Interview with Juliet Kelly


Q: The sound is the most obvious difference between your debut and Delicious Chemistry. Why did you move away from the more traditional jazz sound to an earthier and sometimes folksy sound?

Juliet Kelly: I didn't consciously go for a change in sound. I think any change comes from the fact that I've been listening to - and enjoying - so many different types of music lately. Also some of the songs from Aphrodite's Child (my debut album) were written quite soon after leaving the jazz course I was on where I had been completely immersed in jazz. Before the course and since I've listened to many different kinds of artists including Stevie Wonder, Anita Baker, Sting, Soul II Soul, Massive Attack, Jamiroquai and more recently, Damien Rice, Coldplay, KT Tunstall, Madeleine Peyroux, Black Eyed Peas, Justin Timberlake, Outkast, Pink, Kelis and Maroon 5.

Q: Where do you see your progress and development as singer and songwriter on Delicious Chemistry compared to Aphrodite's Child?

Juliet Kelly: I hope - and believe - that I'm improving as a singer and songwriter and moving closer to a place that's true to my emotions and experiences whilst carving out a style that is unique to me and encompasses all of my many influences. Several people that have listened to my new album have mentioned that there is a real progress in the songwriting as well as the peformance - all I want is to be able to keep getting better and better!

Q: In which way would you like to develop as a jazz singer in the future? Is there a musical vision you try to realise?

Juliet Kelly: I think I probably answered that in the previous question! I just want to improve - to write better songs and to develop musically. I've recently started learning the guitar and ideally I'd love to be able to a couple of acoustic voice and guitar songs to my set.

Q: Please tell me something about the recording of your new album. How long did it take and how have you met the guest musicians like Omar Puente, Courtney Pine or Roger Beaujolais.

Juliet Kelly: As with most low-budget jazz albums, we recorded the band live and we did it all in one day. The only songs we did later were "I Wish You Love" which was just voice and guitar and "Guardian Angel" which was voice, guitar and violin. I did revocal some of the tracks later with a fantastic microphone - a DPA condensor one I think - that the engineer (Joe Leach) told me was rarely used for vocals as it gives a very raw, naked sound that faithfully reproduces every nuance in the voice - but I loved it! I like things to sound as natural and organic as possible.
I met Courtney Pine when I went along to a CD signing of his at a record shop. I asked him to sign the CD I'd bought and was very pleasantly surprised when he recognised me and said he'd heard my album and really liked it! He then asked me to guest at a concert he performed for the BBC Television's Jazz Britiannia Series - a history of UK Jazz. Omar Puente and Byron Wallen also guested on that performance and I met them both then. I loved both their playing and later asked them and Courtney if they'd be interested in playing on my new album. I met Roger Beaujolais some time ago and we've done a bit of writing together. I wanted a haunting, almost eerie sound for my song "Alone Again" and realised vibes would be the perfect instrument - fortunately Roger was happy to get involved.

Q: How much of the real Juliet Kelly can be found in the lyrics? Judging from the songs like Alone Again, Searching For Clues or Letting You Go you seem to have had some great disappointments recently.

Juliet Kelly: Oh, yes, life is full of disappointments, but I suppose that's what makes the good times so precious! Life would be pretty dull if we didn't have the highs and lows. I'm definitely someone believes that it's better to have loved and lost etc...It's true that the songs are very personal to me, although some of them aren't written about my life but about friends and people close to me.

Q: Was it your intention right from the start to give Delicious Chemistry a more introspective and sad athmosphere or did it just happen in the process of recording and picking the songs for the album?

Juliet Kelly: No, I didn't set out to make a melancholy or dark album. Once the recording was finished, I did notice there was was definitely a more introspective air to it compared to Aphrodite's Child which was on the whole, quite an uplifting album. I did think about changing some of the arrangements and including more upbeat songs but then decided against it. I decided that what was most important to me was to be true to myself.

Q: Black Rose is your tribute song to Nina Simone. Please tell me what Nina and her music mean to you.

Juliet Kelly: I discovered the real Nina Simone only in the last few years. Previously I'd only associated her with her UK Top 10 hit in the eighties, "My Baby Just Cares For Me". After a friend lent me her autobiography, I realised there was so much more to her. What impressed me and inspired me to write a tribute was her strength (true strength that gave her the courage to show her vulnerability) and her ability to touch people of all ages, races and levels in society although she never compromised her values and beliefs or sold out to commerciality.

Q: Your new album is released on Chantiko, I assume this is your own label. Please tell me more about the reason and struggle to establish your own imprint and what does Chantiko mean?

Juliet Kelly: Yes, you're right. Chantiko is my own label. Quite a few musicians have decided to take this route recently. The increase in internet music sales and downloads, and the fact that many jazz musicians who perform live sell the majority of their CDs at gigs, mean artists can stay in control of their music and earn a higher percentage of the profits.
I chose the name Chantiko because it has several meanings:
1. It's a variation of Chantico - the Aztec goddess who represents domesticity, the hearth and volcanic fires as well as symbolising the combination of pleasure and pain.
2. It includes the word "chant" which relates to singing and the voice.
3. It's a hot chocolate drink created by Starbucks which is said to taste like a chocolate bar in a cup - sounds like pure heaven to me!

Q: On your website you mention that a "6-week Detox programme is over." Please tell me more about it, why did you take part in this programme and what was the result.

Juliet Kelly: I followed a detox programme devised by health guru to the stars, Dr Joshi for a UK morning television show. It was very strict and meant I could eat no sugar, wheat, dairy or alcohol. I lost a few pounds and had loads of energy but most importantly it cured my sugar cravings so was definitely worth all the deprivation.

Q: Will you tour continental Europe as well to promote your new album? If so, are there any dates confirmed already?

Juliet Kelly: I would love to tour Europe! So far there are no planned dates but hopefully it won't be too long though before I get a chance to bring my music to the continent.

For more infos visit julietkelly.com, cdbaby.com and read my review of Delicious Chemistry.