NSM
You mention on your website that you didn’t get into music until late and wrote your first song at age 25. What inspired you to be a musician at this time and to write & play guitar?

Nancy- I'd always had the dream of being a singer and played guitar and sang hymns at school between ages 9-11 but after that I had kind of buried the idea as too fanciful. It wasn't until I was walking through the park on my way to work one morning many years later (as a financial manager for an engineering Co,) that I came across a group of arty people having a picnic breakfast, one of whom I knew. They invited me, in my suit and heels, to join them. I never went back to the job! It was a bit of a spiritual experience almost. Like my 'true' self was insisting I take notice of it. They were all pretty much self-employed in some kind of creative work and I didn't know what I wanted to do with my life but I had more in common with them than any of my work colleagues. I started to think of lyrics and hear melodies after that and eventually figured out how to put them together and it felt great and purposeful. I discovered the back page of the Melody Maker (musicians wanted weekly) and nearly cried that I didn't know of it before and started going to auditions.

NSM
Financial manager! Weren’t you a little bit scared about the decision to leave this job and pursue music?

Nancy- Well not really. I had no real responsibilities other than for myself. It was just another job that wasn't right for me. I'd saved a few quid. I just couldn't play that role anymore and the time had come to go. Meeting those people was the push I needed. I took a job waitressing part time in my favourite bar and started hanging out with musicians and doing open mic nights. I never regretted it.

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NSM
You teach singing/guitar (mostly to kids), why did you decide on this as a career?

Nancy- I trained as a music workshop tutor around the same time as I started writing songs and my college placements were in primary schools. I connected with the children’s natural creativity and sense of mischief. Later on a drummer friend of mine was depping at a performing arts centre in London and gave them my number when they were looking for a guitar tutor. I then added private students and now do vocals, song writing and recording. It's a way that I can be self-employed and have more time for my own stuff. Anyway I was always getting sacked for being late etc. I worked as a temp for 7 years. One booking was at the British Museum when the Tutankhamen exhibition was on and I zoned out on all the exhibits, when I should've been in the curators office upstairs. No contest really!

NSM
What do you do for fun outside of the music world?

Nancy- I'm into nature; especially having lived in a big city for so long and I love walking on the downs near where I live with my dog. It keeps me tuned in. The beach. I enjoy good conversations about art, philosophy, astrology, state of the world. Spending time with like-minded friends, taking trips out with my boyfriend. Watching films like “The Full Monty” (I’m half watching a repeat of it as I do this). I’ve decided to up the fun level generally this year by just enjoying what I have and what I do.

NSM
On your website you describe going through all the “goods and bads” of the music industry, describe what this journey has been like for you.

Nancy- Like a rollercoaster at times. Shovelling shit uphill at others! When things seem to be going well there's always the endless carrot seemingly dangling in front of you - I got pro management, then major label studio time. Then more studio time. All the while everyone’s saying this is it - -you're gonna get at least a 5 album deal la la la but then my manager fell out with the a&r guy (who I wasn't allowed to meet) who then got laid off by the label in a takeover! I also had 'interest' from other labels around the same time but there was a sense that clearly I would have to 'do as I was told’ to get a deal. I didn’t meet anyone who I wanted to move forward with. It’s clear to me now that you can make things happen yourself in today’s climate. It’s just such a lot to do!

NSM
So, what are you willing to do and not willing to do to be signed with a major label?

Nancy- A few years ago I might've answered differently but I'm not chasing a deal with majors. Yes they have the marketing muscle but your music’s not your own. Everyone's doing the self release now on line and it's really just down to how hard you're prepared to work at doing the promotion and getting the right help for what your not able to do yourself. If I was signed I'd have to work really hard so I guess it's about adopting the same kind of work ethic for yourself.

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NSM
What keeps you going and keeps you making music?

Nancy- The desire to communicate. Being able to create something that hasn't existed before and the realisation that I've no choice because I've been up numerous other career paths and this is the Real McCoy for me. In the midst of having little money at times, it's frustrating; I’ve got so many songs- I want to share them and put them out there. I battle with resistance every day, as many artists do. I recently read Stephen Pressfield’s The War of Art and his own journey of getting published despite crippling resistance is inspiring. I’ve used books like The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron. When you have a new tune singing itself to you in your head you just have to go and see what it’ll sound like recorded.

NSM
If you could give some words of encouragement to other musicians, what would you say?

