SOUNDS FROM ACROSS THE POND: Scottish Singer-Songwriter Penny Black

I recently became aware of the Glasgow-based singer-songwriter Penny Black (pictured above in a photo by Kirsten Towill) through a friend of hers, Rosie McClune of the Glasgow bands The Hedrons and GoGoBot. And I’m very glad that Rosie tipped me off about Penny’s music. Penny, a 26-year-old Glasgow native, is a fantastic singer-songwriter as well as being a very talented piano and guitar player. I was quite impressed with the songs that she has up on her MySpace Music page. Penny is currently unsigned. Given her considerable talents, I don’t think that that will be the case for much longer. Penny has very kindly agreed to an e-mail Q&A with Powerline A.D., the results of which follow:

POWERLINE A.D.: How long have you been writing songs?
Penny Black: I wrote my first song when I was four in the school playground with my friend Laura Healy, who is actually now my backing singer! I’ve been writing ever since. I started learning piano when I was eight, so it was a little after that that I began combining the two.

POWERLINE A.D.: What was the first song you wrote called and what was it about?
P.B.: It was called “Dance Girl Dance”, and I’m pretty sure it was awful! I was only wee, though. I suppose if you want to know about the first song I wrote and played live, it was a dark but poppy piano number called “My Sweet Murderer” about having a serious crush on someone and being willing to do anything.

POWERLINE A.D.: Do you come from a musical family?
P.B.: Yes. Both my grandfathers were musicians. My mum’s dad could play any instrument he picked up! Also, my mum plays guitar and my dad writes songs. My brothers and my sister are all talented, too.

POWERLINE A.D.: Were you in the band and/or choir when you were at school?
P.B.: I was in the school orchestra as I played the cello – I never really practiced though! It didn’t last long. I did, however, become known at school for entertaining people by playing cover versions of chart records on the piano in the music department corridors! Kids used to come up to me with requests on their way to the toilet.

POWERLINE A.D.: What was the first album you ever bought and what did it mean to you?
P.B.: The first album I ever bought was something awful like Jive Bunny when I was little! But the first one that really meant something to me was Under The Pink by Tori Amos. It made me realize that as an artist it is possible to completely be yourself at your instrument and still sell records. Even though I had no real idea what her lyrics were about, I could somehow relate to them. It instilled in me a sense of girl power way before that phrase became so contrived.


POWERLINE A.D.: What was the first live gig you went to? Who was it, where was it, when was it, and what kind of impression did it make upon you?
P.B.: My first proper live gig was at the famous Glasgow Barrowlands where I sneaked in to see The Prodigy underage. It was the most eye-opening and weirdly spiritual moment of my life at that point. I had never felt bass running through my blood and rattling my bones before…I actually almost got crushed and somebody (who I’ll forever be thankful to) picked me up and put me on top of the crowd. I then proceeded to kick everyone on the head by accident as I made my way to the pit. I’ve gone back to see them every time they have come to Glasgow since. Something about those raw rhythms and almost tribal vocals just speak to me.

POWERLINE A.D.: Do you play any other instruments besides guitar and piano?
P.B.: I play drums a little. I love to bash to my hearts content at rehearsals when my drummer is outside having a fag. I’m trying to master a double kick pedal at the moment. To no avail.

POWERLINE A.D.: Do you work a day job to supplement your music income? If so, what kind of work are you currently doing?
P.B.: I do some teaching. I’m also writing a novel in the desperate hope that it will provide me with some income if it ever gets published!

POWERLINE A.D.: Over the past decade, several big acts have emerged from Glasgow, including Franz Ferdinand and Glasvegas. What do you think of the music scene today in Glasgow? What other Glasgow-based artists besides yourself should our readers be aware of?
P.B.: To be honest, I’m not really a big fan of the Glasgow music scene. It’s very biased towards bands, especially indie types. There’s a lot of them that sound the same. It’s a shame because Glasgow has a lot of great rock and solo acts who never seem to get the same breaks. Mind you, I think that’s probably reflective of the whole British music scene despite the fact that women are doing so well for labels at the moment. I personally love a local rock band called Black Carnation and I think the GoGoBots will do really well.

POWERLINE A.D.: Does Glasgow inspire your music? If so, in what ways?
P.B.: It can be really wet and grey here, which sometimes helps when I want to write something a bit miserable, but apart from that, no. I’m inspired by things that happen to me and things that annoy me, rather than where I am.

POWERLINE A.D.: Your voice kind of reminds me of Dolores O’Riordan of the Irish band The Cranberries. And your musical style seems like a combination of Kate Bush, PJ Harvey, and Tori Amos. What artists serve as an inspiration for you and what is it about them that appeals to you?
P.B.: I’ve mentioned Tori, but Kate is probably my biggest influence. She just does everything the way she wants on her terms. It’s awesome. She’ll write about anything from her favorite novel to her washing machine and I love that. I try to be like that, too – it doesn’t always have to be about love and heartbreak. I’m basically influenced by anyone who has managed to come through the industry system and stay true to themselves. Recently, KT Tunstall’s success has really inspired a lot of women here. I’m quite animated when I’m playing live, and I think that’s a direct result of my diet of female artists like Cyndi Lauper and Annie Lennox. Image is important to me as it is to them. I know from my teaching that people need visuals and colour to help them retain information, so I try to be those things on stage.

