Catching Up with Becca Stevens

Wednesday November 30, 2011

from http://digitaljazznews.blogspot.com

Catching Up with Becca Stevens

How did you prepare for Weightless? The songwriting is most impressive; the work of a seasoned veteran – Are you a musical “old soul?”

“I’m lucky to have such committed, and talented men in my band that I have known and been making music with for a number of years. Liam Robinson and Chris Tordini have been in my band since I was in college at the New School (06). We recorded a record before “Weightless” called “Tea Bye Sea” that I released independently. The version of the band on that record had five people in it including myself. There was a period of time after that record when we were down to three members, and drummer-less. Liam and Chris and I did a lot of rehearsing and touring and really dissecting the music to find out how to approach it as a trio. We wanted to find a way to represent all the sounds and colors of the quintet, but as a trio, and as a result we really developed a strong musical bond and a distinct band sound.

We were searching for the right drummer for a long time, and when we met Jordan Perlson, everything fell into place. I remember having a sense that the ensemble was complete. We had laid out the groundwork in a vary specific way, presenting a potentially challenging situation for a new member, but Jordan is brilliant and infinitely creative and patient with finding ways to support the songs to help them take flight.

I think this is the roundabout way of saying that it didn’t come easily for us. We worked a lot together to find our sound .Lucky for me, these guys are all enthusiastic about rehearsing, and playing. We also really like each other;. I’m very picky sometimes with how things sound. I spend alot of time making demos at home of my new compositions and then I bring them to the band and teach them to play the parts by ear. I’m in awe of them every day in what they are able to bring to the music. I also cant believe the things they sing and play simultaneously!

“Old Soul?” Hmm. How would I know? ;)

To read the rest of part 1 of the interview click here

To read part 2 of the interview click here