Multi Award Winning Jazz singer-songwriter Fiona Ross undertakes the difficulty of capturing the everyday – via both its birds-eye view and its sharp, minute detail – on her new album Thoughts, Conversations and To Do Lists. She manages to crystallize the racing interior monologue, the standstill of the post-breakup blues, and the gentle flow of a thirst for knowledge. She also deftly paints the party atmosphere, the easy camaraderie between friends, and the steadfast desire for truth. The album’s opener, "When Will You Leave My Mind," is a paradoxical song in the sense that it’s sonically full of movement – it has the pace of a cha-cha, a chugging train, a bustling city – while the lyrics perfectly capture the state of stuckness and standstill after a breakup.
By Kamil Bobin
Discovered via Musosoup
Hello Fiona Ross. What strengths do you have that you believe make you a great musician?
Well, I would never describe myself as a great musician, but I think that is a strength, I can always be better. I work as hard as I can and try to be the best I can be. This means constant reflection, analysis, practice, patience, and awareness of not only my work but the industry and audiences. I am always so very grateful for the support I receive.
Who inspired you to make music?
It’s just part of who I am. I have been working in the Creative Industry since I was a child, through my theatre training and as I developed it was only natural to start writing my own material. I really don’t know any other life. Making music is just integral to who I am and I can’t imagine it not ever being part of my life. I love to connect with people and make them feel, make people smile or relate in some way. Music is very powerful tool for making sure people know they are not alone and that is so very important.
Your latest release is 'Thoughts, Conversations and to Do Lists'. Can you share with us the background of its creation and did any unusual things happen during its creation?
When I decide to write an album, I literally just sit down at my piano and write whatever comes in my head, so it could be anything! No big plans at all. The material for this album really is exactly what the title says. Some of my thoughts and reflections along with conversations I have had with people, like my trumpet player Dave Boa and my bassist Derek Daley. This album contains more songs about other people than in my previous album, so for example Trumpet Man, was written about my trumpeter thinking about giving up music. I was so upset at the thought of this, I wrote a song about the conversation we had, hoping to encourage him to not give up. Thankfully, he is still playing!
Can you shortly describe each of the tracks that are on the album?
I can try!
The opening track ‘When Will You Leave My Mind’ is Latin groove track about the residue after a break up – questions will never get the answers too.
‘I Want To Know More’ is a more jazz influenced track about the thirst for knowledge and always wanting to understand why people do things and their journeys.
‘The Small Things’ is quite simple really, appreciating the little things in life that we often forget – a smile, some kind words, a groove.
‘When you Walked In The Room’ is a fun party feel track with a fab brass section about that person who gets attention and makes you think they are important, but in the end it turns out they are fake.
‘A Single Source of Truth’ is about my frustration with the lack of honesty and truth in the media, especially the news and hard it is to find facts.
‘Push Me Around In A Pushchair’ is a fun acoustic track about a conversation I had with my bassists Derek Daley about being a grown up and adulting, wondering if you ever feel like an adult and just wanting to go back to the time when you were a kid without a care in the world.
‘Looking At My To Do List’ is quite simply just that.
‘The Best Version Of Me’ is a big brass number with some catchy lines and I love the feel of this one. It’s about the constant conflict of the lie of an artist, trying to be the best you can be, being confident and not feeling good enough all in equal measures.
‘The Trumpet Man’ as mentioned above is about my trumpet player wanting to give up playing. This was so much to play live at my launch and the audience all shouted out ‘the trumpet man’ at the end, that was so cool.
‘Look What You’ve Become’ is another acoustic track about my son actually, just reminding him of his achievements and the man he has become. With
‘Always There For Me’ the full band kicks in with this one and everyone has a space to do their thing. This is about knowing you are not alone and how feeling supported can help you achieve anything.
‘Positive Things’ This one is just a piano and voice track and quite sad to be honest. It’s about a conversation I had with someone who was reflecting back on their childhood. They couldn’t think of any positive moments.
‘The Don’t Stop Just Breathe Ragtime’ is fun track to play mixing up the busy of everyday life, running around trying to get everything done but at the same time knowing that you need to take a break and breathe.
‘#ThursdayThoughts’ is the final track on the album, an instrumental track which follows on from my track on my last album called ‘#TuesdayThoughts’ and I am hoping that for my next album, this will be a fully developed song, but let’s see!
How do you stay up-to-date with the latest musical trends?
This is a constant for me. I spend time on social media, going to gigs and events and I read many industry publications. But also analysing my stats and data etc from my own music to see what is happening and see if I need to adapt anything. But very importantly, talking to people about how they find and listen to music.
What makes you different from others?
Ha, I’m not sure how to answer that question…I believe we are all unique individuals, so I am no different in that respect. But my music does reflect many different influences and critics say I have created my own sound. I have never deliberately tried to do this, I just write what is in my head and stay true to myself – this is all I can do. I have had a very diverse and beautifully rich upbringing, so always lots of influences in my head from a young age and this seems to come out in my music.
What’s an average day like for you?
It’s crazy. But I have no right to complain! I wear a few hats so this means every day is very full, whether that is as a journalist, writing articles and interviewing people, or writing music or rehearsing/performing. I also run the not for profit Women in Jazz Media organisation, where we put on events, publish magazines, podcast, run mentoring schemes and so much more. So an average day will contain elements of all the above.
Please discuss how you interact with and respond to fans.
I love hearing from people who enjoy my music! I am active on social media, so chat to people on my platforms there as well as my newsletter for people who have signed up to my mailing list. And of course, my gigs where I can really interact with anyone who comes to see me.
What advice would you have for someone wanting to follow in your footsteps?
Work hard, know your craft and work at being the best you can be. Be kind and generous and know you are part of an incredible, supportive community. Be fearless in your pursuit and be true to who you are.
What are your plans for the future?
Taking each day as it comes really. With my new album just out, I am touring and busy booking gigs around the world to perform. I have a new podcast out, so busy recording more episodes for that. I am also going to be publishing a songbook, which I am very excited about.