Interview: Georgie Buchanan
Singer, composer & harpist shares some of her inspirations and the stories behind her new album 'Wise as a Fool' ahead of Bristol gig on Fri 31 March
Georgie Buchanan is singer, harpist & composer based in Leeds, and over the last few years she’s been gaining a national reputation for her music; she recently graduated from Sound & Music’s New Voices development programme (alongside Bristol composer & multi-instrumentalist Tamsin Elliott), and her song ‘Love is a Rocking Wave’ was selected as part of a Radio 4 ‘Singing with Nightingales’ broadcast hosted by Sam Lee. Just this week, her new release ‘St Brid’s Song’ premiered on Folk Radio.
When I first heard her music, I was immediately grabbed by the self-assured simplicity of her writing, the rich tone of her voice and her seemingly effortless weaving of folk, jazz and contemporary classical modalities. Her songs are imaginatively composed, and embody a refreshing unpretentiousness, as though with each line she’d chosen to play and sing the exact notes and words needed to express her idea - no more, no less. That’s a quality that appeals to me in this overcomplicated world we inhabit, and seemed to suggest a strong emotional origin in the work, partnered with a musical maturity that really drew me in.
She’s currently touring the UK to celebrate the launch of her debut album Wise as a Fool (out 28 April), including a gig at The Greenbank in Bristol on Friday 31 March, and I’m grateful to her for answering a few questions about her creative background, inspirations and songwriting process.
Beth: Has singing been a lifelong expression for you?
Georgie: I started singing at a very young age and I have many fond memories of singing along to Jazz records with my mum. I connected with folk music about 10 years ago when I discovered the power of a capella folk songs. I loved the stories and the sound of a single voice ringing out in the silence. Since then I have deepened my connection with the voice through harmony singing and improvisation.
How's the folk scene in Leeds at the moment?
The folk scene is thriving in Leeds at the moment. Chris Brain, an incredible local musician, started Hyde Park Folk Club a few years ago, a monthly folk showcase that attracts incredible folk artists to the area and strengthens the local folk scene. There is also now a folk course at Leeds Conservatoire that attracts musicians to the area. Leeds is full of artists and there are also exciting collaborations across genres and disciplines such as dance, sound art and film.
What's the story behind the title of your new album Wise as a Fool, and how did you go about writing the music?
The title Wise as a Fool came about at a time when I was navigating the stormy seas of mental illness. As I recovered from this difficult time I was reflecting on the wisdom that can be found in the unknown and the unexpected. At this time music was my solace and writing songs such as Minotaur helped me explore and express my experiences. In this song I connected with mythological themes that helped me see beyond my own experiences and connect with others
What role do traditional songs play in your creative process?
I started playing the harp four years ago and this opened up a new realm of traditional tunes I had never been able to play before. I found that certain tunes like Eagle’s Whistle inspired me to write lyrics and further explore the sound world they created. I deeply connect with the storytelling in traditional songs like The Maid on the Shore and this style of ballad inspired me to write my own story songs like Howl, an epilogue to the traditional song The Mackerel of the Sea in which a woman chased by witch hunters magically transforms into a fish and seeks her revenge.
What were you listening to during the process?
My greatest source of inspiration comes from spending time in the natural world. I wrote several of the songs on the album whilst on a sailing trip around the Outer Hebrides exploring its incredible seascapes and landscapes. I composed St Bríd’s Song as I walked along the raging shores of Eriskay using shells as percussion and I adapted the traditional tune Eagle’s Whistle on my travel harp on Berneray beach as I watched the majestic sea birds whirl in the sky.
Is there a feeling or message you'd hope listeners will find in your music?
I hope the album will take the listener on a journey through rich musical landscapes from the mesmeric folk tale of The Maid on the Shore to the raucous rhythms of St Bríd’s Song and Howl. There is also a strong thread throughout that explores music as healing and I hope that ethereal songs like Eagle’s Whistle and Paper Boats will express the power of music to soothe and transform.
Catch Georgie live in Bristol on Friday 31 March at The Greenbank, with support from folk singer Kerry Smith. Tickets & info via Headfirst Bristol: hdfst.uk/E86059