‘The Eighth Note’ is 8 quick Questions with Wellington Musicians.
A chance for us to catch up with people & see what they’re up to, or introduce you to a new musician/band and their music.
Today’s guest is Flo Wilson.
Who are you? Tell us a bit about your music:
I’m Flo Wilson and I’m a composer/performer who writes music which doesn’t usually have a time signature (although I have been known to dabble) and is usually called ’experimental’. It’s often in a minor key and a little introspective in nature, but not drone music per se… I don’t really know how to define it, but luckily that’s not up to me 🙂
What have you been working on lately? Any new tracks or albums on the way?
My collaborator Olivia Webb and I are in the midst of our sound art residency at Toi Pōneke in Wellington which will culminate in new sound works, tbc! You can catch us at the Toi Pōneke Gallery from January 12th.
Where is the best place people can follow you & find your music?
flowilson.com for the hub and links to music, but skip ahead for my latest music video featuring the incomparable dancers Rosie Tapsell and Bella Wilson.
What were the 3 most influential albums to you growing up?
That’s tough because albums weren’t the only way I consumed music when I was younger… I grew up in the age of LimeWire vs. car radio. I have a few faves though: Siouxsie and the Banshees – Kaleidoscope, the BBC radio play series of the Lord Of The Rings and Massive Attack – Mezzanine.
Which other Wellington musician (s) would you most like to work with?
I’d love to write for orchestra some day, but I don’t know if I’m quite on that path yet! It’s difficult to choose though with so many gifted and interesting performers here in the city. I sung in the Eru Dangerspiel choir run by Riki Gooch when I was 18 and that was so special. I’d love to do something like that again, really high energy performative work.
What is your favourite Wellington venue to play in?
Moon is great, but to be honest it’s hard to go past the acoustics in the Adam Art Gallery. That space is SO interesting sonically. Try coughing really loudly next time you’re in there and see how long it takes to die away and where the sound ends up! So cool.
In your songwriting or composing (or the bandís songwriting) how do the compositions and songs take shape?
Usually with a melodic motif and a whole lot of textural sounds which are collaged together when the mood feels right. It’s like making pastry – very tricky to get right without it sounding sloppy. So a lot of patience is required, but that’s half the fun of when you get it right!
Where/when is your next gig?
I will be playing as part of the Toi Pōneke Sound Residency alongside Olivia Webb during January & February. We’d love to see you there!