Nancy- Give it all you've got! Don't listen to doubt. Your own or anyone else’s. It just wastes precious time.
I would say to remember that music making has been around as long as people have and it was no big deal to be a musician before the record companies arrived. They have slowly narrowed what is acceptable and allowed, but in olden times it was like being a cobbler or a baker and still today in some parts of the world, no one thinks you're trying to be famous just because you're singing a tune. But now the whole celebrity obsession brainwashing has tainted and cheapened nearly every art form that pours through the media machines. But look how they’re starting to crumble and weaken their dominance on what we hear and see. From the ground up, via the net, we’re able to put out and share with others what we want. I’d say take advantage of it – it can only grow.

Musically, write from the heart about what is important to you as it will more than likely connect with others as well. It takes discipline to succeed but if you truly believe it's your path to follow then you'll regret it if you don't. Focus on honing your craft and believe you can do it. It's almost like you have to get out of the way and let the music blaze the trail. All easy to say of course!

NSM
Do you regret starting so late or do you think your previous lifestyle has made you appreciate being a musician more?

Nancy- I think I started at the right time for me. Many people don't find what they want to do till they're older. Everyone's path is different and mine led me round the houses a bit first. I'd travelled and worked abroad, moved every few years to different cities and lived and worked with many nationalities and walks of life. It all goes into the song writing pot. I find trying to be a successful musician a pretty tough job compared to others I've done; there's no path laid out for you (or pay-packet!) Running a restaurant, selling mortgages/ kitchens/ ad space, working in a factory/office temp/care-worker/ were all easier in a way for me to do but ultimately became soul destroying. So I remember that when the music game seems too hard.

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NSM
The song “2012” really jumped out at me. What was the inspiration for this song?

Nancy- I'll answer honestly but it's a bit out there!

I believe we're living at a pretty exciting time as far as spiritual human evolution goes. I see it as basically two parallel forces at work - dark and light - and both are trying to gain ground, but the dark won't be allowed to win! This song takes from the Mayan calendar that by 2012 we are done with this level of consciousness of thousands of years. Stronger, lighter compassionate energies are coming in to lift us and will be fully present by 2012, but it's up to us to utilise them and make changes in ourselves and to our world. I believe our current highly corrupted political systems will eventually be replaced with something totally different. The song is essentially about being brave & taking the leap into the unknown, trusting that you will be supported.

NSM
Describe what a music video for “2012” would be like?

Nancy- Wow, well firstly it would be amazing to make a video for one of my songs. I guess it would be quite symbolic; someone poised to fly off a cliff and finding they can fly- a treasure chest opening with amazing magical light inside- projecting our dreams onto a cinema screen and watching them play back - being held by angel wings - empowerment!

NSM
Name a few of your musical influences as well as why, and how these people have an effect on your music.

Nancy- Strong emotive female singers; Sinead o Connor, Hazel o Connor, Chrissie Hynde, Suzanne Vega, Patti Smith, Polly Harvy. Lyrical richness; early Genesis, Queen. Conscious artists; Marley and cool vibers; The Cure. Writers like Carol King, Dylan. Also people like Nanci Griffith who, although musically not really my cup of tea, I really admire for driving herself around the US for 10 years gigging her ass off by herself. People who tell their story. Current stuff like Goldfrapp for great production ideas.

NSM
You have tried to put together bands, why have you stayed a solo act?

Nancy- Bands have worked well for me but not always. When I’m not gigging and I’m in writing/recording mode I don't keep one going. I had the same line up for a while and we had great fun gigging around London. Interestingly it was when my band broke up and I went back to solo performance did I get the industry interest. Keeping everyone happy isn't always easy. As the bandleader there's pressure to 'make stuff happen' on top of writing material. If it's all collaboration and co-writing then it's a very different dynamic - I never got to that stage though.

I began as a solo act, like a lot of singer/songwriters and already had a load of tunes written before I thought to put a band together. Now it depends on how I want to present the songs. If most of the particular batch I’m working with needs a fuller sound, I'll call up other musicians. Everything should be about what's best for the songs - a lot of players don't always get that. In my studio I record my vocal parts (protools/valve mic pre/ akg414) and guitars then usually go to another studio for the rest. I don't really have any rules about how I do it each time. It depends on where I'm living, who comes in and how much money I've got. I worked in a Fine Art college for 3 years and noticed that the artists there, whatever their medium, didn't collaborate - it was interesting to me and made me feel ok about doing everything myself. It does have it's pluses- Like not having to compromise!

NSM
What is your ultimate goal as a musician?

Nancy- To connect with as many people as possible through music.

To put out 5 albums. A film tune would be cool. To find great artwork and visuals.

To be more disciplined in getting my music out there. To work with inspiring and talented people who are in it for the art, knowing that the money is a by-product of that. Sorry that's a lot of goals - but they all mean the same thing - success! (to me).