Marty Meets: Claire Batchelor

www.clairebatchelor.co.uk

http://www.myspace.com/clairebatchelor

Her new EP is called: ‘Wish‘. It’s a great title. Because once you’ve heard a second of the songs, the EP is on your wish list.  Marty Drury meets: Claire Batchelor.

Hi, Claire. Would you like to introduce yourself?

Hi, I’m a musician from Buckinghamshire, I love writing, recording, singing, performing, recording waterfalls and sitting on branches in rivers to have my photo taken which was suprisingly cold in august, by the way.

Who are your musical influences?

My main influences are Bjork, PJ Harvey, Nick Drake and Radiohead. I also love newer artists such as Imogen Heap and Bat for Lashes.

Your Myspace page classes your music as: “Acoustic, electro acoustic and alternative” whilst iTunes calls your music “rock”. How would you describe your music?

My music’s quite broad but I guess if I had to pick one, ’electro-acoustic’ would be the closest.  I blend quite a few things together so it ends up being called all sorts of things.

Would you call yourself a “fusion artist”? Ok, ok, so I just made that term up. What I mean is, does your background in rock, electronic and orchestral writing inform or influence your acoustic songs?

I think you should definitely use that term! Fusion Artist…I like it.  Absolutely, I love fusing different sounds together to try and sound unique.  I’m so bored of the legions of ‘female singer-songwriters’ out there with their busted up guitars and sad little songs.  I want to sound different. (And have a shiny guitar.)

How easy is it to bring different forms of music together to create a song?

Basically I tend to write songs on guitar, or sometimes piano.  For me, if it doesn’t work as an acoustic song, it’s not going to work as a full blown song.  So I write it very simply first, then add more and more textures.

On your Myspace page it says that your music sounds like: “instruments dipped in purple”. What does that mean?

Haha! That’s just me having a little joke as my friends and fans know I’m obsessed with the colour purple.

When I was at school, the careers advisor asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I replied that I wanted to be a journalist or a famous novelist. The careers advisor nodded and then handed me a pile of leaflets about working in a shop. You’ve clearly followed your dream. Has turning something you love doing into a career been an easy process or have their been obstacles to overcome along the way?

I think ‘following’ as opposed to ‘followed’ applies here, as I am still overcoming obstacles! I’m sure even the most seasoned artists encounter obstacles.  The music industry is certainly a tough nut to crack. I have worked in many shops, have done many random jobs and still do a few (although they are at least either related to music or being creative)!  Funnily enough my careers advisor said ‘go to college and do music’ – maybe they were a hippy in their early days.

What’s your song writing process like? Are you inspired by events or personal experiences? Do you carry a notebook with you so you can jot down ideas? Is it always easy to turn an idea into a song?

I have books and books of lyrics, (mainly purple ones of course) and tend to rework them until I’m happy.  Then totally seperately I might write a chord sequence or riff, and think about how the chords sound and which lyrics suit what.  Other times I’ll write them together, like with ‘Grow’ the second song on the EP, I wrote the chords along with the lyrics.

Which would you rather have: a number one single or critical acclaim?

Critical acclaim.  Does anyone actually buy singles any more? I dont want mega stardom, fame or ridiculous amounts of money, just to live off my music, specifically writing.

Which do you prefer: recording an EP or playing live? Or do you enjoy doing both?

I enjoy both in different ways. With recording I love that you can listen to something over and over again and try different things over the top like harmonies or different instruments.  Playing live is fun when you can feed off the energy of the crowd.

Another string to your bow is that you’re a composer and you’ve composed music for TV programmes, films and other media. How does the composition process work? Does the production company or whoever come to you with a list of requirements and you compose the music based on those details or do you have the freedom to experiment with your own ideas and inspiration?

It really depends on the company or director.  Generally the more commercial the job, the less control you get, but I’ve been quite lucky in that I’ve always been given a reasonable amount of control.  I absolutely love writing to picture as it’s so different to songwriting; you may not even have a steady beat but are reacting to the emotions and characters onscreen.

In 2007, you conducted your impressionist orchestral piece ‘Bloom’ for Worthing Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra. What was that experience like?

