Dominic, can you tell us how the band was assembled, who performed the vocals, instruments etc? Or was each member an independent?

The band had existed already for some time under the name Obaben signed to Human Condition Records in Edinburgh. All the members of the band were studying at the university and so met through contacts or friends there. I was the last to join, and this would have been in 1999 if I remember rightly. Ben Wright was the band's front man, chief song-writer and vocalist. The instrumental line up was as follows:

Ben Wright - guitar and vocals
Dominic Gibbeson - Bass
Rob Jenkins - lead guitar
Gerard McLachlan - drums
Dominic Goundar - percussion

We were all part of the band, but for the purposes of the Thomas and the Magic Railroad soundtrack opted to be listed as independents rather than under the Obaben title, which is why we are individually listed.

How long had you been playing the drums at the time that the song was recorded? (you would have been in your early 20's?)

As noted above, although I am a professional drummer now and was certainly a drummer back then too, my role in the band was as percussionist only and so I did not pay drums on the track Summer Sunday. At the time though I had been playing the drums for about 10 years.

Can you tell us more about how the song was written? (theme, inspiration etc.) Was it specifically written for the movie?

I was not involved in the writing process, so I cannot give you any insight into the influences that went into to it. Clearly though, we knew what scene and context the song was going to be used in, and so that naturally informed what kind of feel and vibe it should have. It was written specifically for the movie and to my knowledge featured nowhere else.

Given that it was a 'new' song, did it take the band some time to pull it all together?

My recollection was that it came together quickly. My parts were certainly all recorded on the same afternoon and edited after that.

Do you recall when and where the song was recorded?

The song was recorded in May of 2000 at Human Condition studios in Edinburgh.

Were there any other songs written/played by the band for the movie that weren't used?

To my knowledge there were no other tracks recorded that were intended to be used in film that didn't make the cut. We were commissioned for one song, and one was what was delivered.

Can you tell the fans of the movie more about yourself? Your style of music, and where they can go to hear you play?

My work these days is based mostly in and around London in musical theatre and with bands and singers. I work as a dep drummer on Blood Brothers in the West End on a regular basis and with a number of different bands for both corporate and private functions. I freelance for other bands and artists on an ad hoc basis mostly in live performances and showcases.

On behalf of SiF, I'd like to thank Dominic for getting back to us and we wish you  all our best with your musical endeavors and projects :)