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Ragz
MySpace
Originally
from Norway, Ragz is a Liverpool based singer/songwriter who came to the city to
study music at university but was lured by the appeal of performing her music
live both in Liverpool and across the UK. Among her appearances as a supporting
artist are those with Vijay Kishore, David Ford, Marissa Nadler and Ian McNabb.
Her voice and skilled musicianship have attracted a growing following, and she
has been compared to Joni Mitchell and Bat For Lashes amongst others.
Early
in 2008 her first fully-fledged EP Little Stings (recorded in Liverpool's
Parr Street Studios) was released (followed by a national tour) and features
seven of her best songs so far, including live favourites 'Breathe' and
'Mosquito Man'. An album is planned
for later n 2008.
Q:
Do
you think of your lyrics as poetry?
A:
Not really,
they could stand alone, but they exist through my melodies and I see that as
something else than poetry.
Q: Do
you think it is important that songs rhyme and if so why?
A:
I think when
something rhymes it can emphasize what you’re trying to say and it has a very
delicate effect when it’s done well. Having said that, I don’t think it is
always necessary.
Q: Do
you think song lyrics must conform to recognised song structures such as clear
rhyming schemes, choruses, refrains, hooks and bridges or that songs can also be
like free verse?
A:
Music is as
vast as anything and I think it all depends on the genre of music. Structure can
help to put the message and emotion across. Good dynamics in a song structure
can be very powerful. Personally I like to play with structure and words, even
make up some in a way. I think freedom to use words, and other elements, in a
surprising or unexpected way is important.
Q: When
you read poetry in school or elsewhere did you recognize any connection to the
music you enjoyed?
A:
it depended
on the music. Joni Mitchell’s way with words has always intrigued me, but
there wasn’t an immediate connection between poetry and music for me.
Q: Was
there anything about poetry in books that influenced your songwriting?
A:
I do believe
so, maybe not technically, but definitely emotionally. I remember reading a poem
by Norwegian author Rolf Jacobsen, ‘Plutselig
i desember’ (‘Suddenly in December’). A
poem about when he suddenly and fully realized his wife was gone. The honesty in
the poem and his choice of words had such an effect on me that I, to this day,
strive to use words in a similar way in my songs. Also, Roald Dahl has
influenced me lots. How he uses irony and hides the bigger picture in sweet and
unusual characters or situations.
Q: Why
do you think songs are more popular with people than poetry is?
A:
I think music goes straight into your skin and affects you both physically and
emotionally without you having to think about it. Melodies communicate very
immediate emotions and songs effect your emotional memory. When words stand
alone, I think, it requires more of an analytic thought process and needs to be
digested intellectually before they can set your emotions in gear.
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Ragz
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