Hi Jess, tell us about yourself?
I’m a singer/dancer/actor/writer based between Melbourne and Perth. I like singing classical songs as well as musical theatre (which is what my degree is in) as well as, of course, my own compositions. I am currently working on an EP I hope to record later this year/early next year and a few dark comedic cabarets which I’ll probably perform at the Perth Fringe Festival.
What is your songwriting process?
I call the hours between 4 am, and 6 am my ‘witching hours’, because I come up with all of my ideas in a semi dream state, write them down, and then come back and flesh them out when I wake up at a more decent time. I like to imagine that my songs are created subconsciously and that when they’re fully formed, I then get the urge to sit down at the piano and bring them into consciousness. I normally finish them pretty quickly once I strike the first chord, which is how I know they’re ready to come to fruition.
Tell us about your latest release?
‘Mulberry Tree’ is a dark and winding song that tells the story of a man’s turmoil at his tree being chopped down. I wrote it quite literally about my dad’s mulberry tree getting cut down (he was really mad about it), but I like to imagine it being played in a dramatic black and white film set in the mid-1800s.
What message do you think your music conveys to your fans?
To question our perceived reality and follow our intuition rather than outside influence. That the subconscious mind and dream states convey clues to our most authentic selves.
Who are your musical influences?
Fiona Apple, Nirvana, Lana Del Rey, Elliot Smith, Bright Eyes, Interpol, Nine Inch Nails
Who are your non-musical influences?
Alan Watts, Charlie Kaufman, Mary Magdalene
What’s the best gig that you have ever played?
Doing the Australian tour supporting Imagine Dragons back in 2013 was pretty amazing. That was with an indie rock band I was in.
What is your funniest gig moment?
In a musical I was performing in, I had to hand the actor I was playing alongside a note that had a really sad message on it. I swapped the note one night for a note with a bunch of swear words on it, and when I handed it to him, he started laughing so much he had to turn around to face the back of the stage. The audience was probably really confused, but I was pleased with myself.
What do you think are the biggest obstacles for bands/artists today?
Live gigs are obviously difficult with COVID restrictions, and hopefully, we can get back out on stage again soon. Other than that, I think with so many different mediums to release music, audiences can be a little spoilt for choice, so it can be hard to be heard amongst the crowded chaos.
What advice would you give to other bands/artists starting out?
If you have an idea, or you want to do something – just do it. If you can imagine something, it means it’s probably possible, and you should make small choices every day that lead you in that direction (if it feels exciting to you and is what you want).
What are your hopes for the next two years?
I really want to release an EP and an album (or just an album – we’ll see). I want to perform my songs with a live orchestra. I want to get all my poems organised in one book. I want to perform a few more of the cabarets I have simmering. Performing an operatic role in a musical would be awesome too.
FV Music Blog July 2020
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Twitter: @jessroseclancy
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