Hello Fini how are you?
I’m great, thanks!
Congratulations on the release of “Last Night Of The World” how does it feel?
It feels really good- it was a long time coming (from conception to realisation) and it straddles the birth of my daughter, so I am relieved & also proud to have wrapped it – the work/baby-life struggle is real.
It’s a ten track album, what’s the story behind it?
Yes, these are songs that came off the back of lockdown; moving home; deciding to have a family. So the themes that reveal themselves throughout the record are dealing with these big ideas; asking questions, searching for meaning, processing experiences & loss.
What’s your favourite track from it?
Each song tells a story for me but at the moment Violent Universe, because it’s a song that really evolved through the writing process. It started as an idea after hearing a talk given by scientist Brian Cox about the universe. I wanted to get in all these facts and details but it ended up feeling a little like a science lesson, rather than a song that had a heartbeat and story.
So I went back to the drawing board and found a perspective through which I could capture more of the essence of what he was saying -through the lens of a new mother, living in South East London, looking up into the sky and going ‘My God it’s absolutely nuts that we are here at all!’.
What’s your stand out memory from recording it?
Towards the end of the recording process I remember Gareth Lockrane coming over to put some alto flute on the song OKR, and we timed it with Bridget’s morning nap. So he’s in my make-shift vocal/flute booth, complete with cushions and duvets, playing these ridiculous flute solos, take after take, and Bridget is fast asleep the whole time in the sling. Magic!
What were the challenges and positives that you faced while putting it together?
The main challenge was the time-frame; because I started the recording process before getting pregnant things took longer to complete. As a result this meant that by the time the album was mixed I had the feeling that it was already old, and that I would do a much better job if I started over. It was hard to reconcile myself with some of the choices I made, especially as I felt I had developed so much (as a songwriter) over the past couple of years (since writing the bulk of the material). It’s a good lesson in humility and in letting go- it will always be imperfect and that’s ok!
It’s your fifth album, what have you learned about yourself since recording your first one?
It’s ok to do something different. Don’t stay in the same musical place (even though it’s easier for promoters!)
It will never be perfect, and its just a snapshot in time.
How has your writing process changed since then?
Definitely with more emphasis on words & story-telling. Music is the easy part, but it’s drawing out the narrative in an effective way which has it’s challenges.
You’re a London based singer songwriter and composer, how did it all begin for you?
I had a great music teacher at sixth form called Martin Read (Alton College in Hampshire). He really shaped my love for music & he is without a doubt the reason I do this.
What did you listen to growing up?
Fleetwood Mac, Belinda Carlisle, Swing Out Sister (lol), and a bit of late Steely Dan. We also listened to loads of movie soundtracks so my taste was pretty eclectic! I got into Jazz via the Joni Mitchell album Mingus and then picking up the tenor saxophone (& listening to Dexter Gordon, Stan Getz and Joe Henderson).
You’re a professor of jazz voice and songwriting at London’s Guildhall, what three pieces of advice would you give to a young songwriter starting out?
1. You have to show up and write. There is no mystery really, just make the practice regular, make it part of your daily life, and commit like it’s an instrument.
2. Try not to put pressure on each song being the ‘one’- rather, think of it like an exercise and if something great comes out of it, that’s a bonus!
3. Absorb the music/words you are trying to create- so listen to songwriters, read poetry, get inside the sound world you love.
You’ve also got live dates coming up this summer how are preparations going for it?
I’ve prepared by sending out playlists to the musicians involved, and we have have some rehearsals coming up to solidify the music. Some of them play on the album so it should be quite straight forward… I’ve also been busy designing posters which I’ve just had printed, and now I’m currently designing merch… it’s all about the merch!
What are you listening to at the moment?
Eska’s new album- The Ordinary Life of a Magic Woman is insane. Also listening to (and loving) Michael Mayo Four, Everything Everything Mountainhead, and always the Dirty Projectors.
What are you looking forward to doing next?
The tour will be really fun & I love playing the music in and seeing how it continues to evolve. I’m looking forward to recording a new record, too but this time in the studio.. just need to figure out my finances and I’ll be away! Finally, I also run a 12 week creativity program called Creative Beans that kicks off again in the autumn, when I will be working with a number of amazing individuals.
