This Saturday night Ku Promotions presents Summer, Wine, Woman and Song, a very special show that brings together the sumptuous talents of three wild women: Kara Grainger, Corinne Gibbons and Chris E Thomas. Echonetdaily caught up with the girls with a few quick questions.
What are the qualities that you most admire in other singer/songwriters?
KG : I really admire songwriters who write lyrics which truly move you as a listener. It’s hard to find the right words to describe an emotion but the great songwriters definitely have that skill.
CE: Honesty. Simplicity. And I love happy songs as I guess I find them the hardest to write… [laugh].
CG: Creating imagery that is transporting – I really love to listen to music that takes me back or suits a particular time of day or emotion, writing a melody that is evocative and writing straight from the heart, these are qualities that I admire. I also enjoy humour in songwriting… that is a gift.
What do you perceive as your own strengths?
KG: I absolutely love to sing and play guitar, I definitely think this gives me a lot of strength as a performer.
CE: Hmmm… I used to copy singers when I was younger which was great training for a session singer but now I can sing with my own interpretation. It takes a while to find your own voice. I guess that’s the same with everyone, not just singers.
CG: I enjoy telling a story and keeping it personal, I think you get an insight into who I am fundamentally from my music.
What do you think are your performance and creative challenges?
KG: I never see music as a creative challenge but more that there are endless possibilities of where the music can take you. However there are always things I could work on as a player, singer and songwriter.
CE: Keeping some time for myself personally. I keep working and neglect my personal life… ie all the non-music stuff to stay balanced emotionally.
CG: Mmmmm, interesting question… I honestly think time management is my biggest challenge. My creative challenge this year comes in the form of a new album and it embraces a lot of new themes in my life; I feel creatively challenged and excited as it’s moving in a different production direction to MELT.
What song are you proudest of?
KG: I’m very proud of the CD Grand and Green River which I recorded in Los Angeles a few years ago. There are a number of co-written songs and songs of my own which I think are great pieces of work. I particularly like performing Secret Soul, which is a simple travelling song. It tells of how sometimes when you lose people you are close to it seems like sometimes a small part of them can remain within you, within your soul.
CE: Tucson Man from my first EP.
CG: Melt it represents a moment in my life that is deeply personal and is dedicated to my late sister Danielle.
How would you describe your journey as a musician?
KG: Well… I fell into music at an early age and have never really looked back… As a child I was inspired by my father’s singing. I was given a great education from many players and teachers along the way. The other members of the band Papa Lips were, I believe, my greatest teachers, including my brother Mitch… They introduced me to blues, soul and funk and a whole lot of great music, including The Meters, Taj Mahal, Donny Hathaway, Etta James… the list goes on… Music has taken me to Japan, the USA, Indonesia and Europe… it’s been a wonderful journey so far and I still feel I have a long long way to go.
CE: Lucky. No formal training and managed to score jobs with some of Australia’s finest entertainers… here and overseas. Fluked it really.
CG: Privileged, I am living my passion and I feel fortunate that I am able to do so and travel the world… it rocks!
Expect some country, blues, soul and funk, with the emphasis on three amazing friends harmonising and having an amazing time. As Chris E jokes ‘It’s a bit like bringing the jam around the kitchen table to your big lounge room!’
Saturday, Bangalow Catholic Hall. Tix: www.kupromotions.com.au. Pre $18(+bf) / Door $22. Doors: 7.30pm / Show: 8pm. Food by Veets Cuisine.
