In Conversation with ‘Ragz’
A little background:
Quoting Ragz on her own myspace.com – she
is listed as a singer songwriter ‘born and raised in a land
coloured by northern lights and fairytale creatures. Her music
is of spellbinding, acoustic tones and weaves intricately with
her soul
tingling voice. ‘ before adding the
following quotes:
“A crowd hushing voice & enchanting songs"
Richard Twine, L*A*W*M
“The epitome of beatitude of appearance and voice”
Alicia Rose
“Siren with star quality” –
Jade Wright,
Liverpool Echo
“The songstress is breathing new life into her craft with
the rest of us looking on in amazement. A great girl and a fine
composer ladies and gentlemen”
International Online Music Magazine
I myself discovered her at a recent festival called the Not Part
of Festival when she played after me and I was spellbound.. This
was truly beautiful and haunting stuff and made me want to
contact her for an interview.
The interview itself took a bit of time to arrange, and Ragz
To give her credit got back to her quite quickly, but owning
To personal problems has being delayed in getting put
Up online until now.
A huge sorry to Ragz for this, but here is the interview
In all of it’s glory!
For more information on her – please go to
http://www.myspace.com/ragzmusic
Thanks to Ragz again for all of her patience here.
Regards
Andy N
Setting Sun:
How are things and what’s happening at the
moment?
Ragz:
Things are really good and quite all over the
placeJ I’m on tour promoting my EP at
the moment and I feel
like a
backpacker – it’s great J
Setting Sun:
Next, can you tell us a little bit about your music
– who fired the starting pistol as I like to say
sometimes etc?
Ragz:
My voice and words are what drives my songs and
it’s safe to say that my music is acoustic. I write to let
my emotions out. I think my upbringing fired the first
gun, so to speak. My songwriting was a bit of a hidden
factor, so when I
finally started letting it out at the
age of 20 it was so bottled up it took a very
emotional turn. I’m still recovering J
Setting Sun:
Music-wise, what are your influences and who are
you listening to at the moment?
Ragz:
Through my childhood I would raid my dads’ vinyl
collection, not sure if he knows. But with that came
an instant love for anything from Simon and Garfunkel
and Janis Joplin to Jackson 5. Later came names like
Jeff Buckley, Tom Waits, Ray LaMontagne and
Kate Bush. Right now it’s Beirut and Amy Winehouse.
Setting Sun:
I know from speaking to you previously you play
concerts on a regular-ish basis? How does your
approach change to playing in your studio work?
Ragz:
For me, the approach is very similar. It’s the song and
the emotions it holds that control the moment. On stage and
in the studio it comes alive and I like to let it lead. Off
course,
in the studio you get to stay with each song for longer. It’s
the
same journey, but it’s lived out on a different timescale.
Setting Sun:
Probably my favourite song of yours is ‘Breathe‘ –
can you tell us a little bit more about that song?
Ragz:
“Breathe” was written very, very early one morning after a
week of no sleeping. Sometimes your mind and body tightens
up so much, you loose perspective and the ability to relax.
The song was written to remind myself and anyone else that
you need to let go to move on.
Setting Sun:
What’s next for you? Do you have any recordings
planned etc?
Ragz:
After the Tour, I hope to go back into the studio and
record new songs.
They’re all stored up and ready to be captured on tapeJ
Setting Sun:
I normally ask people next where they are from but
I know you are currently living in Liverpool, and I
know what a hot bed for gigs and local talent it is
over there, so I won’t ask what is the local scene is
like over there so instead I’ll ask you have you seen
any good concerts recently over there?
Ragz:
I’ve been missing out a little lately because of the tour,
but it’s normally the
local acts that inspire me.
Great bands and talented artists who haven’t, and might
never, make it to TV or to the main stream marke, can
do much more for me
than most polished big sellers
Setting Sun:
What would be your dream job if you were not a
musician?
Ragz:
I don’t dream of other jobs, to be honest. J
I have nightmares though… it normally involves
being trapped and falling, so hopefully I’ll never
have to work as an elevator bell boy(girl)
Setting Sun:
What would you like to be doing when you are 60?
Ragz:
I hope I’m in love and still playing... Maybe I have
finally taught myself to play the accordion properly J
Setting Sun:
Lastly, what will you be doing when you are 60?
Ragz:
I think I’d like to leave this question open. “Hoping”
is one thing, but actually trying to set the scene is scary!
Besides, I’m a sucker for surprisesJ