It has been awhile since Billy Boyd was in Edmonton, but the thespian/musician is about to come back. Not since he was here to host a screening of Scottish film shorts at Edmonton’s Garneau Theatre, back in March 2003, has he graced our (rather chilly) city with his presence.
"It’s my first time back; I think I’m still warming up from it," he laughed, before asking me if it would be similarly cold for his next visit. I assured him that, seeing as how the end of September is usually a glorious part of our fall season, that he should be fine with a few jackets and hats in the evening and not, say, an entire wolf pelt.
He is looking forward to his return, however. Not only will he be visiting to meet many of his fans, he is also travelling with friends of his – the other men who make up the rest of his band, Beecake. While an accomplished actor, Boyd is also a talented musician. "There has always been music," he said.
"Billy Johnston, who I play in Beecake with, we’ve been in bands since we were 14 together, and sort of have been ever since. Rick [Martin], who plays bass, I’ve known him since around that time as well. He has played in bands that I’ve known and respected."
Lately, he says, his love of music has crossed over more into his acting, which is unsurprising to long-time fans of his who are aware of his talents. While filming Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings Trilogy – I probably don’t need to tell you that he played roguish and lovable hobbit Peregrin "Pippin" Took – Jackson wanted to include more poetry and song, which is a large part of the world which Tolkien created. Howard Shore was meant to write the melody for "The Edge of Night", a song based off of the poem A Walking Song in the Lord of the Rings books.
Boyd was prepared to sing the song in a scene with Pippin and John Noble’s character Denethor but, when scheduling jumped and they were shooting earlier than expected, Boyd rose to the occasion and composed the melody himself. "Peter Jackson said to me, ‘Could you write something?’ and I said ‘yeah, I’d love to’. So I came up with this melody and went over to his house and sang it, and everyone agreed that it was good for the film."
Not only was that song used again in the trailer for The Hobbit: Battle of the Five Armies, but Boyd also wrote and performed "The Last Goodbye", which was used in the credits for that final film. He assured me that song would make an appearance during his performance this month. "There will be some Tolkien tears in the crowd," he promised.
Boyd is one of those actors who bears that streak of genuine you don’t often find in big name performers that make a name for themselves on the international market. And while he doesn’t eschew that, he has done quite a few Scottish works as well. Such projects resonate with him, which has him recall his experiences watching film and television when he was younger, and being exposed to both local and international work. "When I was a kid and watching Gregory’s Girl, I was excited when I saw the world that I knew. It seemed to me that all film was American, with high schools... I didn’t know that world that well. But I got excited when I saw the world that I knew on film. And when I go to a country, I want to see films about that country."
Because, you see, Scotland isn’t the only country he feels drawn to. "Even now, when I go to film festivals in Sweden or Australia or wherever, I get more excited about watching the films about that place. You know, like New Zealand films, like Whale Rider, or Boy. And, in Canada, watching Canadian films... I get more excited about smaller Canadian films because I want to learn about that – you know? I have seen enough films about American high school. I want to see film about Canadian life."
To Boyd, one of the most fun things for him about filming is the places he gets to go to. Surprisingly, when I asked him which location (besides Scotland) he loved to film in most, he had quite a lot to say about Saskatchewan. "New Zealand is a big favourite from doing The Lord of the Rings. You get to see such amazing places. And Master and Commander down in Mexico – that was pretty special. Being on the ships around the Gulf, that was incredible. And, of course, Saskatchewan."
He has good reason to rank the province alongside places like Mexico and New Zealand. "I made a film called Space Milkshake that was made in Saskatchewan: it was great fun; I loved it! And I had more fun making that movie maybe than any other movie. It was such a fun time with the whole crew and cast. It was lovely. And Saskatchewan had some great restaurants... I’m looking forward to coming back to that part of the world."
It will, hopefully, be a warmer experience than the last was for him. He is slated to be a defining guest at this year’s Edmonton Expo, and will be performing with the rest of his band on the evening of the 25th. Beecake has never performed for a convention before, but Boyd is looking forward to it, as well as sharing the convention experience with his band. "This is the first time we’ve tried this. We play a lot of shows and music festivals, but never an Expo, and I don’t know why it came about. I think maybe, because I [had] done the music for the last Hobbit film, that someone thought... it might be a good idea. I have such a laugh at conventions that it just seemed like a great idea, and you’re always kind of looking for something to do in the evening, after the convention. If the band’s there, I get to share the experience with all the boys."
The Edmonton Expo is going to run from September 25th to the 27th, so do yourself a favour and visit him there; see his band, or both. After all, who can resist that lovely voice? Everyone knows the Scots have one of the best accents in the world, and it sounds even better with musical accompaniment.
For those in Calgary who may not make the three-hour drive up north, don’t fret. You will be able to see Billy and Beecake yourself at Dickens on 9th Ave SW on September 22nd, with opening acts by Free the Cynic and Dead Pretty.
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Contributor Mars Tonic |
Topic Calgary Expo | Celebrity Interview |Comic Expo |
