Project Description
Interview with
MEL PARSONS
by Vicky Hebbs
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Mel Parsons on ‘Just Cause You Don’t Want Me’ – “I started writing this song on the piano – it just arrived to me one night really. I was on tour in the USA, and had a couple of days off in between dates, staying in a cab in on the edge of a lake in Washington State which by happy coincidence had a beautiful old piano in the lounge.”
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Have you always been interested in being a musician? When did it become a serious concern?
I’ve played instruments since I was quite small, though it wasn’t until I left high school and started studying music that I realised that I could and probably should make it my career.
What kind of music did you grow up on? What artists inspired you and which do you still look to now for ideas?
I guess like most people I grew up listening to my parents record collection, which was pretty small but had a lot of the classic songwriters in there. Artists like Paul Simon, Cat Stevens, Fleetwood Mac, Bob Dylan, Tracy Chapman, Bob Dylan, Mark Knopfler, Springsteen… I still listen to and am inspired by all of the stuff I grew up listening to.
Your new album, Glass Heart, is out now. Can you share the origins or inspiration for the album?
It is! It’s great to have it out in the world. The inspiration for most of the songs is quite personal – I feel like it’s pretty blatant once you listen to it, so I’ll leave it at that. I think it’s nicer for people to have their own interpretation of the songs as well – people relate to them better without knowing too much of my experience or intention while listening.
For anyone who has not yet heard your music, which song from Glass Heart would you suggest they listen to first?
Track 1, ‘Blame’.
You travelled a lot while writing Glass Heart. How did this impact your songwriting process and the finished product?
I don’t think the travelling hugely impacted the writing or production of the album, other than maybe I was a bit more focused because of the solid deadline of going into the studio at the end of the tour.
Who are your major music influences?
I listen to so much music, it’s too hard to pin that one down! I often listen obsessively to one artist at a time, and lately it’s been War on Drugs.
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What was it like to work with American producer, Mitchell Froom?
Quite special actually. I remember writing an essay at university on his work, so it was quite surreal years later to be sitting with him in the studio, working on my record. He really got inside the songs, and has an amazing ability to translate the soundscape from his mind onto instruments and down to tape.
You are playing the Woodford Folk Festival in December. Are there any artists you are keen to see perform in between your own performance?
This will be my second time performing at Woodford – I can’t wait to get back, it’s such an epic festival! Looking forward to seeing The Waifs, Irish Mythen, The Maes, The Little Stevies, Kimbra – to name a few.
What are your major goals or aspirations at this point in your career?
With my fourth album, really I just want to continue touring, both here in New Zealand and overseas. I love playing beautiful old theatres, so more tours like that would be wonderful. It’d be great to be able to be able to afford to take my whole band & crew away on all the international runs as well…
What are your plans for 2019? Will you be touring?
Touring – I have a new album so I’ll be on the road for the most part. I’ll be bringing the ‘Glass Heart’ tour to Australia as well North America.
Finally, this is a paragraph dedicated to some quick discovery. Really corny, but for the fans, can you tell me your favorite album, artist, movie, place, drink, meal and person (living or dead) and some brief reasons why? Answer some or all please?
Album – Graceland, Paul Simon, because you can’t help but be in good mood listening to Paul Simon.
Artist – Mark Knopfler, the combination of his voice and guitar playing kills me.
Movie – Harold & Maud, partly for the sound track, but I love the simplicity of it.
Place – Mt Olympus ski field, Canterbury, NZ, I grew up skiing here and I still try and get back as often in winter as I can.
Drink – Green smoothie from Lyttelton Coffee Co. I have no idea what they put in it, but I’m an addict.
Meal – Thai pumpkin soup
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