THE FAMOUS ELSEWHERE QUESTIONNAIRE: Emma Davey

A couple of weeks back Wellington singer-songwriter Emma Davey could happily buy a slightly better quality bottle of supermarket wine because her debut album The Court of Love was sitting on the New Zealand music chart in the top 10.

While the jazz-influenced title track might have reflected back on her work with vocalist Dave Feehan and her appearances at the Tauranga Jazz Festival, elsewhere there were a classy country-rock sound, smart ballads, gutsy blue-rock and enjoyable pop.

Hard to pigeon-hole Davey conveniently too: she has entered aria competitions (came third in a duo section) and won a Molly Malone's Irish singing competition.

Oh, and she's a hard worker as you might guess: for years she has played corporate functions (which can be soul destroying but gets your mileage up) and private concerts. And did we mention she has been part of the gypsy-styled Balkanistas who played at Womad and the World of Wearable Arts last year?

It may be a bit over due but it is certainly timely for her to answer our Famous Elsewhere Questionnaire . . . 

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

Grieg’s “Morning” – random I know! This was the one that sprung to mind.

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

ABBA , Dad’s jazz albums, big band swing and Mum’s crooners. Dusty Springfield, the Beatles, the Carpenters and classical music. A lot of 60s music. No Motown/soul/Funk, which I’m now addicted to

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

Lennon, Nirvana, Madonna, Jacko. (Or did you mean to just pick one? In which case Lennon)

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

Nutritionist

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

Pirate Jenny – Nina Simone, With Every Breath I Take – Rachelle Ferrell, He Ain’t Heavy- The Hollies

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

My Nana’s and Grandad’s violins. Can’t play them ….yet!

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

Impossible question! And I haven’t read them all yet (I have a collection) David Bryne’s book “How music works” was a good one.

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

Aretha Franklin – being a backing vocalist for her would be amazing!

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

ha ha yeah right…

1) Any Disney movie with singing in it

2) Any other Disney Movie

3) Documentaries about health. ;-p

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

Frazey Ford, Indian Ocean.

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 . . .

Snoopy’s Christmas

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

Something by Claude Monet or John Constable.

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

Some elaborate art nouveau thing full of symbolism. But small and discreetly placed. Possibly involving a dragon……who am I kidding I will never do this!

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

Traveling everywhere, seeing everything

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

Because it’s my only one! I am looking forward to the next one though

You can find out more about Emma Davey and buy her album through her website here