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Perth MusicLeena Interview
With her debut EP on the way, Perth girl Leena is set to take the Australian music scene by storm. She gave us this exclusive interview.
Q. Tell us a little bit of history about yourself as a singer/songwriter. How did you start out and what have you achieved?
I started playing music when I was 5 living in Tasmania, working out how to play songs that I heard on tv on my great grandmother’s beautiful old upright piano. After 10 years of painful and regimented classical piano and flute training I decided to act on my instinct and start writing my own tunes on piano and then later, on guitar. I was always into writing and found that it was a very easy way to express complicated teenage feelings, that made no sense what-so-ever till I saw them on paper or heard them in my songs.
After I finished high school I decided to blow off uni for a while and go and check out my father’s home country, Thailand. For about 4 years there I explored Thailand while making visits to europe and the states where I had a boyfriend. I was making a living from playing shows then and when I came back to perth to study politics at uni I realised that I wanted to put all my energy into writing and performing music. Since that decision I have become a pretty hard worker and live from performing my own songs, something I never expected to happen. I’ve been lucky enough to play with a bunch of incredible musicians and to play hundreds of fantastic shows, in regional w.a. and in Perth.
Q. What bands have had the greatest influence on you and who are your favourite bands at the moment?
Soundgarden, Queens of the Stone Age, Elvis Costello and The Beatles have had huge influences on me. My favourites at the moment? Black Rebel Motorclycle Club and Bob Evans.
Q. What helps in writing new songs? Do you need solitude to get inspiration?
Yes I do, in a big way for the most part. Recently I’ve been writing with Perth band Eskimo Joe, and it’s a welcome change to be collaborating, especially with people i trust musically.
Q. Favourite AFL team?
None.
Q. What is your favourite live music venue? Do you prefer small pub shows with a small audience or bigger shows with lots of people cheering you on?
I perform differently depending on the vibe of the venue and the crowd size and participation, but the indescribable feeling is always the same no matter how big or small the audience. I love playing to crowds that you can read enough to make them laugh and feel involved in the show. Writing music for me is all about people identifying with a feeling or a moment described in a song and i think there is a real art in being able to portray that through performance.
I love playing the Paddo because of the high stage and the awesome sound engineer! To watch music, I like any venue that isn’t too claustrophobic and over packed.
Q. What is your song writing process? Do you write the lyrics and music together or one first and then the other?
The better songs that I write always just come in one hit, like a steam train. There are others that exist as poems, riffs or half songs for years till you finally give them a bit of love. Songs are definitely weird creatures that have a life of their own.
Q. What is your take on the Perth Music Scene at the moment? Do you think it is thriving or is it a bit of over-hype?
If there is over hype, I would take that as a complement to Perth music. There are bucket loads of original and talented bands here and I think it’s fantastic that they are getting the national recognition they deserve. In the end people can work out what they like for themselves, regardless of hype.
Q. What plans do you have for the next few months?
I recently received a grant from artswa to record and release my first studio EP. I’m in preproduction at the moment and will launch the first single by august this year. I also have a lot of residencies, local shows and tours coming up so I have a lot on my plate at the moment.
Interview by Justin Middleton
For more info on Leena visit www.leena.com.au
