In my first proper interview of the year, sadly had to take a break due to my health issues, yet I am now lucky enough to of have a bit of a word with Liverpool's femme fatale styled, solo artist, Eva Petersen.
Eva's musical career began to ignite in the mid '00s, singing with Wirral based band, The Little Flames, the band at the time featuring solo artist, Shadow Puppet and former Rascals man, Miles Kane.
The band released their debut - and only album - on local label Deltasonic, 'The Day Is Not Today' and a handful of singles, most notably, 'Isobella' in 2007, before splitting up in May of that year.
The band went on to support and play concerts alongside fellow Merseysider and label mates The Coral, The Zutons, The Dead 60s and also toured most notably with Arctic Monkeys, who went on to cover their song 'Put Your Dukes Up John' on a B-Side.
A few months ago, I was luckily introduced to her music, in a quick exchange of music recommendations with one of my pals and to one of her more earlier songs, 'Beautiful Thing'. A perfect 60s, guitar laden beautiful ballad of lost love.
The song, for me, quickly became an ear worm, I found myself singing it, humming it - I was addicted to that song. With a voice like that, it's hard not to completely fall head over heels in love with her sound and voice, as well has her other glorious compositions, such as 'Femme Fatale' and 'Too Hurt To Cry' and then, with her voice at it's most blissfully beautiful, 'Don't Be Shy' is simply one of the most breathtaking tracks I've heard in a long while from this city.
Since the break up of The Little Flames, Eva has gone on to work alongside Echo & The Bunnymen guitarist Will Seargeant, whose signature guitar style is all over her songs.
In November of this year, Eva will release downloadable single 'Jewelled Moon' as well as a launch gig and then a week later, her debut solo album, titled 'Emerald Green Eyes' is out.
Luckily for me, through the power of social media, I get in touch and now I am lucky enough to catch her for an interview...
CP: Who are you currently working alongside in the studio/recording?
EP: Will Sergeant and I wrote and produced the album.
CP: What was it like working alongside someone like Will Seargeant? how did the collaboration come about?
EP: We have the same management, Porcupine Management and thanks to them we got together and it became an excellent partnership, I loved working with Will and I hope we work together on the next album too. We are into the same sounds so it worked very well.
CP: Are you recording the album in Liverpool?
EP: We recorded the album in Wales and Liverpool
CP: At the moment, who is consisting in your backing band? any familiar faces?
EP: My band in the studio was Will and Nick, who is the Bunnymen's drummer. It is Paul Duffy (Bassist with The Coral..) and me live though at the moment.
Eva and Paul Duffy live @BSAT
CP: What would you say are the themes of the album; as it's very soundtrack-esque, featuring a number of beautiful string arrangements to accompany your spectacular voice...
EP: I am influenced by a lot of 70s Italian horror films such as Suspiria, Profondo Rosso, and I love their soundtracks, so that all features heavily, and also love Ennio Morricone who has influenced my writing too.
CP: Do you have a proudest moment as a musician?
EP: Working with Will Sergeant without a doubt
CP: In making this record, are there any key influences on this album or in general?
EP: I am a fan of Daft Punk, Air, Os Mutantes, Roxy Music, Jean Claude Vannier and the Velvets (Velvet Underground) of course so they all are influences.
CP: Was there a turning point for you in becoming a musician/singer? did you always want to do it?
EP: No, I have always loved singing but I didn't decide one day to do it, it just happened really. Me and Mat (former little flame) started a band and we used to play at the Jacaranda open mic nights for a laugh and then we got signed by Deltasonic Records
CP: Do you feel the new songs more of a progression from The Little Flames?
EP: Well they're totally different as I didn't write the songs when I was in the Little Flames, whereas I write all my own stuff now.
CP: Is there anybody you'd view of being a dream collaboration?
EP: Probably Ennio Morricone (award winning film composer), to write a soundtrack with him would be amazing.
CP: I believe you have some upcoming releases on the near horizon?
EP: The album and single is available to download mid November and the launch will be around that time, there's more info to follow..
CP: In support of that, will you be undertaking a UK tour in support of the album?
EP: yes definitely! Updates on the website soon!
You can keep up or discover more with Eva here:
http://soundcloud.com/eva-petersen
http://www.evapetersen.co.uk/
https://twitter.com/EvaPetersen
http://www.last.fm/music/Eva+Petersen
thanks to Eva for her time and for who ever may be reading!
@rocknrollparksy
