Here's an interview with Jean Elsie, the winner of the Christmas Present Giveaway, who where kind enough to answer a few questions of mine.

Congratulations on winning the Christmas Present Giveaway! To use the biggest cliché in journalism; How does it feel?

JE: It feels wonderful to win the Christmas Present Giveaway! I think it might be the first time I’ve won anything!

Could you please tell us a little about yourself?

- My name is Jean Elsie, and I live in St Austell, Cornwall. I am retired, but used to work for the tax office – but don’t hold that against me!

How long have you been a fan of The Sea Kings?

- I discovered The Sea Kings when I heard their interview on the David White Show on BBC Radio Cornwall, back in the summer. I liked their songs and harmonies, and they seemed like lovely boys.

Ever had the chance to see The Sea Kings live?

- Unfortunately not yet. I believe that the shows they were performing then were a bit far for me to travel, but I would be very happy to see them in the future.

Your favourite The Sea Kings song?

- I like “Swim”, which they performed on the radio show.

A few off topic (non The Sea Kings) questions to round this up.. To get a sense of where you are in the musical landscape; What kind of music do you listen to on a normal day?

- The music I hear is mostly from the radio (I don’t have a large record collection), and I tend to switch between Radio Cornwall and Classic FM, so about half of the time it’s classical, which I very much like.

What are your Top 5 favourite songs of all time (besides The Sea Kings of course!)?

- I don’t know if I’d be able to name as many as five! If I’m allowed classical pieces as well, then my absolute favourite is Vaughan Williams’ Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis, which is so incredibly beautiful.

I also love Elgar’s Cello Concerto.

I’m afraid I don’t know too much popular music, but I was a fan of The Beach Boys when I first heard them back in the ‘60s, and I still enjoy hearing their songs now!

What was your Musical Discovery of the past year (except The Sea Kings of course!)? Any lesser known bands you want give a shout out?

- Apart from The Sea Kings, I remember hearing a very nice song by Ben Howard on Radio Cornwall – I think it was called something about a tree…? (NB: The song is Old Pine by Ben Howard). Anyway, it was very nice.

Thanks for participating in this interview and keep spreading the word about The Sea Kings, it's truly appreciated!

The final 'End Of The Year' interview with the crew from The Sea Kings are Joe Holtaway (Vocals/Mandolin). Still the same set of questions as we get to find out about their highlights of this past year, the band’s plans for next year (first full-lenght album..) & last but not least; What's on their Christmas dinner menu?

And check out the fabolous Christmas Present Giveaway that we're doing right HERE - You can get your hand on the following:

A 'digital copy' of 'An Introduction To The Sea Kings' EP sent to your inbox.
Christmas card in the post from the Sea Kings to include:
-a photograph
-a signed Sea Kings flyer
-Handwritten lyrics to songs from the ep

Back to business...

Thanks for doing this! How was the year 2011 for you?

JH: Working as a band has been a good journey this year, learning from each other, bringing our album together and travelling - from warm summers playing beside our tour van to rooms in our houses this winter and everything in-between.

2012: What plans and high hopes do you have in store for next year?

- Looks like our first record will be done next year. All our old friends, family, bands we've played with and new friends we've made along the way are all part of it I feel and being able to share it with them is something special.

What are your favourite band at the moment? Any lesser known bands you want give a shout out?

- I recently heard this song called 'Up Up Up' by a band called Givers from the states - just really fell for it, will be spending sometime with them for sure.

What was your Musical Discovery of the year?

- A band out of Toronto called 'Wildlife' they have this album called 'Strike Hard, Young Diamond' - I've been listening to it a lot while cycling - love it.

Are there any bands/artists or albums that you have high hopes and are particularly excited about in 2012?

- I'll say Givers again and maybe Bon Iver will make some more magic for us.

If you had to pick one Experience and put it above the rest, what would that be?

- Jake and I, and some friends went to see Bon Iver when they came to London a few months ago - to be there with a room full of people opening up to these songs was moving; from his winter shed to this indie pop star I feel his journey is honest and if you like his music, it's as though you're there with him like he's a friend. I still have no idea really what all his songs are about, at least in my mind - though my heart knows exactly!

Your Album Of The Year?

- Some nice albums out this year, hey - I'll go with 'Smart Flesh' - by Low Anthem

Your Song Of The Year?

- I really fell for 'Old Pine' by Ben Howard a few months ago

Your Book Of The Year?

- Not current by any means but I've been really soaking up Buddhist teachings this year - one Zen guy called 'Thich Nhat Hanh' still alive living in the South of France, wrote a book called “True Love”, I've read it many times these last 12 months.

Your Movie Of The Year?

- Went to a screening of a film called 'I am' recently, due for DVD release in January, I understand. The film is a documentary made by a Hollywood comedy producer - he suffered a accident on his bike that almost ended his life - as part of his recovery he took a film crew to visit a list of world leaders and writers to ask them what they thought about life.

What are your own personal favourite The Sea Kings song or songs?

- Hard to say about your own songs - there are parts in all the songs I particularly love playing and those parts change and shift each time we play them.

If you could pick anybody from the present or past to collaborate with, who would that be?

- Just now I'd say Jack Kerouac and Allen Ginsburg; they was more of a jazz fans I think but maybe if I played some mandolin tunes they would start rolling out some poetry about love and brotherhood over the top.

If you could choose from all the songs in the world and make it your own, which one would you have liked to have written?

- The other day was listening to 'Heart of Gold' by Neil Young and feeling like it was the most beautiful song I had ever heard, today it happened with Tom Waits 'Ol'55' - it changes but there's two for you.

And finally as Christmas are sneaking up on us. What will be on your Christmas Dinner Menu?

- vegetables put a smile on my face: so any of the following; 

Potatoes, Beetroot, Parsnips, Sprouts, Carrots, Parsnip - I leave to my mum to decide which.

Merry Christmas & A Happy New Year!!