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Artist Interviews
Q&A: Nancy Elizabeth
By CMU Editorial | Published on Wednesday 28 October 2009
Hailing from Manchester, Nancy Elizabeth is a singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, mixing folk and post-folk influences. Her debut EP, ‘The Wheel Turning King’, was released under her full name Nancy Elizabeth Cunliffe in 2006 on Timbreland, followed by the release of her first album, ‘Battle And Victory’, in 2007 on The Leaf Label. Her second album, ‘Wrought Iron’ was released this month. Nancy will be supporting Efterklang on their UK tour from the 29 Oct, before going out on her own headline trek next month, which includes a show at The Borderline in London on 21 Nov. We spoke to Nancy to ask our Same Six Questions.
Q1 How did you start out making music?
By drumming on my mum’s pots and pans when I was tiny. I was fascinated and obsessed by everything musical from then on, and I suppose it was inevitable that I’d start writing once I’d learned how to speak.
Q2 What inspired your latest album?
Hard to say, but in general, the feeling that I lacked a home to call my own, and the itchy feet which prevented me settling.
Q3 What process do you go through in creating a track?
I start by messing about with a guitar/piano/other instrument, then comes the excitement of an initial musical idea and feeling it’s the best idea I ever had, then comes lyric writing, then self-loathing, then feeling it is the worst idea in the world, then deciding to make the structure work, and make the lyrics fit, then not listening to it for a while, then coming back and making an objective decision as to whether I should let it out of the bag and record it. Maybe making a last minute change if I think something needs it.
Q4 Which artists influence your work?
I think it’s beyond me to know exactly what has influenced me. Michael Jackson has probably had a big input, so by default, blues and Motown. Folk from the 70s, Radiohead. Arvo Part is a massive inspiration. Smashing Pumpkins, Aphex Twin. Anything. I’m even sure that Muzak that I have subconsciously heard in lifts has influenced me on some level!
Q5 What would you say to someone experiencing your music for the first time?
Please listen and don’t be impatient, but I totally understand if you don’t get it or can’t be bothered.
Q6 What are your ambitions for your latest single, and for the future?
I’d love my single to do as well as it can. I want to carry on making music, and I’d like a nice place to live in peace where I can write. I’d like to own my own piano, and to tour beautiful concert halls. I want get involved in other projects which challenge me, to work with great musicians and be able to create wonderful sound. I would also secretly like designers to give me free clothes, but it’s not a priority and I’m not willing to starve myself to become a skinny pop star. I’m not entirely serious about the free clothes thing. Mainly, I want my music to be able to reach all ears that will enjoy it, to always be able to make great recordings and play wonderful shows. I’d also very much like to write a film score in the future.
MORE>> www.nancyelizabeth.co.uk
