REBECCA POOLE interview 27/4
April 2009
We recently caught up with local girl and a rising star, singer-songwriter Rebecca Poole, who will be performing at this year's Henley Festival on 8th July. And it has to be said that even on a grey Monday it is hard to imagine a more charming and sparkling person to talk to!
Having confirmed that this was her first performance at the Festival, we asked her about her musical influences
"I started out with the Oxford Jazz Co, so I have a strong jazz background which I like to combine with pop and trip-hop, the latter being a style of music which started in Bristol - think Portishead and Massive Attack. I take most of my Inspiration from vocalists. Just a few of my favourites are Nina Simone, Sade, Amy Winehouse and Sia"
You grew up in Henley-on-Thames?
"I was born at Townlands and I grew up in Nettlebed. I then went on to Gillotts and Henley College."
When did you know that being a singer was what you wanted? Was that at school?
"I've always loved singing and always took part in school plays but I didn't realise how much it meant to me until I hit my angst ridden teenage years! It took me a long time to get over being cast as the little donkey in the Nativity at primary school. I wanted to be Mary you see. It still hurts! Haha! When I was growing up I used to record onto 2 old tape recorders. I'd turn bitter sweet poems in to love songs which I recorded and then played back while recording harmonies over the top on the other. I still use that technique now but recording techniques have advanced a bit! After Henley College I was invited to sing with a band in Zermatt, Switzerland. I spent a whole season there, singing in a lively bar in the mountains and a well-known jazz bar in the town called Moods. That's when I realised how much I enjoyed performing and engaging with an audience, so when I got back I moved to London, put a band together and began developing songs I had written."
Presumably, growing up in Henley you have some memories of the Festival
"Of course! It's a very magical experience. It can also be wonderful coming together there with friends I maybe haven't seen for a long time. I love the art too - I'm an artist myself and I love the combination of music and art and all that it represents. My parents have obviously been before and this year they're inviting all their friends!"
People are so enchanted by your music that the Festival has already had enquiries about where they can hear more before they see you. Do you have cds or downloads available?
"You can find my songs at www.myspace.com/rebeccapoole and www.rebeccapoole.com though I'm currently working on re-recording these along with some great new tracks. I have an album coming out which will be ready for Festival time."
Finally, what are your feelings about performing in front of your home crowd?
"I think it's going to be one of the most frightening experiences I've had in my performing life. There's no worse critic than your best friend! But I'm also very excited about showing people I haven't seen for a long time what I've been up to in London. So I hope lots of people I know - and lots I have yet to meet - will come and hear me sing at the Festival."
Rebecca Poole will be performing in the Southern Electric Dome at The Henley Festival on Wednesday 8th July. Other artists performing that night include Katherine Jenkins, The Radio String Quartet of Vienna, Tim Fitzhigham and Ashley Hutchings and Rainbow Chasers.
For further details and to book online go to the website, www.henley-festival.co.uk or ring the Festival box office on 01491 843404. Tickets to see Rebecca Poole cover all performers appearing at Festival venues on Wednesday night.
