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I've had the pleasure of listening to Irene Rae's music for four years now. She is one of Britain's undiscovered gems and an artist that is so naturally talented. With a debut album under Irene's belt I decided another interview was in order and this is what she had to say.
Street Voice: So Irene are you pleased with the finished results of your album?
IR: Absolutely chuffed! It’s everything I have ever dreamed of being able to create and the whole experience has been amazing, from the people I have met to actually holding my own CD Album for the first time.
Street Voice: You took a different approach by using a band so how did you decide what musicians you wanted on the album?
IR: Although I am predominately a solo act - I have always heard other music parts and instruments when I write every song – so had a pretty well formed idea of what instruments I wished to add to my sound. Basically I fell on my feet by meeting the producer of the album who introduced me to Nick and Tony who performed on the CD. They are the best musicians that I could ever have hoped for and totally great people too! The only instrument that doesn’t feature is a cello – mainly down to cost and time AND knowing someone who can play, but listening to the finished product I’m not altogether sure where I would put the cello in now anyway.
Street Voice: I've been listening to you for over four years now and this has been your best work so far so are you hoping a label picks up on 'End of Nothing, Beginning of Something'?
IR: Thank you – that means a lot, especially since you have been there from the beginning. Well it would be a dream for a label to pick the album up. I’m glad that I have been able to produce this away from a label setting as it gave me complete control on both time and how I wished the end product to be – but the work was intense!! As has been all the publicity behind the launch – and there are still soooo many other things I wish I had time for. Really, a Manager, Promoter or Label would be great to make contact with. So yeah, to be able to impress a label enough for them to see my potential and the fan base I have established by my own hard work, without a manager or promoter – well as I said, a complete dream.
Street Voice: What inspires you to write the lyrics that you write?
IR: It’s a bit of a double edged sword what I would call my inspiration. I draw my inspiration from my own experiences, my pain, hurt and run ins with the seemingly endless line of rat type men I meet! Tee hee. My worst (and I guess at times best) feature is that I trust far too easily and quickly – friends, lovers and really just anyone. At the darkest moments I sit there wishing I hadn’t just put my trust into another failure and been kicked in the teeth – but then the light comes in and a song is written because of it. So I get to thinking that this isn’t all that bad….til the next time comes around!
Street Voice: If you could play the songs on your album to three of your favourite artists who would they be and why?
IR: 1 - Tori Amos would be the first – because I have admired not only her amazing talent but her as a woman in general for years. She writes such mesmerising songs of betrayal, trust, and they are totally vulnerable yet at the same time completely strong. I think she is an amazing woman with a career to match. 2 – Gary Barlow – now stay with me on this one!! ;) He is one of the best song writers in our modern day for popular radio type songs. I would love to hear his thoughts and hopefully get a few pointers as I believe he is a man to be respected. 3 – Ladytron – mainly because I would love it if they did a re-mix of one of my tracks – they are so cool and amazing live.
Street Voice: Music is obviously a big love to you but have you any other interesting things you get up to?
IR: At the moment my time is being spent more and more on the computer and out gigging with all things music – but if I think back to when I still had a life!! ;) I love acting – this is what I am trained in, I love horses but don’t get much time to ride anymore – dancing and partying with the people I care about the most – Any computer game at all – I have a Wii at the moment that I traded my Xbox 360 in for when I completely all the games I wanted to…I am a total console junkie AND I am addicted to going to the gym – thank god to counteract all the hours playing on the computer!
Street Voice: Are there any plans to tour off the back of the album and if so where are you heading?
IR: I am touring throughout the whole of the UK this year to support my album – dates are being updated constantly on the my space site and my new look website which is going live end of Feb 09. This will also have a blog section that I am going to write after most gigs with the stuff that happens back stage….duh duh duuuhh.
Street Voice: You must have some songs off the album that mean more to you than the others so which ones are they and why are they so important?
IR: Skindeep Beauty means a lot to me – it signifies a time when I finally felt strong enough to let go of the past and move on, every time I play it I feel more of a release from a nasty time in the past and I feel a little stronger and confident in my own skin. Normally the newest song written means a lot to me at the time – I wrote See Me For Me whilst in the studio and it wasn’t even meant to be on the album but it crept in there! It means a lot at the moment to me – it’s a plea for someone, just anyone to see the real me and for that real me to be ultimately loveable.
Street Voice: You've a great figure and very attractive so if Hugh Hefner came along with a large cheque book would you sign up if it meant taking your music to a new level?
IR: A tough one…first part of the question I say no – but then a huge part of me wants to take every opportunity to further my career. I think the answer is that it probably wouldn’t further the type of career that I would like to have – a respectable one within the music industry. I think the whole world is too focussed on beauty and what we perceive beauty to be. If I were a man, would I need to be beautiful to have a successful career? The answer is no. However, for women it seems to be the main component. So, sorry Heff, the answer would be no.
Street Voice: And more importantly if you did accept a cheque from Hugh would I be in your list to take on a nice vacation?
IR: Naturally if I accepted the cheque – you would be on the party list!
Street Voice: So what other plans have you for 2009 apart from promoting the album?
IR: To be happy, confident and contented with being me for me. That was my New Years Resolution this year – I will not let other people dictate either my happiness or my perception of myself. I will be spending as much time as possible with my family and closest friends, touring, writing new songs and opening every door that I find in front of me.
Street Voice: Anything you'd like to add?
Please please please buy my album!! – apart from grovelling I have nothing left to say – I’m all spent! Thank you Steve for all your support over the last four years and here's to another 4!!
Thanks to Irene for doing the interview and getting it back so quick. Her muisc is brilliant and certainly deserves a listen. Hopefully this interview and the new album release should see her to the next level. This is one lady that deserves that.
Click On Image To View Album Review
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