Amazing! I’d never conducted before and it was so hard; you gain a whole new level of respect for conductors when you try and do it yourself.  The orchestra sounded amazing especially as it was in a church – the acoustics sounded great.  Now I’m just trying to get another orchestral piece, ‘Storm’ played by a full orchestra.

Your debut EP ‘Wish’ is out now and samples from the release can be listened to on your MySpace page. In ‘Wish’ you effortlessly marry a haunting poetic beauty with spellbinding vocals. Yours is a bold, confident music with a remarkable emotional depth. ‘Wish’ has a haunting resonance and manifests as the dawn chorus of an emerging talent. Now, before people start to think I’m on commission with the record label or something, I’d better ask the question: Are you excited about the EP’s release? Do you have a favourite track?

Very kind words! Well, I’m glad you like it. I dont have a favourite track, that feels a bit like asking a parent if they have a favourite child.  One might get offended.

What are you working on at the moment? Will ‘Wish’ be followed by more Eps and or an album?

I am looking to release a full album, but I dont think it’ll be possible until next year.  I’m gathering my thoughts together though – I have a name – and some song ideas…watch this (or my)space. Also I’m just about to start scoring a short film for a company called Mica films, and always booking gig dates.

How can people find out where they can see you play live?

Either my myspace page, www.myspace.com/clairebatchelor

or my official website, www.clairebatchelor.co.uk

I generally gig with my cellist, Steph which I love doing as the cello sounds beautiful.  She also played on the EP.

Finally, I’ve just come to the end of a yearlong challenge to learn as many languages as possible. What do you think of my language learning challenge? What would you most like to have achieved by this time next year?

Wow, how many did you manage to learn?! This time next year I would hope to be thinking about releasing that album I mentioned. If not, maybe just eating some jaffa cakes.

Hear tracks from ‘Wish’ here

Buy ‘Wish’ here

Marty Meets: Lauren Derwent

http://www.myspace.com/laurenderwent

Stumbling across this woman’s talent is like discovering a secret that’s about to take the country by storm. Marty Meets up-and-coming singer-songwriter, Lauren Derwent.

Hi, Lauren. Would you like to introduce yourself?

No. hehe just kidding My name’s Lauren and I’m a singer/songwriter.

How would you describe your music?

I would describe my music as mainstream Pop, theatrical and very British! Thought provoking and meaningful songs with a message.

Who are your musical influences?

Well, I’ve been compared to Queen, Abba, The Carpenters, Kate Bush, Kate Nash, Lily Allen, Scouting For Girls, and Natasha Bedingfield! So I guess a mix of 70’s Pop and modern day British, with a hint of Jazz (since I have a love for Jazz).

You clearly have an amazing talent for song writing. What inspires you to write? Do you get your ideas from “modern life” or from personal experiences? Do you find yourself waking up in the small hours of the night with an idea or do you set aside time to write during the day?

Most of my songs stem from personal experience, the way the world today makes me feel, and my take on things. I’ve written songs in my sleep before! But usually an idea comes from emotion, and it could be some chords, a melody, or lyrics… then I expand on that emotion until it becomes pallitable for others.

“Wood For The Trees” has this fabulously quirky, upbeat feel to it. But then, in “Merry Go Round”, you switch seamlessly into haunting poetry. Then “Broke” comes along and takes things to yet another level. How do you decide on the “mood” of a song? In other words: how do you decide whether to make the song slow or upbeat, emotionally charged or funny and satirical?

Haha! Well, to be honest it normally just comes how it comes… I don’t try to make anything a certain way, it’s more of a natural process. I’m currently co-writing and sometimes when a song perhaps isn’t working in a certain style we experiment and try out each others suggestions… it’s great because the other person might have a different take on it to you, one you may never have thought of.

You were the leading vocalist and percussionist with the National Youth Jazz Orchestra for 5 years. How did you get involved with the National Youth Jazz Orchestra and what was the experience of playing with them like?

