THE FAMOUS ELSEWHERE SONGWRITER QUESTIONNAIRE: Grace Brebner

 |   |  3 min read

THE FAMOUS ELSEWHERE SONGWRITER QUESTIONNAIRE: Grace Brebner

In the middle of this month -- June 21st touchdown, June 25th a concert at Auckland's Town Hall -- the Beatles made direct contact with New Zealand.

The reception here 50 years ago was much like everywhere in '64, the height of Beatlemania: huge crowds, screaming, shows that people saw but barely heard . . .

It was a turning point in New Zealand popular culture and to mark the occasion the Play It Strange Trust -- CEO Mike Chunn -- has arranged concerts of Beatles' songs at the Auckland Town Hall on June 24 and 25 featuring a veritable galaxy of local stars (Tim Finn, SJD, Graham Brazier, Fiona McDonald, Jordan Luck and more) for A Strange Day's Night.

But the trust's mandate is to spotlight young songwriters through an annual secondary songwriting competition and to also put them in concert with established musicians.

So a Strange Day's Night will see a number of them sharing the stage with stars and over the next week or so we will spotlight some of the performers young and established . . .

paulWe introduce you to 16-year old songwriter Grace Brebner 

The first song which really affected you was . . .

I was 6years old when James Blunt released ‘Goodbye my lover’. I didn’t understand all the messages in the lyrics because it was an un-relatable concept to me at the time – but I guess even as children we’re still able to feel the emotions of a singer when it’s delivered well through music.

Your first (possibly embarrassing) role models in music were . . .

The Wiggles!

The one songwriter you will always listen to, even if they disappointed you previously, is?

Bob Dylan

As songwriters: Lennon-McCartney or Jagger-Richards; kd lang or Katy Perry; Madonna or Michael Jackson; Prince or Pink?

Lennon-McCartney. No contest

resized__300x424_strangeThe three songs (yours, or by others) you would love everyone to hear because they are well crafted are . . .

Imagine,   John Lennon

Piano Man,  Billy Joel

Bohemian Rhapsody,   Queen

Melody first? Words or phrase first? Simultaneous?

I tend to find they come simultaneously. This is how I get the melody to reflect what the lyrics are trying to say.

The best book on music or musicians you have read is . . .

I have never read a book about music, however, having recently met Prof Pat Pattison from Berklee College of Music I am inspired to read his book “Song Writing without Boundaries”

If you could co-write with anyone it would be . . .

Lana Del Ray, I love the fact that she doesn’t see herself as a singer/performer but a songwriter/studio singer. I love her lyrics and her expression.

The last CD or vinyl album you bought was . . . (And your most recent downloads include . . .)

Soundtrack to Wicked – I’ve loved Wicked since I saw it for the first time in Melbourne eight years ago. The sound track makes a great addition to my jogging playlist!

One song, royalties for life, never have to work again. The song by anyone, yourself included, which wouldn't embarrass you would be . . .

Bohemian Rhapsody

One line (or couplet) from a song -- yours or someone else's -- which you think is just a stone cold winner is . . .

They’re sharing a drink they call loneliness

But it’s better than drinking alone”

-- Piano Man,    Billy Joel

Songwriting: what's the ratio of inspiration/perspiration?

70% inspiration 30% perspiration

Usually, the first verse and chorus of my songs come from my experiences or thoughts- the inspiration.

From here is usually takes a bit more work to develop into a completed song!

Ever had a song come to you fully-formed like it dropped into your lap?

Recently, on a 15 minute walk, a completed choir song came to me. This is not my normal genre! The song is to be performed next month.

And finally, finish this couplet in any way you like: “Standing at the airport with an empty suitcase at my feet . . .” (You are NOT allowed to rhyme that with “meet” however) Standing at the airport with an empty suitcase at my feet . . .

I wonder if she’s still at home, or if my clothes still clog the streets

For more on the Play It Strange Trust go here.

For tickets to A Strange Day's Night go here.

 

Share It

Your Comments

post a comment

More from this section   The Famous Elsewhere Questionnaire articles index

THE FAMOUS ELSEWHERE WRITERS' QUESTIONNAIRE: Michael Botur

THE FAMOUS ELSEWHERE WRITERS' QUESTIONNAIRE: Michael Botur

When we reviewed New Zealand author Michael Botur's short story collection True at the end of 2018, we noted how prolific he was.  In the time it takes many authors to decide on a subject... > Read more

THE FAMOUS ELSEWHERE QUESTIONNAIRE: Lloyd Cole

THE FAMOUS ELSEWHERE QUESTIONNAIRE: Lloyd Cole

Lloyd Cole sprung to success with his band the Commotions on the highly literate and pop-memorable album Rattlesnakes in '84 but within a few years had moved to New York where he fell in with the... > Read more

Elsewhere at Elsewhere

Various Artists: Rumba Blues (Rhythm and Blues Records/Southbound)

Various Artists: Rumba Blues (Rhythm and Blues Records/Southbound)

From the same label which has brought the superb 4-CD sets of rhythm and blues (here) comes this equally excellent 26-song collection of post-war material which had soaked in a Latin rumba-shuffle... > Read more

Elvis Presley: Do the Vega (1968)

Elvis Presley: Do the Vega (1968)

Elvis Presley's catalogue of songs in the Sixties is pretty scattershot. Sessions would often be very productive (the material was hardly demanding) and so the songs would be drip-fed over a period... > Read more