Rowan Flack took a moment to answer our questions about her music and her songwriting techniques. Let’s see what she has to say!
First off, What’s up with your name? Is there a story behind it?
My name is Rowan Flack. My mum named me after the Rowan Tree which in ancient
folklore provided a kind of magical protection.
Tell us about your musical past, would you tell us about your early years?
I was born in London but grew up in Brighton. When I first moved there, I joined a small
gospel choir aged about 6. I remember having my first solo ad libbing over “This Little
Light of Mine!”.. At school I loved lessons in art, music, English and languages: any
school subject that was creative and not maths! I definitely took any chance I could to
perform whether it be at my Brownies club or directing a group of my friends to sing in a
school assembly… I started writing folk inspired music aged 11 on an old acoustic guitar and
the piano in our Brighton house. My parents are both creative and were both artists, They are
very supportive of my music and we moved back to London so I could pursue studying music
at The Brit School at age 13. From about age 13-16 I went through some personal
challenges as any young person does, but music was a big creative outlet for me.
How would you describe your sound?
The music and sounds I’m inspired by are so broad that I’ll go from listening to a hybrid
jazz/ folk /classical album by an ECM / Blue Note / Edition artist straight to a catchy
soulful, pop song and then to some very synth heavy downtempo, electronica dance
track by artists like caribou or Bonobo. I’d say a lot of this filters into my sound. My past
releases have been spacious and explorative original vocalese (lyric) arrangements of Jan
Garbarek / Keith Jarrett songs, Scandinavian folk jazz-inspired, textured tracks with my own
led group Giant Folk, and soulful, reflective pop/jazz records in my latest solo release. The glue
that brings them all together, is my instrument: my voice which is fairly delicate yet has strong
clarity and purpose.
Which artists have the biggest influence on your sound?
Right now, I’m getting loads of inspiration from loads of London based artists such as
Kokoroko and Alfa Mist. Also love the conversational and intimate lyrics of singers Cat
Burns and Billie Marten.
What’s the last song you listened to?
Everything I Love – Marc Copland
What’s your source for hearing new music?
Probably Spotify at the moment! I’d love to say watching artists live but I’ve been so
focused on getting this new music out in the right way that I’ve been playing catch up a
bit .. Although, I’ve started hosting a radio show called “Far and Wide” at Morley Radio
and I’m listening to lots on mix cloud which I find is a great site for discovering new
tracks.
Who is your dream producer?
Currently it is Inflo
If you could collaborate with anyone, who would it be?
Kamasi Washington
What led you to music, and what motivates you to keep making it?
I am inspired to write from personal experiences, whether that means a direct or indirect
meaning behind the lyrics. Song’s always flow out better when there is something
difficult going on! When I was younger I just loved singing, I heard popular songs like
“What a Wonderful World” and “L-O-V-E” and would learn them in my room with general
pop culture playing a big part in enticing me in, although as I grew up a bit more and
when I started writing, the motivation came from music being an art form and I wanted
to continue working on my craft. I think it’s because it’s always just felt natural, I can’t imagine
what it would be like to work outside the world of music.
Tell us about the songwriting process. How does it all come together?
I used to write lyrics first and then come up with a pattern on guitar (I’m no pro at guitar
at all)… but nowadays I always start on the piano and mumble some vague words
which seem right, the actual song lyrics come later once I’ve translated what the
mumble is meant to be from a voice note or if I want to mold them in to something
slightly different. In the last couple of years, I’ve done a lot of co-writing and learnt a lot
about co-producing and the world of production which is a whole world of it’s own. My
last album was a live album produced by me so sometimes I find it hard to give up
creative control – that’s definitely something I’m working on!
How do you connect with your audience? What is the easiest way for them to
connect with you?
I definitely don’t put myself above any listeners or other musicians, and I’m always just
up for a chat and a drink at the end of a gig or on social media. I’m always up for
connecting with people interested in my music!
https://www.instagram.com/rowan.flack/
https://www.facebook.com/rowflack/
https://rowanflack.com/
What’s next for you?
I’ve just released “Tipsy on the Tongue” which was the first single from my upcoming
EP.. there are a couple more singles on the way but the EP release is in sight now! I’m
also excited to be playing the music from the EP live with more gigs this summer.
