TBI Q&A: Ruth Carr
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A quick QnA with Minuit singer Ruth Carr about the NZ electro trio’s collaboration for WOMAD with composer Gareth Farr’s 12-piece traditional Balinese Gamelan - Gamelan Taniwha Jaya.
These two groups will be recreating the live tunes of Minuit, under the eye of Wellington composer Jason Erskine.
Gamelans are a powerfully ornate and heavy array of bronze percussion instruments and large gongs with enticing names like the Kantilan and Gangsa, Calung and Reyong; the mere mention of which evoke feelings of far-off lands.
Balinese gamelan music enjoyed a resurgence in the early 20th century with the design of a new kind of ensemble and musical style called Gamelan Gong Kebyar, which means 'gamelan that bursts forth'.
During what hours of the day do you feel most inspired?
uhmmm...
How would a good friend describe your aesthetic or style?
A big fat mess. And hopefully not contagious.
What aspect of your creative practice gives you the biggest thrill?
Completing something. Truly and honestly, completing something and liking it.
How does your environment affect your work?
Sometimes it infringes, sometimes you feel like you have to fight against it to get anything done, and then other times it hands you a gift.
Do you like to look at the big picture or focus on the details?
I am unfortunately catastrophically blind to the big picture.
What's your number one business tip for surviving (and thriving) in the creative industries?
I really know no business nuffing. My creative tip is don't read reviews.
Which of your projects to date has given you the most satisfaction?
My book.
Who or what has inspired you recently?
Actually, I'm still riding on the 'well, it looks like you aren't going to die after all' post-cancer diagnosis from a year ago.
How did the collaboration with Gamelan Taniwha Jaya come about?
Through a friend who is involved with the wonderful, fabulous, terrific Gamelan Taniwha Jaya. (I don't mean romantically, but musically. Although, it could also be romantically, I dunno, I tend to mind my own business about those kinda things.)
Is it an extension of your live music or have new parts been created? What ideas did they bring?
It's our songs, but the Gamelan has brought their own unique sound and method to the madness.
Did this collaboration give you a new perspective on writing and performing?
It made me realise how much stronger you feel on stage the more people that are up there with you.
Live – what’s involved in the technical and logistics side? Including the live set up and getting the mix right so each part can be heard, especially for outdoor venues?
(Band member Paul Dodge answers this one) 18 people on stage at HomeGrown, each with a mic, the sound guy earned his money that day...Gamelans have this intentional slight off-tuning so if the same note is hit on two different instruments together they make this beautiful shimmer, it's eerie, so every instrument needed to be individually mic'd - the most important part was making sure everyone could hear the click track on stage to keep in time with the Minuit machines...if that went out we were sunk...(though we had a backup plan that was to laugh it off and start from the top - just like at rehearsal)...then the Gamelan has a person who hits the kempli which is their natural time keeper...this makes both a visual and an audio cue...if you can't hear the click you watch the stick!
How does the Minuit sound work in a world music stage? Why did you want to be part of it?
Uhm, well we are humans living in the world - does that count? Personally I am thrilled that we get to be part of WOMAD, I love the diversity and I really thank the Gamelan for working with us so that it could happen!
What reactions have you had to the sound so far? Do you plan to tour the show?
Really positive and delightfully surprised. WOMADelaide, but it is a very big group to take on tour!! A small truck is required. We are hoping to play at the Bali Festival in Bali (obviously) in July.
If you could go back and choose a completely different career path to the one you've chosen, what would it be?
I wouldn't call this a career...
What place is always with you, wherever you go?
Is this a riddle? Is the answer some place?
What's the best way to listen to music, and why?
I'm no music nazi, listen how you like.
You are given a piece of string, a stick and some fabric. What do you make?
World Peace.
What's the best stress relief advice you've ever been given?
Get hold of some fabric, string and a stick and make up a giant pile of world peace in ten minutes.
What’s your big idea for 2012?
Is world peace taken?
* * * The Big Idea Birthday Questions * * *
What does The Big Idea mean to you?
It's useful, it's helpful, it's informative it's big ideas made small and small ideas made big.
What changes have you noticed in the music industry in the past 10 years?
It is quite f*$%^& mainly. Although, there are some positives and the main one I think is that you can record your own stuff in your garage pretty easily now, and to a high standard - you don't have to spend a big outlay paying a studio to record your music.
What are some of the opportunities and challenges for the next decade?
Being good humans
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WOMAD New Zealand 2012 takes place from 16-18 March at New Plymouth’s Brooklands Park and TSB Bowl.