By Gemma Brosnan 

SKINT & DEMORALISED is a fusion of spoken word performance poetry and Northern Soul-inspired grooves that stems from a musical collaboration between Wakefield wordsmith Matt Abbott and mysterious Sheffield songwriter/producer MiNI dOG.

The pair started writing together in May 2007, and by November they'd been played by Steve Lamacq on BBC Radio 1, before their demos were made available for free download and their popularity sealed with a Mercury Records deal in March 2008.

June 2008 saw them fly to New York City to record with Amy Winehouse's studio session band and legendary soul outfit The Dap-Kings at The Daptone Studios in Brooklyn before heading back to London’s RAK Studios to complete their debut album 'Love, And Other Catastrophes'.

With the mainstream festival season about to kick off in the shape of Glastonbury this weekend, we caught up with Skint & Demoralised before they hit the road for Latitude to find out their festival secrets.

1. Who are you most looking forward to seeing at this year’s Latitude festival across the Arenas (Obelisk, Uncut, Comedy, Theatre, Literary and Poetry, Film & Music) and why?

In the Obelisk I'd say Amazing Baby, definitely. This time last year we flew to New York to start recording our debut album and I met the singer so I decided to check them out when I arrived home and I instantly fell in love. In the Uncut I'd have to say Squeeze, who are one of my main influences. I used 'Cool For Cats' as the walk-on song for our first tour...they're painfully underrated! Legends. My favourite comedians at the festival would have to be Ed Byrne and Russell Kane because Ed cracks me up every time and Russell has loads of potential. In the Theatre it'd be amazing to see any of Oscar Wilde's work performed because I adore the man. In the Literary I'd be quite interested to see what Keith Allen has to say, and the poet would be Simon Armitage because we're from the same neck of the woods. Finally, in the Film & Music it'd have to be Mark Lamarr presents God's Jukebox! What a guy!
 
2. What aspect of Latitude Festival interests you the most and why?

The sheer range of mediums really intrigues and fascinates me. Having such a plethora of performance in one weekend means that you'll never be bored. I'm bound to stumble upon something amazing that I never would have previously checked-out. Also, I've heard about this Pimm's Island...
 
3. What can people expect you to bring to the festival and do you have anything special planned?

As well as the live set with the band I definitely want to wangle my way into the Poetry Area. Performance poetry is a huge aspect of Skint & Demoralised and there will definitely be some during the band's set anyway. I have a few things up my sleeve but I'm keeping them quiet for now.
 
4. If you weren't doing this what would you be doing?

I'd be at Benicassim Festival in Spain. Three years in a row may have spoiled it, though, and I've always wanted to go to Latitude so it's worked-out perfectly. I love things to have a twist.
 
5. What do you always bring to a festival?

Last year I arrived at Reading Festival on Friday morning expecting to be there for a day, and I was still drinking at Leeds Festival on the Monday morning. How that happened I'm not quite sure, but this year a few changes of clothes and baby wipes will be in attendance for definite.
 
6. Have you been to Latitude before, and if so, what has your favourite performance been?

I'm afraid not. I'm quite inexperienced when it comes to music festivals because I was always a football freak in my teenage years so my financial priorities would lie elsewhere, which makes this all the more exciting for me!
 
7. Do you have any festival tips for those in attendance at Latitude?

Keep an open mind throughout the whole event. Obviously there will be acts that you specifically want to see but if you're killing time between plans then wonder into the different areas because you never know what you might find. Everyone is obviously talented otherwise they wouldn't be performing in the first place, so it's always worth a shot!
 
8. What is your favourite colour Sheep?

I'd have to say pink so that an unsuspecting stoner confused it for candy floss. Not that I'd want them to eat the sheep, of course. It'd be funny at first, though.

For more information on Latitude Festival 2009 and tickets, check out

www.latitudefestival.co.uk

photo credit:  http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3414/3650275433_6286686602.jpg