Roo Panes – Quiet Man

By starrymag | January 3, 2019

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

Q) How would you describe your sound?

A) It’s actually different depending on each song. For instance, when I think about it “A Message to Myself” from this new album is very ambient, minimalistic and electronic whilst “Little Giant” is folky and acoustic. Each song is a world of its own for me. But I think the continuity is that the effect of the sound is usually, peaceful, intense and stirring. So, I describe the sound more by the emotional landscape it creates than a genre or anything.

 

Q) Who are some of your musical influences?

A) Well, classical first and foremost, because it’s the art of creating musical transportation with only melody. But then my taste is pretty wide with everything else, as long as the piece of work catches me. I tend to like emotive music, bands like Junip, Sigur Rós and Fleet Foxes. But whilst on tour in USA last week we were just chatting as a group about how we mainly listen to each other’s music. We’ve suddenly go a group of close friends who are mega talented and we all enjoy listening to each other. That was most of our tour playlist – bands like Wovoka Gentle or Blanco White, Julianna Zachariou and Josh Flowers.

 

Q) Talk about the story behind your new song “Ophelia.” What do you think it is about the song that fans connect to?

A) It’s a story we all understand. It’s about the wrestle of understanding your value and embracing hope for someone and yourself. There’s been so many occasions in life where I just so wanted someone to know how special they were, how loved they were, how carefully made they were and to say don’t let the world break you down or make you go into self-destruct. Ophelia was a character in Hamlet that, for me, has always been the epitome of misunderstood and her story ends in tragedy. It felt like the right title to tell this story. Like most songs, this song has a wider meaning yet is also specific.

 

Q) How does the video for the track play into the message behind it?

A) Well, I actually left the video up to the interpretation of the director this time, so it was really cool to see his angle and what it had meant to him. He took it as a message of encouragement to the next generation and told the story through a man losing his daughter but finding hope in his granddaughter.

 

Q) The song was originally produced by Chris Bond. What made you decide to incorporate additional production & mixing to the track? 

A) I think that sometimes you just want to revisit something. You just have a little feeling that the song has more to give than you first realized. Album recording is fast and you’re looking at a lot of songs at once, so when you zoom in on one it becomes clearer that you wanted this or that. It was one of those songs.

 

Q) What is your song writing process? Do you need music before you can create lyrics? 

A) Well, I’ve always had a thing for “catching” a song – like bottling up a moment with all its different angles, in poetry, melody, concept. You’ve got all these tools to recreate that sensation, feeling or revelation that’s inspired you. That’s my aim and the thing I love best.  Sometimes a song takes twenty minutes and you’ve got it! Sometimes it takes years to accurately relive and remaster that moment. Sometimes you get a title, sometimes a melody first. But mostly I like to let it arrive, then it feels natural – and as if it was a ready thought – rather than a something on a factory line.

 

Q) How much of hand do you have in the production of your music? 

A) It depends how you see production. I don’t have technical skills with software, but I do hear it in my head so I’m designing it, communicating it and recreating that “world” I was chatting about – sounds, arrangements, tones. I guess that’s all production. But you work as a team to get there.

 

Q) You’re currently touring the US! What can fans expect from a live Roo Panes performance?

A) Yeah! Well, I’m just back. It was so much fun. Honestly, I just get up and sing my songwriting. Some of my European tour was solo, which was cool, but the second half was with the band. The audiences always seem to be attentive and fun. Our set is like listening to stories I suppose and reliving memories and feelings.

 

Q) What songs off your album Quiet Man do you most enjoy performing live?

A) I love playing “Quiet Man” the song! Also, “Year in a Garden,” “Ophelia” and “A Message to Myself.” They were the ones we did in USA, but now I’m adding a couple more like “Sketches of Summer.” It’s really nice to play new songs in general and be confident in playing them live. I think my favorite of all is “My Narrow Road” though.

 

Q) What do you hope listeners take away from listening to your album as a whole?

A) Hmm, I kind of leave that up to them. I hope it’s an album you can live alongside and unpack for years. It’s got so many things I’ve lived through in it, that it’s really hard to pick out what I want people to hear most! Perhaps I want people to feel a sense of home when they hear it. For me, it was a process of finding peace and contentment against the backdrop of all the mysteries and big questions surrounding life, the relentless pace of modern life and coming out the other side happy.

 

Q) Where are some of your favorite places to perform and what makes those locations so significant to you? 

A) The more I play, the more I realize that I love intimate venues where the tone is set, and people can switch off and relax. I think that the people make the place really, or funny things like it raining outside while you play. For instance, one of my favorite shows from this tour was in Denver. It was such a cozy show because it was a sold out show squeezed into an intimate venue, and off the side of stage I could see it was snowing through the window. So rather than venues being the main thing, it’s the atmosphere of the evening.

 

Q) Who would you most like to collaborate with on a song in the future?

A) I’d love to collaborate with an orchestra or something with big scope. I’ve been wanting to at some point do a bit of a classical project but can’t seem to find the time!

 

Q) What album/band/ songs are you currently listening to and why do u dig them?

A) I think the song of our USA tour was “Elegy” by Life Vollebeck. It’s just great writing – such an interesting story, so well explored. Also, “Walking Lightly” by Junip and “Not Dark Yet” by Bob Dylan – for their nostalgic rhythm sections. I personally loved the production on them. And, finally, Regina Spektor’s song “Samson.” I love all the different movements.

 

Q) You are a part of social media. Why is that such an important way for you to connect with your fans?

A) I’m actually really not great with social media! But I can see it’s a must when it comes to staying in touch. Personally, I like Instagram because I love photography and can actually share something! But yes, it’s so encouraging to receive listeners comments and thoughts.

 

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?

A) A big thanks! It’s always really humbling that anyone wants to listen to you, and I’m always staggered by people’s generosity in doing so. The support has been so encouraging.