Reb Fountain Samson Interview

Her Very Own Brand Of Alternative Folk

NZ singer-songwriter Reb Fountain has created her very own brand of alternative folk, breathing new life into the stylings of Nick Cave, Patti Smith, PJ Harvey and Janis Joplin. Her beguiling new single "Samson" has been unveiled, alongside the announcement of her next full length album, set for release in May this year. Reb has also revealed her signing to NZ's Flying Nun Records, where she joins an eclectic selection of punk and alternative names including The Clean, The Bats, The Chills, Chris Knox and Straitjacket Fits.

Interview with Reb Fountain

Reb Fountain has an impressive catalogue of songs behind her, each of which is imbued with raw, truthful spoken word and the perfect mixture of dark soft-rock elements and folky warmth. In 2017 she released her EP "Hopeful & Hopeless", recorded live at Auckland venue, The Wine Cellar, quickly followed by the album "Little Arrows". She won the 2018 APRA NZ Best Country Music Song for "Hopeful & Hopeless" and the Recorded Music NZ Best Country Music Artist Tui for the EP of the same name. She has performed and recorded with Kiwi musical icons Neil Finn, Marlon Williams, Don McGlashan, The Eastern, The Warratahs, Finn Andrews, Tami Neilson and Julia Deans. Reb has spent 2019 touring Europe, the UK and the USA throughout 2019, playing solo, and as part of Finn Andrews band.

Question: How would you describe your music?

Reb Fountain: I think it's heartfelt; it feels familiar and simple and complex and unique at the same time. I guess it's a little folk, punk and pop – it's wandering like that, a little gypsy.


Question: Can you tell us about Samson?

Reb Fountain: Writing Samson was an opportunity for me to speak/sing my desires out loud, and hopefully in turn provide a space for others to express themselves fully too. Desire being that which you want and love as much as that which you hide and fear; it's complex, nuanced and powerful. The video starring Medulla, directed by Lola Fountain-Best, brings that sentiment to life. We enter into an intimate and vulnerable space that is equally strong and sensual, we are participant and audience, we get a chance to explore what it might feel like to be free and fully ourselves ... whatever or whomever that may be.


Question: What inspired the track, Samson?

Reb Fountain: I wrote Samson while we were in the studio recording my new record. It felt urgent. I needed to speak the unspoken. I wrote it throughout the night and brought it to the studio the next day … and like the song I felt vulnerable sharing it but utterly determined this was the song I needed to create that day. So we did.


Question: What motivates you most when writing music?

Reb Fountain: Music has always been the way I make sense of myself and the world; how I voice or express my experiences of and relationship to being human. So in that way creating and writing music is really a selfish act – one that aids me to be a better person by untangling the goings on of my heart and brain. I want to do my best in the world and in turn, I hope, create meaning and joy … or sorrow (whatever you need on the day) for others. And … it's not really an option to do anything else – writing's what I do.


Question: What can you tell us about your next full length album?

Reb Fountain: I think it's spacious and rich; the kind of music you can delve deep in or dance to, clean your house to or go on a road trip with. That would be my goal at least – I like music to accompany me wherever I am; the best of besties. And cross fingers it inspires you enough to come see us live because then we can weave it all together.


Question: Do you prefer performing live or recording?

Reb Fountain: I love performing – it's the best of times and where I feel most present. It's such hard work to get to the point where you take the stage (it really is) and performance is the expression of all your dedication to your art. And when someone has generously invested their time and money and trust in you - enough to come out of the house and hear you play – it's an honour that I hold in the highest regard.


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

Reb Fountain: This morning I've listened to Frankie Goes to Hollywood, Nadia Reid, Lizzo, Guided by Voices, Karen Dalton, Angel Olsen … it's all over the place.


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

Reb Fountain: I didn't know I was entering anything and in many ways I still feel like I'm just doing what I'm doing and I've slipped into a 'career' in an 'industry'. But in terms of music – it saved my life and that was it; we were inseparable.

Question: If you could collaborate with another artist, who would it be?

Reb Fountain: I am quite obsessed with (Kiwi rapper) Jess B.


Question: Did you have any pre-conceived ideas about the music industry?

Reb Fountain: I think I thought that because I made music it meant I would gain automatic entry into that space. I was lucky enough to have that story dismantled early on, somewhat painfully but with the bonus prize of learning if I wanted to become something or do something I just needed to do it; to work hard, back myself 100% and keep going no matter what.


Question: Was there a moment you contemplated throwing in the towel?

Reb Fountain: Oh yes, yes.


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

Reb Fountain: Making this record with my friends, rehearsing with my band, performing these songs … right now is the best.


Question: Can you share your socials?
Reb Fountain: http://rebfountain.co.nz/
www.facebook.com/rebfountainmusic/
@rebfountain
@rebfountain
YouTube
Spotify
Apple Music
Soundcloud
Bandcamp


Interview by Brooke Hunter