In this episode of MyMusic, host Graham Coath sits down with the captivating singer-songwriter, Amelia Coburn. With a string of accolades under her belt including being a BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards Finalist, UKE Magazine Breakthrough Artist winner, and participant in the English Folk Expo Mentor Scheme, Amelia's star is on the rise. Her music, often likened to the likes of Joni Mitchell, Kate Bush, and Nick Drake, effortlessly blends folk and jazz influences into beguiling original compositions.
As Amelia prepares to embark on her first tour with a full band, listeners are treated to a preview of what's to come, with festivals and a winter tour on the horizon. Join Graham Coath as he uncovers the magic behind Amelia Coburn's unique musical journey, offering listeners an intimate glimpse into the mind of an emerging folk and jazz sensation.
Amelia: You know, I think a lot of the times when I'm writing, I'm trying to find idioms and metaphors. And I was writing the song "Seesaw," and I just came across... I thought it was quite a well-known phrase. I just typed in, like, you know, moon phrases, and I came across "Between the Moon and the Milkman," and I was like, I really like that because it can evoke a lot of different things. It can mean physically between that time, but also like that space at nighttime, for me, is quite... I find it really interesting because a lot of the songs were written at nighttime.
0:01 - Introduction by Graham Coath
0:03 - Graham Coath expresses excitement about the upcoming discussion on a fantastic album with guest Amelia Coburn.
0:08 - Introduction of guest Amelia Coburn.
0:20 - Graham Coath introduces the music interlude from Analogue Trash.
0:35 - Analogue Trash music interlude.
1:01 - Graham Coath comments on the energetic nature of the music and its suitability for the podcast's timing.
1:10 - Graham Coath praises Amelia Coburn's album, "Between the Moon and the Milkman," as one of the most important albums in the last five years.
1:21 - Discussion about the origin of the album title and its significance to Amelia Coburn's creative process.
3:01 - Conversation about the challenges of genre classification and pigeonholing in the music industry.
4:07 - Comparison between Amelia Coburn's musical influences and her unexpected similarity to Kirsty MacColl.
5:28 - Discussion about Amelia Coburn's admiration for Neil Hannon and his influence on her songwriting.
6:05 - Conversation about the songwriting process, including the role of dissonance and experimentation with chords.
7:26 - Amelia Coburn's approach to writing lyrics and the importance of melody over lyrics.
9:18 - Discussion on the pronunciation and enunciation of lyrics, influenced by Amelia Coburn's background.
10:42 - Graham Coath highlights Amelia Coburn's ability to blend pop and folk elements in her music.
11:52 - Discussion about the duration of time taken to write and compile the album.
13:45 - Amelia Coburn's experience of working with producer Bill Ryder-Jones and their shared musical influences.
16:21 - Surprise and gratitude expressed by Amelia Coburn regarding the success and positive reception of the album.
17:53 - Mention of Paul Heaton's acknowledgment of the album, indicating potential future opportunities.
18:50 - Discussion about upcoming festival appearances and plans for touring with a band.
19:33 - Graham Coath offers suggestions and support for Amelia Coburn's future musical endeavors.
