Newcastle’s Melody Pool To Launch New EP This Friday Night
Local singer-songwriter Melody Pool is launching her EP Awake, You’re All Around Me this Friday night at Newcastle’s Great Northern Hotel. I caught up with Melody to discuss her influences, the EP, and plans for the future.
How would you describe your style of music?
I think it’s kind of folk/country really.
How long have you been playing and writing your own songs?
I’ve been singing since I was nine, playing guitar since I was 12 and writing songs since I was 16!
What made you decide this was something you wanted to pursue professionally?
I think it’s just always been music for me. I have grown up surrounded by it and I’ve never wanted to do anything else.
Who would you say has been the biggest influence on your music career to this day?
If I’m honest, and though I hate to say it, my ex boyfriend haha! When I got really hurt, I needed to write about it, and it started me writing songs. I couldn’t write before I got hurt, so I think it unleashed the songwriter in me. Musically though, Patty Griffin and Laura Marling really push me to want to be a good writer.
Your father, Alby Pool is a talented musician. Do you think he has had a big influence on your music?
Of course! If he wasn’t involved in music, I wouldn’t be, so I really owe a lot to him.
Your EP Awake, You’re All Around Me has just been released, what type of a reaction have you received from your fans?
So far, they seem to love it, which is so great. I think most people will get it at the launch, so not a lot have heard it unless they’ve bought it on Bandcamp, but I’m looking forward to hearing other people’s reactions to it.
How long had you worked on the EP? What was the recording process like for you?
I think we started in about August 2010 and recorded up until March 2011 before printing and artwork started. I love recording! I had the pleasure of working with Rhys Zacher, who is an incredibly producer and artist. I love his work and he really made it so fun and easy!
Are you happy with the way the EP turned out?
I am thrilled! It’s the first real showcase of my songwriting which I am so incredibly excited about and I’m really proud of how it turned out.
What is your favourite song on the EP?
Oh it’s a hard one, I really love ‘Benita’, and I think ‘Broken and Bound’ is a lot more mature so I love that one too.
Benita has been receiving great responses on your Triple J unearthed page, is this something you were expecting?
Not really. Haha, it’s so great though. I put it up in the hope I might get a good reaction and people have just been so lovely to me.
What inspires you to write music?
Other music, usually my life experiences. I mainly write when I’m really passionate about something. I think the best songs I’ve written have been ones I’ve written in a haste because it’s been dying to come out, and has just been meant to exist.
Do you have any plans for a full-length album in the future?
I definitely do. I have already written some songs that I plan to put on my album, and I’ll be playing a few of them at my EP launch!
What have been the highlights of your music career so far?
To be honest, no gig, or meeting with people has ever satisfied me as much as sitting in my room writing a song and being completely happy with it. It’s so comforting and relieving to know I have such an awesome friend in music, haha.
Who has been your favourite artist to play alongside?
I’m not sure actually. I love playing music with my friends which is why I’m really excited for my EP Launch. It’s just going to be so fun sharing it with people I care so much about!
If you could cover a song with anyone in the world, who would it be and what song would you choose?
I would cover ‘Blues Run The Game’ with Laura Marling. I wish!
What can people expect when they come to see you at your album launch?
A lot of love and fun times.
What does the rest of 2011 have in store for Melody Pool?
I’m just touring with my friend Kirsty Akers for the release of her new album and just promoting my own EP.
How can people get their hands on your EP if they can’t make it to the album launch?
They can buy it on Bandcamp or come to any of my gigs and grab a copy.
Where can people stay up to date with all things Melody Pool?
I’m on Twitter & Facebook, so get in touch!
Support Melody by getting along to her album launch this Friday night at The Great Northern Hotel to see her perform alongside Nikko. Entry is free & doors open at 8pm.
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