THE FAMOUS ELSEWHERE QUESTIONNAIRE: Plum Green

There is still a thrill in putting on an album by a hitherto unknown name and being taken aback. That's exactly how many might feel when they listen to Rushes, the debut albm by New Zealand's Plum Green.

She has a fire inside, a way with a lyric which can twist up imagery and she isn't afraid to get raw. The album is reviewed here, and a little of her backstory is there too.

But because she was not known to Elsewhere it was important to throw the Famous Elsewhere Questionnaire her way and see what came back.

As you read her answers you will see she has slipped our grasp for a while but let's hope she makes it in Melbourne and returns to rock us again. 

The first piece of music which really affected you was . . .

A number by Janis Joplin. I was really young, maybe about five. It was a recording on tv, she was at a festival and wailing her heart out. I had never seen such passion!

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

Alanis Morissette! I still kind of love her though, so could be worse. I also really loved Shirley Manson from Garbage when I was little. Such a negative Nancy, as I was too back then.

Lennon or Jagger, Ramones or Nirvana, Madonna or Gaga, Jacko or Jay-Z?

Lennon, Nirvana, Gaga, Jacko! I love Micheal!

If music was denied you, your other career choice would be . . .

Psychotherapist, or some kind of therapist. I'm deeply empathetic, especially to the individual (as I am guilty of boughts of misanthropy) but I genuinely love people too and want to help. Absolutely without judgement.

The three songs (yours, or by others) you would love everyone to hear are . . .

Nature Boy. Because of the deeply important line at the end, “the greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return.”

Moonlight Sonata by Beethoven...

And my song 'Wait Here' because a friend of mine who passed away plays the piano on it. She was a close friend and incredibly talented and it excites me that when people hear her play, in a way she's still alive.

Any interesting, valuable or just plain strange musical memorabilia at home?

I just moved to Melbourne so I don't have much at home at all! Just a mattress in the middle of an empty room. My very first instrument was a gigantic church organ, that was pretty strange and expensive. I think my fairy god mother must have it hidden away somewhere in her house.

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

Marilyn Manson – Long Hard Road out of Hell.

If you could get on stage with anyone it would be . . . (And you would play?)

Jimi Hendrix. Probably not, I'd be too busy crying and trying to kiss him. Actually, I would love to sing with him.

The three films you'd insist anybody watch because they might understand you better are . . .

Amalie - Directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet; The Nightmare Before Christmas – Tim Burton; Secretary - Steven Shainberg

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

Queen Adreena and I've been checking out some Ruby Throat as well (she's the lead singer).
Recent downloads include porcelaintoy, I hear they're releasing a new album soon too. Very excited.

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

Jane Says by Janes Addiction

The poster, album cover or piece of art could you live with on your bedroom forever would be . . .

A painting [right] that a close friend did of me standing on Queen St in the blue light.

You are allowed just one tattoo, and it is of . . .

A big chested viking girl riding a yak.

David Bowie sang, “Five years, that's all we've got . . .” You would spend them where, doing . . .?

Eating, sleeping, music, friendship, cuddles. I'm yet to go there, but my best friend tells me that Lisbon is the most magical place on earth and that I would love it.

She knows me well, so lets go with there.

And finally, in the nature of press conferences in Japan, “Can you tell me please why this is your best album ever?”

It's my only album ever!

But definitely the best thing I have released so far.

The reason being, because I had much more control and was much more aware of what I wanted and how to get it thus far.

So many beautiful people have contributed and everything is very natural and real.

I am very proud of this album.