When you first started out more than 20 years ago could you have ever dreamed you’d have such a long lasting career?

It literally is a miracle, especially when you look at the odds of those that made it out of Milwaukee, where I’m originally from. The secret to lasting in this dream life is being passionate about your art. People are looking for passion and when they feel it in your art, they are attracted to that.

What do you see as the band’s first big break through?

Yes, we were in North Carolina on our way to a gig, and there was a line wrapped around the block of fans. I asked my road manager who were we opening up for? She answered ‘it’s just Arrested Development performing!’ That was a defining moment for us!

Arrested Development have created some hip hop classics. How do you feel about songs like Mr. Wendal and Tennessee now?

Those songs are so special to me and always will be. Tennessee was written because of the death of my grandmother and then brother in the same week. Mr. Wendal was about homeless people that I met. For many reasons those songs hit me hard every night.

The Arrested Development sound combines sunshine tunes with a strong political message, did you always have an idea of the music you wanted to create?

It’s partially on purpose and partially natural. I love melodies but I also love when the popular culture is introduced to deeper and more meaningful things and transforms the world. We try to make our music as timeless as possible with messages that really are resonating with us in the moment, hoping to enlighten people on an issue that needs some light.

What do you think of the UK festival scene?

I LOVE outdoors period, and a festive atmosphere is something that always moves me to my core! I grew up around festivals. My dad owned a roasted corn booth at a music festival in Milwaukee, so it’s part of my DNA.

Arrested Development has been at the forefront of the conscious Hip-Hop movement donating money to Nelson Mandela and the African National Congress to help put an end to Apartheid, donating $20,000 to UNICEF for relief of women in the Congo and half of the proceeds of Mr. Wendal to the National Coalition for the Homeless. How have you managed to maintain this ethos and did you make a conscious decision to take a bit of a step back after chart success?

Definitely, big time fame, is not for us. It doesn’t match our personalities and hearts. We’re more about the common man and woman. Families, love and integrity. It’s the anti-rockstar sentiment.

The music industry has changed since you first started out, most notably through digital downloads and TV talent shows. How much has this impacted on the band?

I think the music industry is in a bad place comparatively, but seeing that I can’t control it, I’ve learned to embrace the good aspects of what today’s scene brings. I do believe in staying alive in the moment instead of living totally in the past.

  • The group are about to release their new album Delusions of Adequacy. For information go to ArrestedDevelopmentMusic.com.
  • Now in its fifth year, BoomTown Fair takes place at Matterley Estate near Winchester until Sunday. For more information go to boomtownfair.co.uk.