Ebony Buckle Susan Interview

Quirky Whimsy-pop Visuals

Ebony Buckle is a London-based singer/songwriter. Hailing from the seaside town of Townsville, Australia, Buckle was encouraged into the entertainment industry by her parents, studying singing, violin, piano and drama and before long she completed a degree in opera singing. Taking listeners on a whimsical leftfield-pop journey with her complex harmonies and imaginative storytelling lyricism, Buckle sings about topics covering everything from romance and broken hearts to disgruntled mermaids, lonely whales and alien invasion.

Realising that the only way to be in true control of her own creativity and express herself authentically was to start her journey as a solo artist, Buckle jumped in head first and has not looked back since. She confides, "I am a naturally shy person and sometimes find it hard to be myself in front of other people, but music has really helped me connect to my true self. I feel like the songs I write come straight from my brain and they are a true expression of who I am".

Following the release of her debut single 'The Mermaids Said No!', the quirky songstress is introducing her follow-up single entitled 'Susan'. A track dedicated to her imaginary best friend and alter ego, Susan the Raptor. Mixing elements of whimsy folk, with fanciful pop melodies and infectious lyrics, all baked in to one big Ebony Buckle cake, the delightfully eccentric musician has created a delicious sound, bursting with vibrancy and charm. Emitting a joyous feeling with a hint of melancholy, the track highlights the singer's operatic trained vocals, which shine brightly throughout. Buckle reveals, "Susan was born one night after too much prosecco and the name just stuck. She is the carefree, risk-taking and sometimes reckless side of me. I think we are all made up of many different personalities and I just decided to name one of mine! Mostly we wanted to make a really joyful track that would make people smile".

Reminiscent of Regina Spektor meets Kate Bush, Buckle is inspired by other strong female artists who have forged their own path into the music industry. Aspiring to create music which will help others realise their most authentic self and encouraging people to always take life with a pinch of salt, Buckle confides "I hope it inspires people to be true to who they are. To not be afraid of being different and to know it's ok to express themselves".

The singer come actress has performed in West End plays, as well as a BBC drama, where her role as a Geordie folk singer saw her music reach number 1 in the iTunes World Music Charts. She has also received extensive airplay from numerous BBC stations across the nation, as well as garnering blog attention. In the words of The Mind Monster Solution author Hazel Gale, "It's a rare thing to find music that speaks so directly from (and to) the heart. Wonderful!" Buckle continues to feed our imagination with her beautifully kaleidoscopic music. 'Susan' is currently available worldwide.

Interview with Ebony Buckle

Question: How would you describe your music?

Ebony Buckle: Whimsical and dramatic, leftfield pop Or Folk Whimsy.


Question: What inspired your latest track, Susan?

Ebony Buckle: Susan was written for my imaginary best friend Susan the Raptor, it's a song that celebrates the good times we have had together.


Question: What motivates you most when writing music?

Ebony Buckle: It's either various experiences in my own life, like situations I have managed to get myself in to. Or it is about completely fantastical characters; alien invasion, disgruntled mermaids, space whales, that kind of thing. I often write poems and then go back through what I have written to see if there might be a song in there.

Question: Do you prefer performing live or recording?

Ebony Buckle: I love both for very different reasons. Live performing is full of adrenaline and you get to connect to people. I have a beautiful band that I perform with which makes it so much fun. Recording is much more detailed and you have time to perfect things. It's always hard to know when you are finished though! I record with my husband Nick and he is a genius when it comes to production.


Question: Which is your favourite song to perform live and why?

Ebony Buckle: I think it has to be Susan to be honest, it's so much fun, especially with four-part harmonies and proper bass! It always makes people smile.


Question: Which music/artists are you currently listening to?

Ebony Buckle: Currently Aurora lots, I'm also going through a Cardigans phase and I always listen to Imogen Heap and Regina Spektor.


Question: What or who was your inspiration to go into the music industry?

Ebony Buckle: I grew listening to lots of (mainly) female artists who had created their own sound and their own musical world. Who didn't seem afraid to be different, people like Kate Miller-Heidke, Kate Bush, Regina Spektor, Imogen Heap, Tori Amos and Austra.


Question: If you could collaborate with another artist, who would it be?
Ebony Buckle: I would love to work with Imogen Heap but I would also love to tour with The Decemberists.


Question: What is the biggest challenge you have faced along the way to your musical success?

Ebony Buckle: It can be really confronting putting your own work out in the world, worrying about how it is going to come across. I am trying to focus more on what I am creating and making sure it is what I want to create, rather than putting too much energy into what people say about it after. Of course, you should listen to advice, but I'm learning to be selective about the people I should listen to.


Question: What's a typical day like?

Ebony Buckle: I'm also an actor so my weeks are very varied. Sometimes I am doing a show so it will be either rehearsing six days a week or I'll be working in the evenings. I try to write at least a poem/song a week and often have auditions I need to prepare for. My husband Nick and I are currently started to record our first album so we are spending quite a bit of time in our home studio. I go for walks in the park to clear my head too.


Question: What has been your favourite part of becoming a music artist?

Ebony Buckle: Singing, it just makes me so happy. And singing in a band is pure joy. And singing something I have written that people want to listen to is the best feeling ever.


Question: Can you share your socials?

Ebony Buckle: @ebonybuckleofficial www.facebook.com/ebonybuckleofficial
www.ebonybuckle.com
YouTube
Spotify


Interview by Brooke Hunter