Caped Crusader

ALWAYS upbeat, Sam Duckworth is more cheerful than usual.

While his songs, released under the name of his alter ego Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly are still loaded with introspection and political insight, he admits his latest work, Maps, is poppier and more upbeat than anything else he has done so far.

“I feel like all my records are being released in the wrong order,” says the 26-year-old singer-songwriter.

“This is my most energetic and fun. The older I get, the louder and brasher I get. It’s been good to let it all hang out.”

Maps is a welcome development for this inventive artist, who made a name for himself by fusing new folk with indie rock and electronic fiddling, and now makes waves sounding off against the Coalition and backing street protests.

“The focus has been on simplicity, while having a good time while I’m doing it. I’m in a much better mood than I have been, and it has solidified my faith in people.

“I’m also looking forward to playing loads of gigs and festivals. It’s really exciting to be back touring.”

Despite hailing from the Thames Estuary – within spitting distance of the rock shops and amusement arcades of Southend’s ‘kiss me quick’ seafront, this part-Burmese Essex boy has always had a soft spot for Oxford, considering the city his adopted home.

For much of his career he was managed by Oxford’s Paul Bonham, and he honed his act at the old Zodiac, now the O2 Academy, in Cowley Road; and at Truck and Cornbury festivals. He once even once played a gig on a specially-chartered train on the Cotswold Line between the city and Charlbury.

It is, he admits, time he returned.

“I’ve been holed away for a bit,” he says. “I’ve been trying to get myself together, and by releasing this record I’ve exorcised a few demons.

"But it’s great to be playing Oxford again – and Truck Festival, again, this summer.

“It is no mistake that Oxford is the last night of the tour. Expect us to be loud, upbeat and having fun!”

Sam takes his bizarre moniker from a Batman game on the old ZX Spectrum – or, rather, from a piece in a computer magazine, offering advice on how to play it.

“I came up with the name the night before a show,” he told us at the time, following the release of his 2006 debut The Chronicles of a Bohemian Teenager. “I wanted to get away from the stigma that if you use your own name, you’re some kind of achy-breaky singer-songwriter.”

He now admits he didn’t think he’d have to carry the name for as long as he has. His ability to carry on releasing records, and pulling in crowds continues to excite him, though.

“I’ve been on the road since I was 18 and am now 26,” he says. “Inside it does get harder – and not just musically. The only difference now is that I don’t get asked for ID in pubs.”

He says the past eight years have been something of a whirlwind.

“Most of it has been pretty surreal,” he laughs. “In fact, all of it has.

“This is something I dreamed of doing and I am still doing it after eight years.

“It has turned into quite a journey – and I have no idea where I’m going.”

More than before, Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly is no longer just Sam alone. His creation is more and more taking on the guise of a genuine group.

“It does feel like a band now,” he says.

“We feel more like a unit. That’s exciting though. You’ve got to interact with human beings or you’ll run yourself into the ground.”

* Get Cape.

Wear Cape. Fly play the O2 Academy, Oxford, on Wednesday, supported by Rams Pocket Radio and Shoes & Socks Off. Tickets cost £8.50 from ticketweb.co.uk.

He also plays Truck Festival, Steventon, in July. Go to truckfestival.com.

Maps is out now