A Quick Chat with Baby Velvet

CAN YOU TELL ME A BIT ABOUT YOUR INSPIRATION FOR ALBUM ‘PLEASE DON’T BE IN LOVE WITH SOMEONE ELSE’ 

This album is my debut album so its been years of planning and writing and thinking about what I want it to be. Lyrically I have been inspired by all my favourite songwriters – everyone from The Beatles to Lucy Dacus to Rufus Wainwright. Sonically I grew up listening to punk rock, grunge, surf rock – having spent a lot of my working life in a folk band I was really excited to get to explore more of these rock textures on this album. 

WHAT ARE YOUR INFLUENCES AND HOW DO THEY AFFECT YOUR SONGWRITING? 

It’s been incredible for Naarm/Melbourne to come out of the pandemic and see international artists return – I forgot how much I am inspired by seeing live music. There is nothing like seeing a show that ignites something in you and you have to run home and write a song before bed. I’m influenced by Jenny O, The Wild Reeds, Sharon Silva, Andy Shauf, Dr. Dog but I’m also inspired by visual artists and generally the friends and family around me. 

WHAT’S THE CREATIVE PROCESS LIKE FOR YOU?

It’s quite mixed depending what I ama doing in my life. If I am going through a heartbreak or something tumultuous I write out of instinct and therapy. If I am trying to improve my skills, such as practicing guitar, Ill try and learn something new and then write a song with that new technique in mind. I am very good at working towards deadlines so try and set myself a lot of creative goals so I don’t just sit around in my pyjamas on a Tuesday wondering what to create…

IF YOU COULD CHANGE SOMETHING ABOUT THE AUSTRALIAN MUSIC INDUSTRY, WHAT WOULD IT BE? 

I know how lucky I am to be an artist and I bloody love my career/life but I would change the way the Australian Public/Industry view their relationship to consuming music. The musician is always the last to be paid. Making an album you pay the producer, session musicians, mixing, mastering, video clips, artwork creation, marketing, publicity, your agent takes 10% commission, a manager takes 20%, venues take fees for shows, poster costs, travel costs etc. etc. etc. I firstly want to reiterate that everyone of these people 100% deserves to be paid but it is unstainable to be a musician when streaming platforms don’t bring you a steady income,  people aren’t buying physical merchandise and $15 for a ticket can be too high to see music. Music isn’t for free, it’s a business I constantly invest in and unless Musicians are getting paid they can’t have life long careers. 

WHAT DO YOU THINK LIFE WOULD BE LIKE FOR YOU IF YOU DIDN’T HAVE MUSIC AS AN OUTLET? 

I am a visual artist as well – I work a lot with collage, pen, watercolour. I’m also an avid gardener and I belive that is also a creative process. Without music I’m sure I would find a way but I also think music is a collaborative process. I get to make music, play music with my friends and community and I would be devastate to not have that outlet through music. 

IS THERE ANYONE YOU WOULD LIKE TO COLLABORATE WITH?  WHY?

Dolly Parton. And while we collaborate I want her to stroke my hair and say nice things about me. 

WHAT’S YOUR ADVICE TO YOUNG PEOPLE WHO WANT TO MAKE A CAREER FOR THEMSELVES IN THE INDUSTRY? 

Do it because you love it, because you want to work hard, because you enjoy the process and not just the result. 

WHO’S THE MOST INTERESTING PERSON YOU’VE WORKED WITH/MET? 

I met the Backstreet Boys and that was PRETTY COOL. Exes wrote a song with Colin Hayes from Men At Work and that was an incredible experience – he cooked dinner for us at his house in Topanga Canyon and wrote in his studio. The couch we were sitting on Paul McCartney had sat on only years before which we all felt pretty chuffed about (I shall never wash these pants again)

FAVOURITE HANGOVER CURE?

A bloody mary / hydrolights / smashing an entire series of a show in bed. 

ANY UPCOMING SHOWS?

Im touring nationally this July/August! Sydney / Canberra / Thiroull / Melbourne / Castlemaine / Point Lonsdale / Beechworth / Brisbane. 

Im taking my incredible band with me and playing the album!