On from JuBee and the Morning After on Vimeo.
I have a funny sense of irony. Today is a beautiful, sunny, day. Springtime is here, despite the freezing weather of yesterday, and there are cherry blossoms blooming on practically every corner. And yet, my song of the day has the word "rain" in it. But when it comes to love, you're entitled to include some ideas on the far end of either spectrum. I believe in the kind of love described simply, but beautifully, in this song, "I'm gonna love you, baby come rain or shine." Dig it. ;)
To me it matters little where a song comes from, but what it ends up meaning to you. I am a huge Buffy fan and have been since I was in elementary school. I own all the seasons, the soundtracks, and at one point even had several of my own fan pages dedicated to various aspects of the show. This song is purely Buffy and will always make my ears perk up like an animal when I hear it. Believe me! Give it a listen and whether or not the 90's grungy feel hooks you, the chorus will definitely be ear candy.
How do you usually write your songs?
I don’t have a set pattern or specific way of writing. Sometimes I’ll be walking on my way home from somewhere and a melody starts building in my head…I hum it over and over until I get home, grab the guitar and start working chords into the idea. The words usually come after…but often a phrase or a lyric idea is born together with the melody.
Other times I write out of pure necessity. Like if I’ve been totally down and need to pull myself up out of the mire. These songs usually come within ten minutes. Both melody and lyrics. And these are the songs I’m usually most proud of. They come from a place you had to experience in order write about.
I also write a lot of my songs together with my partner Niclas Johannesen…and that’s a very dynamic process. He throws out an idea, which I react to, bounce something back to him and sooner or later we have a song.
What is the first artist you remember loving as a child?
As a little girl I remember loving Karen Carpenter. She had such richness in her sound. I was always so fascinated at how much meat was on her lower notes. She didn’t become raspy and disappear into a course whisper, but sang out those low notes with texture and conviction. I also remember my first time hearing Judy Garland sing “Somewhere Over The Rainbow”, and thinking to myself “I want to sing.”
If you could collaborate with one musician, dead or alive, who would it be?
There’s no doubt about it. It would have to be Bob Dylan the genius mystery man himself.
What is your dream venue to play?
My dream venue would be The Royal Albert Hall. I remember seeing a Lillith Fair concert there, where so many of my favourite female artists were performing. There’s something fragile and vulnerable about being on a stage where the audience is actually seated above you and around you. Something unnerving and yet at the same time totally empowering.
If you could experience another decade of music first hand, which would it be?
I’m torn between the sixties and the seventies. The sixties because so many revolutionary ideas and musicians sprung from that period. To be part of a decade when the world said “Enter Beatles” would have been thrilling to experience first hand. And the seventies, purely for Led Zeppelin and the rock guitar hippyness of it all! I love that.
If a movie is ever made about your life, who would play you?
She was magical to watch in Lost In Translation. It’s Scarlett Johansson. She has a way of catching the very nuances of a character. She doesn’t overplay and that subtlety really makes her characters come to life. Now if Woody Allen directed it, we would be able to capture the neurotic side of me too.
If you could pick a gemstone to symbolize you and your music what would it be?
I would choose a pearl. A pearl is classic. And kinda like the way I want my music to be. Not just something that’s a fashion statement or a hit right now. But something you can pull out of your music collection in twenty years and it won’t sound as if it’s outdated or grown old. A string of pearls is like a stack of good albums or a handful of must-listen-to songs.
Is there anything that I haven't asked that you'd like to say?
I think you’ve asked some really cool and refreshing questions. But I must say that I’m totally serious about that Bob Dylan collaboration.
There you have it guys...
Now, Go Listen!
I had the great opportunity last August to go to Berklee's Songwriting Workshop in Boston. One of the performers I was blessed enough to see were The Rescues. Just two seconds of listening and everyone (no exaggeration!) got out their phones and cameras to record. There was even a group of kids who walked miles (seriously!) to see their show in Boston later that night. If you haven't heard this song yet, you really should. Not to mention it's been raining a lot where I'm from...haha.
There you have it. Now GO LISTEN! :D
