Simply Six - Jordan Reyne

1. For many artists, they cite a defining moment for themselves when
they knew they wanted to be a singer. For many it was the appearance
of Elvis on the Ed Sullivan show, to another generation it was the
Beatles’ appearance on Sullivan half a decade later. Is there such a
defining moment for you?

There were many such moments. I remember even as a child that it just
felt good. I would make up songs as we took long journeys in the car -
unstructured things that were random descriptions of what was going
past the window. It felt good. I remember the first time I saw two
women singing in harmony, accapella, and it just threw me into a
trance. In a way it has always been the thing that felt like comfort.
Like a warm place where you can make something beautiful even when
everything else around is harsh.


2. When you’re not creating music what are you listening to? Who are
some of your favorites?

Maddy Prior has been a favorite since I was a child. Mum had all the
Steeleye Span records and the harmonies in it were like being drawn
into a magic spell for a kid. She told stories too, which I just
loved. It was more than the sound of her voice, it was the passion in
it. As I've gotten older this is what I have been drawn to more and
more. Wovenhand is a current favorite and a big influence of mine.
David Egine Edwards voice is beautiful like a twisted tree that has
grown to protect its own wounds. The amount of feeling in his voice is
just phenomenal.

3. What would you say is your greatest moment so far as an artist,
either on record or live?

Well the most enjoyable moments come when I think I have created
something that is beautiful. That is my aim realy - to make a record
that does more than just deliver some good songs, but that hangs
together as a story and leads the listener someplace outside of
themselves. I want to take them with me on a journey. In the most
recent albu, I want to take them on Susannahs journey - one of New
Zealands early pioneer women - as many of the women in history are
overlooked. Her story is beautiful in its own right and I wanted to
capture that.

4. Do you believe music can change the world or is just something to
listen to? How much can music influence current events?

In todays culture I would seriously doubt it, unfortunately. Music
seems to be used to pacify the world if anything. Modern capitalism is
reactive in terms of the arts - it identifies existing markets and
produces with them in mind. that stifles innovation, because the idea
of innovation is to do something new or surprising. Noone is suprised
when existing markets are given more of what has sold previously.
Fortunately there is the internet so that may change, though it seems
that, in their panic over indie musicians, the majors work harder at
syndicating and controlling the dessemination of music.

5. How has technology affected the music industry? How has technology
affected your career as a musician?

Without technology I would not be able to do what I do. I use samples
of machine sounds, and the noises of stea, steel and iron to make
rhythms, and that would be almost impossible to do without samplers
and sequencers. For me technology is a real enabler - i think for many
indie musicians it is. We dont have to pay thousands to go to a studio
anymore. We can create the sorts of things that we were not able to
before. Music like Imogen Heap deos not happen without technology.

6. Now for my Barbara Walters question: If you were a pair of shoes
what type of shoes would you be?

Tramping boots. I keep going even when the way is muddy ;)