We caught up with Angie Jean earlier in 2014 where we chatted about her superb seven piece act 'Cranberry Flick', this time, we were to question her more about what made HER tick, we had a chat about Brian Blessed, Jon Bon Jovi and Alice in Wonderland, here's how we got on....
Please introduce yourself and your music in one sentence....
I’m Angie Jean, singer with the band Cranberry Flick and have just released an acoustic solo album, ‘Reflecting Echoes’.
Right Angie, you’re a member of the band Cranberry Flick, now trying your hand at some solo stuff, what made you decide to give this a go and are the band still together?
I started Cranberry Flick, a 7 piece swing jazz and blues band alongside Ken Morrell our sax player 2 years ago, the band is still very much together and going really well.. we are really enjoying gigging and growing as a band. Before starting the band I had already met Rob, an amazingly talented guitarist and songwriter, the whole time I’ve been singing with Cranberry Flick I have also been writing and recording vocals for the album.
‘Reflecting Echoes’ your solo album where was this recorded and why did you choose that studio?
Reflecting Echoes is an online collaboration and was recorded in home studios, Rob recording guitars and all other instruments such as bass, harmonica and mandolin, I recorded my vocals sending to Rob to add to the mix.. the final mixes of all tracks were then sent to a studio in Las Vegas for mastering. The result being a very real and live sounding album.
What have you noticed about being in a large group to going solo? What are the pros and cons?
Both projects are very different and I feel very honoured and lucky to have the best of both worlds! The Band, singing on stage with the 6 incredibly talented musicians is just so very awesome! Recording the album, equally awesome, and different in the way that they are original songs and I loved the opportunity and creativity of writing and recording them, it’s very freeing and I love every second of both.
How and when did you decide that you wanted to be a performer?
As long as I can remember I’ve always loved to sing, about 3 years ago I received the most incredible birthday present… 3 hours in a recording studio, I loved it so much I knew I had to do something. I googled and joined a few musicians websites and that’s where I met Rob who was looking to start a recording project, and then Ken with whom I started Cranberry Flick.
What advice would you give a musician who’s trying to be heard and noticed?
Never give up.. hang on to the enthusiasm and keep pushing, be creative, polite and considerate, always.
What is the best advice you ever received and who was it from?
An awesome friend once advised to always follow your dreams... except the ones where you’re naked at work.
Would you rather live with a dog that sings lullabies or a gorilla that can do sign language? Explain your answer
Ohh… a dog that sings lullabies every time! (Britain’s got talent here we come ;))
In your opinion, what is the BEST album/record ever released and why?
Wow, so many to choose from! But I really love Nirvana’s album ‘Unplugged in New York’ just brilliant.
If you had a chance to put together your own ‘super group’, who would be in it? (only living members please)
Hmmmm.. Batman, Robin, Spiderman, Superman and Wonder Women. Controversial I know, no Ironman or Captain America ... But I like old school ..hehe
Seriously though, I’m so proud and honoured to be singing with Cranberry Flick, Leo Al Lawrence our Guitarist, Ken Morrell on Sax, Ted Webster on Trumpet, Leon Wade who plays Keys, Glenn Martin on Bass and Trombone (but not at the same time, that would be silly!) and Mike Bufton our drummer, all so very talented, they are without doubt my super group.
If music was a person who would it be?
Brian Blessed.. loud, bold full of feeling, passion and emotion, clever with talented layers.
Describe ‘Reflecting Echoes’ to the readers?
Relaxing, ambient and rhythmic sounds layered with relatable and meaningful lyrics. Reflecting Echoes is an acoustic album; its 10 tracks are very real and full of emotion.
You met songwriter and musician Rob, does he only go by one name? How did you two meet?
I met Rob Hartley online, He found me as he was looking to start a recording project. We started with a track Rob had written called 'Home' a beautiful ambient song, so enjoyed singing it! We moved on to writing and recording more and Reflecting Echoes is the stunning result.
Who designed the artwork for your album cover?
I did! I really enjoy drawing and I wanted the album cover to reflect our music, so it was the obvious and natural thing to pick up a (drawing tablet) pen and draw! My drawing is based on the 5th track on the album called ‘Pink Balloon’.
What classic song would you have liked to have recorded and why?
Aint No Sunshine by Bill Withers, I sing this live with the band, such a brilliant song, full of emotion.
There are many good bands and musicians out there, who would you ask the readers of musicmuso to look out for?
A couple of really brilliant local bands come to mind…. 'Playing the best songs from the last million years'.. The Burgundys http://www.theburgundys.co.uk/ and.. 'Nottingham's newest jazz trio offering standards, choruses, and songs for any event' The New Trio .. http://www.thenewtrio.co.uk/
Who would you like to know has your music on their iPod, MP3 or cassette walkman?
Oooo… ermmm… well I’m a big Bon Jovi fan, so yeah… wow at the thought of Jon Bon Jovi hitting the play button on my music.
If you could describe your music in the form of a fictional character, who would it be?
Alice ...from wonderland She's emotional and strong with occasional flights of fantasy… timeless.
What are your plans for the remainder of 2014?
I’m so loving everything I’m doing, my album being out there finished and for people to hear is so amazing, I’m really loving sharing and promoting that, and singing with Cranberry Flick is just so brilliant, I plan to keep singing, promoting and learning…continuing on this incredible journey.
Whilst Angie went off to make a cup of tea, we pondered for a moment to think about Jon Bon Jovi's splendid hair that he had in the 80's and wondered if he kept any of it when it started to fall out? Maybe we could hook up and see if he has some leftover, maybe even give the Hard Rock cafe a call and see if they would like to exhibit any of it? Angie had rejoined us and we thought it only fair to put her through the quick fire question round.....
Coffee or Tea? Tea
Coke or Pepsi? Pepsi
Drum machine or the real deal? Real
Mac or PC? PC
Fry up or Sunday roast Depends if it’s Sunday or not ;)
Lemmy (Motorhead) or Ozzy (Black Sabbath)? Ozzy
CD or Vinyl? Vinyl
Car or Motorbike? Car
Johnny Depp or Matt Damon? Johnny Depp
Acoustic or electric? Acoustic
Shower or Bath? Shower
Tattoos or Piercings? Piercings
Robert De Niro or Al Pacino? Robert De Niro
God or Google? Depends on the question
We'd like to thank Angie for taking time out to answer our questions, we wish her every success with her solo album and look forward to hopefully catching her play live in the future.
Interview by Mark Wincott
SOCIAL MEDIA
