For the past decade, Canadian-born, New Zealand-based singer-songwriter Tami Neilson has been the queen of her adopted homeland’s country and roots music scenes.
With her new album, SASSAFRASS! (due June 1, 2018), Neilson takes a giant step that will not only bring her music to the worldwide masses but is sure to garner widespread acclaim as well. On this all new 11-track outing, she places a heavier emphasis on soul music without abandoning her country and rockabilly roots forming a wonderfully retro style that sounds like a lost gem from the ’50s or ’60s. Ahead of the album's release, Neilson kindly took the time to answer her Essential 8 and speak about the story behind Sassafrass!, share advice from her dad, and much more. Did you have a musical mentor? If so, who was it and how did they influence you? I grew up singing in my family band, "The Neilsons", so my Dad was my biggest musical mentor. Watching him drive the tour bus all day, arrive and load in, set up, do a show at full energy, meet people and connect with them, pack up and do it all again the next day- all while wearing the hats of manager/agent taught me everything I know about the music business. With any particular song, was there an “a-ha” moment when you knew the song was completed and perfect? I don't think a song is ever completed and perfect, but, being a mother of 2 small children, my time is very limited and I can't really be too precious about my songwriting! I work well under pressure, though, so, there's something to be said for getting the most raw, undistilled emotions that first pour out. Is there a story behind your album’s title? Sassafrass is slang for a person who is incredibly sassy and speaks their mind, which I felt really suited the theme of the songs on this album. I feel like I've really come into my confidence as a woman who isn't as concerned with the judgement of others, and therefore, isn't afraid to say what I think.
Why did you chose to anchor the album with the songs you did?
It wasn't until I was 3 or 4 songs in that I noticed a theme naturally emerging, what I felt compelled to write about. There is a obviously a huge groundswell happening for women globally- our tolerance for ill-treatment and injustice has reached it's limit and we are challenging sexism and misogyny and fighting for equality to make the world a better place for our sons and daughters. Where do you draw inspiration from when writing? I think it comes from everything and everyone you come into contact with - this osmosis occurs naturally in a creative, so, I guess I just need to make sure I immerse myself in great music, read writers that challenge me to step up my game, watch things that inspire me and surround myself with people who are going to influence me for the better. When/where do you do your best writing? As a parent with limited time, my writing process has really changed, so, I tend to collect little scraps of ideas, grooves, lyrics and melodies over months or years and pop them away until I can set aside time to pull them out and polish them and sew them all together. I love that process. It's a great feeling having all the ingredients at hand, all you have do is get cookin'! Do you write about personal experience, the experience of others, observations, made-up stories, something else or a combination? A combination of all those things. However, I would say that all of the songs I've written, even if they aren't about me directly, are about someone close to me or an experience I've witnessed. What’s the best advice you have ever gotten from another musician? My Dad used to say that he could teach me all the skills of being a musician, but nobody can give you the hunger. You have to have the drive and the hustle within yourself. He'd say you can grow the shiniest, juiciest, most delicious apples in the world but if you didn't work hard to get them out of the orchard, then only you will ever know about it. What’s the best advice to give to a musician just starting out? I would just paraphrase what my Dad told me. You need to push yourself out of your comfort zone and go after what you want. You gotta hustle, because nobody else is going to be more passionate about your music than you are. Website/Facebook/Twitter/Insta/Purchase
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