I met a singer who used to sing with them years ago, and now lead the weekly vocal workshop, and she told me about them, encouraging me to go along. so one week I braved it, and the first experience was very daunting… standing in the middle of a 25 piece orchestra with all these talented musicians staring at you waiting for you to make a mistake! I left a couple of times due to losing my confidence, but I always went back, and worked hard to earn the vocal chair. The percussion kind of came by accident because we were invited to play on a Jazz cruise and tour Florida and only 20 members could go, so if you were a singer you needed to also play an instrument! So one day, the director called me up and said, “Lauren, you’re booked on all the gigs on percussion for the next year”… I already played congas and bongos etc but I had to learn how to play the vibraphone using 2 fingers on a piano!! It was a wonderful experience, giving me the opportunity to perform in some great venues, and on the bill with some of the Jazz greats. My vocal technique improved, as the songs were hard, as well as my confidence.

I like Jazz music a lot. I once stayed up all night in a hotel in Hyde Park watching a programme about Diana Krall on a German language channel. I had no idea what anyone was saying on the show but I loved the music. But I know a lot of young people might not think of jazz as being a fun or exciting musical genre. What sparked your interest in jazz music?

Diana Krall’s a great pianist! Yes, my dad’s always been into Jazz and my grandad was a Jazz musician in the 40’s, so I guess it’s partly in the blood. I love the spontinaity of Jazz, and the emotional outpore you can channel through improvising, losing all your inhibitions and communicating on a very special level with other musicians you’re performing with.

Which is better: recording tracks in a studio or playing live?

Hmm… I love both, but if I had to make a decision (wohoo!) it’d have to be live… you can’t beat the adrenalin and buzz you get from an audiences reaction to the music.

Which would you choose: number 1 single or critical acclaim?

Critical acclaim… for having a number 1 single hahahahaha!!

You teach singing and, from what I’ve read, you’ve done a lot to encourage people to become involved in music. But there’s been a lot in the news recently about poor quality music lessons in some schools. I played two brass instruments when I was at school and I enjoyed playing them but I stopped playing after I left school. What’s the best way to encourage children, young people or anybody else to develop a passion for music?

Yes, I think the danger can be a blanket approach to teaching, as all children are different and have different needs. Music can be wonderful therapy… I have some students for whom singing is just a hobby, an outlet, away from their day job, and others who lack confidence or focus. It’s important to give constructive criticism, but always follow with positive encouragement… it’s more important for them to learn and grow and enjoy the experience, than it is to get it right… they say the journey’s usually more important than the destination. Also to remember that everyone’s still learning… I can learn from my pupils just as they can learn from me.

Is there an album in the pipeline?

Yes, we’ve written the album and it will hopefully be for sale ‘in the making’ soon!

Finally, I’m coming to the end of a yearlong challenge to learn as many languages as possible. Can you speak a foreign language? What do you think of my language learning challenge?

Good for you… I think it’s a great idea! I wish I could speak another language fluently. I know some spanish… Mucho gusto Marty, bueno suertes en todos… vivo los suenos

Marty Meets: Hannah Scott

Photo Credit: Ian Rees

www.hannahscott.co.uk

www.myspace.com/hannahscottuk

Every once in a while, a singer-songwriter comes along and leaves the competition standing. She recently supported Cara Dillon and her new EP ‘Falling into spring’ is out next month. Marty Drury chats about language learning and music with Hannah Scott.

Which languages can you speak?

French, Italian, some German and a little less Spanish!

Why did you decide to study modern languages?

If I’m totally honest, it’s because those were the subjects I was best at at school! I’d done a couple of French and German exchange trips and had really enjoyed the opportunity to meet people from different cultures and more importantly, be able to communicate with them. Just before I went to University, I went to Italy with my family for the first time and totally fell in love with it, although I was frustrated that I could not communicate with the people. It was this trip which inspired me to take up Italian at University alongside French and German.

You spent a year in Tuscany and Monaco. What was that like?

An amazing experience. I was 19 and as part of my degree was required to spend a year abroad. I had the choice of going to a University abroad, doing a language course or looking for work. I chose the latter in order to earn some money and gain some experience and organised a 9 month placement on a Tuscan estate and a 4 month placement at a hotel in Monte Carlo. The two experiences were very different but looking back they have given me so much and I am still close to a lot of the people I met when I was there.

Would you ever consider recording a song in a language other than English?

