Graham Reid | | 2 min read
Pool Party
When Australian singer-songwriter Julia Jacklin plays Auckland's Tuning Fork on May 27 it will be like a homecoming.
Jacklin was a key attraction at Auckland's Laneway Festival earlier in the year and her debut album Don't Let the Kids Win was recorded at the Sitting Room studio in Lyttelton with Ben Edwards who has also produced for Marlon Williams with whom Jacklin has toured.
One of the breakout stars in her homeland last year, Jacklin has played SXSW and other international festivals (and did a sell-out tour in the UK in February and March) and brings an interesting background to the stage.
Growing up in the Blue Mountains, the now 25-year old was originally inspired by Britney Spears and Avril Lavigne (her tastes currently run to Fiona Apple and Angel Olsen) and had classical singing lessons.
She formed a folk trio and through that and her new influences, focused as much on words and melody. It all comes together on her debut.
Time for Julia Jacklin to answer our songwriter questionnaire . . .
The first song which really affected you was . . .
Up
On the Roof - The Drifters
Your first (possibly embarrassing) role models in music were . .
Avril
Lavigne, Doris Day and Kurt Cobain. A nice mix I think.
The one songwriter you will always listen to, even if they disappointed
you previously, is?
Gillian
Welch
As songwriters: Lennon-McCartney or Jagger-Richards; kd lang or Katy
Perry; Madonna or Michael Jackson; Johnny Cash or Kris Kristofferson?
Lennon-McCartney,
Katy Perry, Michael Jackson, Johnny Cash.
The three songs (yours, or by others) you would love everyone to hear
because they are well crafted are . . .
Elvis
Presley Blues - Gillian Welch
Suzanne
- Leonard Cohen
Not
About Love - Fiona Apple
Melody first? Words or phrase first? Simultaneous?
Right
now it seems to be the words. But I've never heard a songwriter answer that
question well. I don't know anyone who only writes one way or the other.
The best book on music or musicians you have read is . .
How
to make Gravy - Paul Kelly. I was amazed by how many things I learnt from
reading that book. I'm sure I'll keep going back to it for many years to
come.
If you could co-write with anyone it would be . . .
Dolly
Parton, I'm sure it would be a great time.
The last CD or vinyl album you bought was . . . (And your most recent
downloads include . . .)
Vashti
Bunyan - Just Another Diamond Day
One song, royalties for life, never have to work again. The song by
anyone, yourself included, which wouldn't embarrass you would be . . .
I
Can't Make You Love Me- Bonnie Raitt
One line (or couplet) from a song -- yours or someone else's -- which
you think is just a stone cold winner is . . .
"Last
nights phrases, sick with lack of basis, are still writhing on my floor" -
Fiona Apple, Not About Love
Songwriting: what's the ratio of inspiration/perspiration?
Depends
on the day! Last month it seemed like 2% Inspiration 98% Perspiration but this
month is looking a lot better. More like 50/50.
Ever had a song come to you fully-formed like it dropped into your lap?
I'm
pretty sure 'Same Airport, Different Man' off my record came in one go. I
remember sitting down in my garage on an uncomfortable chair and 10mins later
had that on my phone. Hard to remember sometimes though. I usually forget the
writing process unfortunately. Would be really helpful for future songs!
And finally, finish this
couplet in any way you like: “Standing at the airport with an empty suitcase at
my feet . . .” (You are NOT allowed to rhyme that with “meet” however)
"Probably should have packed some
clothes" Is that a couplet?
If not "I'd told my mother twice, I'll make a lousy athlete!"
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