OPHELIA OF THE SPIRITS
How
did you get your start in the music industry?
I actually
first started in the film and TV industry which, because I was interested in music
composing, sort of became the music industry when I began writing and singing
my own songs. I had always been a songwriter but the idea of singing terrified
me until a few short years ago!
Best part of the job?
Getting
to play music to an appreciative audience. Communicating emotion to a room full
of people who are willing and able to share it with you is a very powerful experience.
Worst part of the job?
The late
nights! Call me a granny at heart but all-night recording sessions and me are
not a happy combination!
Any interesting experiences you
can share?
Working across live performance and film, I
find them to be so diverse that pretty much everything I do is an interesting
experience! Try working on a score for a horror film during the day and then going
to play a show at night. I get so involved in whatever it is I'm doing that sometimes
I think I have a touch of multiple personality disorder!
Favourite
CD of all time and why?
Led Zeppelin IV. Because it is
probably the only CD that I absolutely never get sick of listening to. It is the
ultimate road trip music and just makes me want to hire a red convertible and
drive across a desert somewhere. It feels completely spacious and free, as if
the world is never-ending. I like that.
Tell us about the
best live show that you ever saw?
Sarah McLachlan at the
Opera House. It was beautiful, she was barefoot and played and sang from the heart.
I took a lot of inspiration from that.
Favourite bars/clubs/pubs
to hang out in?
I do love The Basement and The Vanguard
for music, food and drinks combined, and the winner of Funniest Pub has to go
to Hot Lips on Enmore Rd in Newtown. That place has to be seen to be believed,
and has been the site of more than one tragic late night karaoke fest with the
help of the bewildered house band.
Take us through a typical
"day in the life of Ophelia of the Spirits".
There's
not really a typical day as each is so different. But generally, I spend about
twice as long as I should reading and replying to emails (what can I say, I love
communicating!?). Then some time at my studio working on song ideas or film work,
and sometimes a rehearsal later on in the evening. I can get pretty obsessive
over whatever it is I'm working on at the time so I need to remind myself to eat!
The other night I got so absorbed, I ended up having to eat leftover birthday
cake for dinner, which was not all bad.
What advice would
you give to someone looking at getting involved in the music industry?
Only
do it if you truly love it and can't imagine doing anything else, and be prepared
for what will at times be a very bumpy and difficult road. You need to be very
passionate and determined to make it work. But if you have that passion and determination,
there is so much joy to be experienced along the way!
Any
news or final comments?
My next show is at Fringe Bar in
Paddington on the 11th of October. Other than that, I am spending time working
on a beautiful musical book project with Akina (www.Akina.com.au) and looking
forward to all the surprises yet to come!
© Danny
Canak
