kilburn State Records, under the name J.B. Presley.

Style of music and influences?

A couple of people have mentioned post-rock as a description; as for influences - Yellow Magic Orchestra, Talk Talk, Tortoise, Severed Heads, Japan, Holger Czukay, Kraftwerk, Beck, that sort of thing.

Best moment so far?

At the time it seemed like the worst thing that could have happened but with hindsight it was quite good: I was a support for John Martyn on his autumn/winter tour in 1994.

I didn't really rate him at the time (I've since got into his stuff) and I don't think I hid it well.

Not amused: maverick folkie John Martyn

It came to a head in Ireland, when I pretended I'd watched his set but I'd only seen the last number. After he'd finished, he was walking past and the person I was talking to said, "Great set, John" and I added "and I particularly enjoyed the last song..."

He lunged across the room and pinned me up against the wall by my throat saying, "Your sense of humour is going to get your f***ing face smashed in."

That was a pretty good moment and knowing John Martyn fans, I could probably make a few quid if I put my neck up on eBay.

What's the inspiration behind I Could Not Care Less, the song we featured in your London Calling spot?

I got a little bit caught up watching a lot of YouTube videos, or you could say I was deliberately winding myself up reading comments left by argumentative Christians and atheists and it got to me.

I decided that I had to make a decision about which side I was on, although it seems a bit silly to me now, so I fell on the side of not needing religion, but tried to disguise my swipe and hoped that no one would ask what it was about.

I could also mention the God isn't a He or She or It idea - which I later found out that author Kurt Vonnegut had already done, surprise surprise. But it's a good tune, so I just console myself with this.

What song would you most like to cover?

I Can't Go Back To Savoury by John Shuttleworth. I'm not messing around to appear interesting, I love that song!

Visit apple rabbits MySpace, above right, for more information.

Find more emerging artists like this in the London Calling feature in Gary Crowley's 94.9 radio show:

Gary Crowley on 94.9 - Saturday 6-8pm