FANZEYEVIEW
KARA GRAINGER INTERVIEW©Fanzeyeview 2011
Hello Kara, where were you born , where do you reside?
I'm currently living in Beachwood Canyon California but grew up in the inner city town of Balmain, Sydney, Australia..
How did you get started in music? Influences at that age?
There was quite a lot of live music in the area, lots of blues bars. My brother who was two years older also had a band that I would go and watch regularly and that I eventually joined with. I was also influenced by my parents record collection..
My mother was a fan of Linda Rondstadt, Joan Baez and Joni Mitchell, where my father was more interested in country folk.
What instruments do you play?
I mainly sing and play guitar although am now beginning to pick up a little more piano. I have a stratocaster, a Martin, Maton, and Harmony for Slide.
What is your method of song-writing?
Usually for Songwriting I try and do a couple of hours every few days, I'll record melodies and chord patterns on my Iphone and make sense of them later..
First band and or live gig?
My first band was with my brother and was called PAPA LIPS we played a variety of original songs, soul funk and blues.
The first time I performed was when I was 13 at a weekly school assembly.. I believe I performed "Hotel California", with three other girls from my class, which is kind of ironic as I now live in California..
Other bands you now sit in with or play in?
I recently played a few shows with Paddy Milner who is one of Londons best piano players, that was a real joy, we also did a show with his band at Ronnie Scotts which was fantastic. Yes I remember Kara, Ronnie's and one of the London shows, both excellant.
What was the process behind Grand And Green River ?
Grand and Green River was written over a few years and then recorded in Los Angeles California.. I took some old songs from home and wrote some new ones with help from a couple of great writers there. I was also traveling a lot to Austin at the time and believe that the sound is quite a cross between music you hear in
Austin and LA.
Then of course the LA Blues cd, was that due to relocating?
I have been in LA for three years now however since making Grand and Green River my live shows have been consisting of a lot more blues . I have discovered a community of great players which has been really enjoyable. I have particularly enjoyed playing with James Gadson, , Jeff Young and Kirk Fletcher to name a few.
Are you good at touring or is it a necessary evil ?
I absolutely love touring and am looking forward to 2012 for that reason, it looks like I'll be back over in London in June 2012 :)
There seems to be a wealth of Aussie blues based talent around, is that a genre of music thats always been there or a relatively new genre there ?
Blues and Soul has always been very popular in Australia, its a style of music that works particularly well in the local pubs and all kinds of venues.. There were a few bands in the 80's and 90's that really played the style well and that also helped in introducing more awareness of the style..
Bands such as The Backsliders, The Bondi Cigars, The Hippo's, Sally King and many more..
Favourite song/artist?
I have very varied musical taste.. I particularly love Otis Rush, Albert King, Joni Mitchell,and I recently really enjoyed a song by Florence and the Machine called What the Water Gave Me.., One of my other favorite songs is When a Man Loves a Woman, Percy Sledge.
Favourite musicians to work with ?
My favorite musicians to play with are those that really listen, and play with heart and soul. I try to remind myself to do the same as well..
Future plans ?
Well I'm just about to head off to Indonesia for another show there.., I'll be in touring in Australia over xmas and January and then will return to LA.. I hope to record a new original CD whilst I'm in LA, which I will take with me to Europe in June 2012
