Jo Kathleen Marie

Jo Kathleen Marie like loads of other people emailed me and when I heard her song The Next Step it was like wow, this is amazing. We stayed in touch and I knew I had to interview her here on Parx-e. She answered my questions and yes I have seen her live and she is amazing live. So watch out for Jo as she got talent in spades. She was nominated for Darebin Music Feast Songwriters Award.

https://www.facebook.com/jokathleenmarie/

1. How did it feel to be nominated for a songwriting award?

It was an absolute honour to be one of the 10 finalists for the award. I was at work when I received the phone call and it didn’t really sink in until I read the email three times over just to be sure! Definitely a highlight in my career.

2. What do you think you gain from the whole experience?

Getting to see so many talented songwriters play in the one place was so energising and inspiring. It truly is a reminder of how incredible the Melbourne music scene is!

3. Has that added fuel to the fire for your songwriting?

Yes. I’m back in the studio working on the next single and have shifted up north to write some new songs.

4. What was the inspiration behind The Next Step?

I wrote The Next Step to help shine a light on Mental Health and empower others to do the same. This was inspired by a masterclass with Tom Larkin at last years Darebin Music Feast. The song is about a journey through hardship leading to positive self-discovery. The song is a reflection of my own experience and having to keep up appearances to meet expectations. I was unfortunate to be in an environment at the time that turned a blind eye. I didn’t want anyone to feel like they are alone in what they’re going through so I wrote The Next Step to help break the stigma. Keep an eye out at www.facebook.com/speaksmusicau for an awareness video i’ll be dropping this week for Aus Music Month!

5. What was the recording process like for the song?

I learned so much through the recording process! I approached Hayden Calnin via The Push Songs program during the pre-production stage where we explored sounds I could use for the production. I’d also see Ainslie Wills for vocal coaching directly before driving over to the studio in the mornings to record with Alexander Biggs. In the studio, we built the foundation of the song with atmospheric guitars. The electonic drums were later added by Tali Sing.

6. Was it different to anything else you have done before?

It definitely was a different experience. I’d worked with Alexander Biggs on the last two singles as well, but we had a different approach to push this song into a more sparse direction and use electronic drums for the first time.

7. What have you learnt from putting the song out and getting buzz behind it?

I’ve learned not to be afraid of being vulnerable. I was vocal about what the song stood for as I’d written it to help shine a light on mental health. So many people in my life have been affected by this yet it tends to get swept under the rug. It was honestly very unexpected to hear back from media and even be reviewed by the crew at Triple J Unearthed. There was a lot of support behind the track and it’s meaning. I’m very grateful for this and feel a little more confident to share more music in 2017!

8. What do you hope 2017 have in store for you?

More new music. More news. I won’t give too much away!

9. Any new shows in the pipeline?

I recently had a ball playing with Memphis Kelly (Saatsuma) at Gene & Peta for Coup: Melbourne! I’ve been busy working with Speaks Music to create films of events around Melbourne for Aus Music Month so no new shows for Jo Kathleen Marie this year but keep an eye out in 2017. Everyone should definitely head out for Melbourne Music Week and support local music this month! Also check out Feelds, Howlite and Swim Season in December.