POWERLINE A.D.: As an unsigned artist, are you greatly concerned about all of the upheaval in the music industry today?
P.B.: Yeah, I am concerned. I think it’s gonna get harder and harder for people like me to get traditional deals. It sometimes seems like you might have to sell your soul (or your tunes) to get anywhere, which is a shame. I hope there is more investment in true talent in the future rather than in “bandwagon” artists. Look at the success of Florence and the Machine. I hope label people realize that the public are hungry for raw talent instead of puppets and reality stars. I don’t know what it’s like in the States, but it sure seems like there’s more money to invest there than here, which is good. I could be wrong, though!

POWERLINE A.D.: You told me that you will soon be getting some videos made. And you’ve got a MySpace Music page where people can go to hear your music. Are there any additional avenues that an unsigned artist such as yourself can use to promote your music?
P.B.: The BBC has an unsigned section of their music pages which allow users to upload tracks and have them sent to local radio DJs. We also have great radio stations like XFM and Rock radio who champion local artists instead of being afraid to stray from the playlist.

POWERLINE A.D.: Are you gigging locally in Glasgow at the moment? Or do you perform in other parts of the UK as well?
P.B.: I gig anywhere in the UK that is willing! Usually it’s in Scotland, but I’m planning to play in London very soon.

POWERLINE A.D.: How long have you been performing with your current band?
P.B.: I’ve known my drummer Mark and my bassist Dave for years, but my guitarist Myles is pretty new. He’s working out great, though! I’m so lucky to work with such talented musicians. Everywhere I go, people comment on my rhythm section and the overall “tightness” of my live sound. I can’t take the credit for that. They’re so dedicated and really add a sparkle to my songs. When we jam in the studio, I get so excited when I hear their ideas.

POWERLINE A.D.: Is there any particular reason that you chose to go by the name Penny Black professionally?
P.B.: I think I just needed a name that summed me up. It’s very Victorian sounding, and cheeky but dark which I think describes my music perfectly. I mean, “Peter Pan” sounds like a pretty cheesy pop song, but the lyrics are serious and quite sad. Most of my songs are like that. Plus, it’s quirky and people seem to remember it and that’s what you want! As I’ve said, I’m quite lively and theatrical on stage, and Penny Black undoubtedly sounds like a stage name.

POWERLINE A.D.: Could you talk a bit about your songwriting process? And which usually comes first—the music or the lyrics?
P.B.: It just depends. Usually, I think of a riff or bit of melody and then I build the song around it. Sometimes a lyric will come first which inspires a tune. There are times when I dream songs in completion and I wake up and just record them straight away or they occasionally pop in to my head fully formed in the most bizarre of places. I have a song called “Hello Halo” on my MySpace page which is an example of that.

POWERLINE A.D.: Your songs are quite introspective. And there seems to be a theme running through some of the songs of striving for something better, of hoping for a more positive outcome. Do you consider yourself an introspective person? And are you a hopeful person?
P.B.: I’m definitely a person who thinks far too much about everything. Especially myself and things that I’ve done, or not done, or wish I had done! So yeah, I am pretty introspective. I’ve lived through a few tragedies and suffered bereavement, so I think that makes me a more reflective person than most of my age. I suppose I am hopeful and I’m always striving for something better, as you say. I’m very stubborn; I won’t stop and I’ll never give up. It doesn’t matter if it’s trying to get a break in the business or trying to get a guy’s attention! I’ll make it happen.

POWERLINE A.D.: Of all of the tracks on your MySpace Music page, I was particularly taken with “Find Me.” I really liked the lyric, “Don’t want to search for you any longer/So you can come and find me.” Could you discuss your inspiration for writing “Find Me”?
P.B.: It’s one of those songs that everybody enjoys. I think people like to hear a wee chick sing a rock song once in a while, and the fact that it’s on a piano makes it a little different. It’s about feeling really jaded with the music scene and wanting to be found rather than that other way about. Sometimes, you just wish people were out there actively looking for new talent rather than having to find them all the time.

POWERLINE A.D.: When you write songs, do you write with a character in mind? For example, in “Peter Pan’s Biggest Fan,” you sing, “Screw the Lost Boys, I’m a lost girl.” What I mean is, is the voice in the songs supposed to be yourself or a character that you’re writing about?
P.B.: It’s always myself. Occasionally, I’ll write about other people but it’s always in relation to me. That doesn’t sound good, does it?!? I’m not obsessed with myself, I promise!

POWERLINE A.D.: FINAL QUESTION: Where do you see yourself being in your music career by the end of 2010?
P.B.: Well, obviously, I would love to be signed and in the charts! And taking America by storm! But honestly, I would just be happy to be making money from music and having the investment that would allow me to tour. That’s all any new artist could ask for.

For additional information on Penny Black, go to:
 http://www.myspace.com/therealpennyblack

Interview by John Curley