Following the firm’s announcement of a new sustainability product line up and a continued focus on a green future, Payment Expert spoke to Oli Cook from ekko for the latest episode of the Encore series.
What was your first ever gig, and what was it like?
Believe it or not, I saw my first ever gig whilst working the car parks at V Festival. It was a fantastic job, as once our work day was done at 5pm, we were allowed into the festival free of charge.
I loved having the best of both worlds – earning money whilst watching some great bands, including Muse. What’s not to love? (Apart from the 7am starts!)
Best performance you have ever seen live, and why was it so good?
I recently saw Coldplay at Wembley. It was a really special event as everyone in the crowd got a special wristband that lit up in tandem with the music. It was an incredibly immersive experience which only worked because everyone was happy to get involved and make the visuals so powerful.
It also helped that their special guest for the evening was Alan Partridge. I think half the crowd understood it, but the other half had no idea who he was!
Artist who can do no wrong in your eyes and why?
Rag & Bone man. I saw him play live last year in Brighton and it was great. I prefer his first album to his most recent music, but he gets a lot of air-time on our playlist at home.
Most cherished album and why?
I’d say The Rolling Stones, 40 licks. My dad is a huge fan of The Rolling Stones, so they pretty much formed the soundtrack of my growing up. We listened to them together so much that there’s a real emotional nostalgia attached to the music, and even though it’s now 20 years old, it still features regularly on our playlists.
Song that gets you up in the morning? Why does it fill you with the energy you need to face the day?
At the moment it would be Foo Fighters, All My Life. I have two young girls, aged 3 and 5, and they love listening to that song. It gets played through our speakers every morning, and seeing them dance in their chairs whilst eating their breakfast is a lovely way to start the day. To mix it up, we also listen to alot of Pink in the mornings – the girls love her!
The song that always makes your gym playlist? What are you usually doing in the gym when you listen to this?
I’m less of a gym person, and more into running at the moment. I really like getting the hit of fresh air, and I find it gives me more energy than a standard gym workout. The song that always makes my running playlist is Fall Out Boy, Thriller.
The Artist or Song that takes your mind off work? Why have you chosen this artist and genre?
Stereophonics, Local Boy in a Photograph. It takes me back to being a spotty teenager listening to the Word Gets Around album endlessly. It helps that they are one of my wife’s favourite bands too, so it’s crossed over all parts of my life.
Musician you’d love to go on a night out with? Where would you take them?
Keith Richards – who knows what would go on, but I’m sure it would be fun.
