Tiny Ruins, The Vietnam War

Fri 23 Mar ,

Music

The NZ singer/songwriter brings her quiet charms back our way

First published on 22 Sep 2011. Updated on 24 Mar 2012.

This event has finished

How did you get into music?

Music has always been a part of my life. When I was younger I learnt the cello, played in a few bands and wrote a couple of songs during my high school days. When I was older I decided I wanted to get back into music, so that's exactly what I did.

And the collection of songs on your debut album…

I have always been a songwriter so it wasn't a matter of simply writing an album from scratch. It was hard to pick the songs that would be included in the album. We had recorded about 14 or 15 songs in the studio, and then had to narrow it down.

[Machine Translations main man] J Walker is your producer. Tell us about the collaboration.

He was actually recommended to me. I looked him up and liked what I saw. I was impressed with the work he had done. He has all these instruments…He's influenced the album greatly, especially when it comes to the piano music. He found a beautiful old grand piano and a small quite place at a school where we recorded.

How do you feel about opening for Seeker Lover Keeper and how do you keep your nerves at bay?

I've worked with Holly [Throsby] before. I toured with her last time I was in Australia so I am familiar with her more so than Sarah [Blasko] and Sally [Seltmann]. I'm aware of them and know their stuff, but I've always had a bit of stage fright. The more you do it the less nervous you get each time.

What does this next year look like for you?

Well, I'm going to be on a break for a bit. I'm working part time at a library but other than that I don't have plans at the moment.

Subscribe to our Spotify playlists

Words by Julianna Spence