I have done! I’ve written one song in French and three in Italian. Italian is a great language to write in since all their words rhyme!! I’ve not written anything in a different language for a while though – I think living in the countries inspired me more to write in their languages and now I’m back in the UK, English seems to come more naturally.

This is Hannah singing “Ghost Town” Live At The Institute, Kelvedon. It’s from the Youtube Video Channel, HannahScottUK. I’ve been alive for nearly 28 years, I’ve listened to a lot of music and I cut my teeth as a music journalist- but I think I’m ready to say this: “Ghost Town” by Hannah Scott is now my favourite song. Not just my favourite song on her album. My favourite song full stop. I know, I know, bold praise indeed. But “Ghost Town” is poetically haunting and breathtakingly beautiful. Hannah’s songwriting prowess is off the scale. She’s a breath of fresh air in the music business and she’s headed all the way to the top. Time to stop taking my word for it. Instead, buy her album here.

Back to the interview….

Who are your musical influences?

I grew up listening to classical music and am classically trained on the piano. Once I got to high school it was no longer ‘cool’ to listen to classical music so I began listening to chart music. Once I got to about 15 I began listening to artists I still enjoy today, people like Alanis Morrisette, Counting Crows and Sarah McLachlan. Now I listen to a lot of singer-songwriters, for example Tom Baxter and Paolo Nutini.

Which is better: recording an EP or album or playing live?

Playing live without a doubt. Recording is really satisfying, especially as I perform and write acoustically – putting drums, bass, strings etc really can bring a track to life. But playing live is where the emotion is and where the real connection with an audience is.

Which would you choose: number 1 single or critical acclaim?

Critical acclaim. A number 1 single might mean I’d never have to work again but I’d rather people thought I was a great songwriter than everyone buying one song and me disappearing off the radar like so many one hit wonders have done in the past…

This is “Grey” by Hannah Scott, performed live at High Barn. The video is taken from the Youtube video channel: Hannah Scott UK.

Back to the interview…

What do you think of my language learning challenge?

I think it’s a great idea! Languages on school curriculums continue to lose importance and I think this is really sad and will only continue the general British feeling that everyone else should speak English in order to communicate with us. Anything done to challenge this concept can only be positive in my mind. Best of luck with it!

Buy Hannah’s album on CD Here

Download Hannah’s album from iTunes here.

Once upon a time, I was a music journalist. I used to turn up at gigs and have long conversations with the door staff along the lines of: “No. I’m Marty. I’m on the guest list. No, not David…Marty”. On the odd occasion, I actually got inside the venue and was able to review the gig. Seriously, I loved my early years writing about music. The money was awful and the hours were long but, every now and then, a real gem of a singer-songwriter would come along and make everything worthwhile. Of course, money talks and I went where the money was. Not because I wanted to but because I needed to. You can only survive on Marmite and crumpets for so long. I wrote features for women’s magazines and PR people sent me moisturiser samples through the post- an “interesting” experience for a young, straight man who is constantly trying to preserve his “manly” image whilst concealing the fact that he is probably the only straight man for five miles with his own Jane Austen collection. But then, whilst I was working in the world of features, I chanced upon a Myspace page and heard a voice. A voice of poetry, passion, emotion and energy. A voice for the present and for the future. Hannah Scott’s voice.

I’m by no means the first person to discover this amazing musical artist. In fact, in some respects it feels as if I turned up late to the party because it is quite clear Hannah already has many fans. But that really is Hannah’s skill as a singer-songwriter. Whether you see her live or you listen to her album or you watch her Youtube videos, you feel as though she is singing directly to you. Not to a room full of people. Just to you. Her songs speak to you on a deep, emotional level. It’s something you’ve never seen before and it’s something you’re not going to forget. Without really thinking about it, I’ve been humming one of Hannah’s songs whilst writing this interview. Her songs stay with you in the same way your closest friends stick by you- through the good times and the bad, through the happiness and the sadness, through the challenges and the all night parties. Through life and through love. Through everything. Constant musical companions that suddenly cast a ray of sunshine on the most cloudy of days.

The author, John Banville said of the late John Updike- the author who merged the emotional, evocative and exotic with the ordinary- that: “simply no one writes this well”. Sorry John, someone does write that well and her name is Hannah Scott.