It’s quite simple for me really – life’s too short! – nothing is ever guaranteed and you never know what is around the corner, so I live my life for each moment, like’s there’s no tomorrow. I work hard for what I want to achieve and never take anything for granted.
Interview by Jacqueline Jax
host of A.V.A Live Radio
Interviewing: Fiona Ross
Vocalist, pianist, songwriter and producer, Fiona Ross.
I’ve just released my third album ‘Black, White and a Little Bit of Grey’ and everything’s gone crazy, ha! I’m a classically trained musician, but also trained in dance and drama and have worked in all sorts of areas as a session musician, choreographer, director, composer etc. I first started performing when I was very small and initially worked in the theatre, with my first lead role in the West End when I was 8. I have also spent a lot of time working in education, and I was Head of the British Academy of New Music for eight years, while Ed Sheeran and Rita Ora were training. I left there two years ago and decided to firmly focused on my own material and do my thing and haven’t looked back since!
It’s quite simple for me really – life’s too short! – nothing is ever guaranteed and you never know what is around the corner, so I live my life for each moment, like’s there’s no tomorrow. I work hard for what I want to achieve and never take anything for granted.
Social Media..
has powered my reach all over the world thus my biggest fan base is outside of my area. I feel that the key to that engagement has been primarily through photography. I’m never without a camera in my hand and with a few friends help, I work hard to keep my posting relevant and real. I like to keep things authentic and flowing so that I can maintain a close connection with my audience.
What have you focused on this past month?
My focus at the moment is my new album. It was released only a few weeks ago and everything is kind of gone crazy since then! My last release was in April, and I wanted to get another album out quite soon after that while everyone seemed to be so interested in my work. It has been hectic – I wrote and recorded the album in six months – but loved every minute of it. So now, it’s all about getting out there and gigging.
What are 3 things you’ve learned this past year..
Never give up. Work as hard as you can. Be genuine.
What are you most looking forward to this next year?
Gigging! I just working out a tour schedule and I am so looking forward to playing with my musicians and getting out there are doing my thing. It’s very exciting.
Song name: Mistress
Music Genre: Jazz, singer/songwriter, Contemporary Jazz
This song is about…
My song is basically about falling for the wrong guy! A woman who has fallen in love with a married man and ashamed of herself for getting into the situation of being the other woman. She accepts that she is deeply in love and this is not her fault, however, it can’t carry on. She can’t help the way she feels about him, but has reached the point of realising she just can’t be his mistress anymore, even though she has tried.
New release just launched November 17:
Link to play:: https://open.spotify.com/track/1k7YoK1Z7mjjJ8kXcdbP2N
Influences…
Many artists have influenced me in so many ways and shaped who I am as an artist. Billie Holiday’s music has always taught me that the place for pain and emotion, is in your music. Prince has always inspired me through his technical expertise, his creativity and just pure genius in everything he created. Over the past ten years, Hiromi has been a huge inspiration to me. I have seen her perform live many times, and she just lives and breathes her music through every bone in her body – I love that! The energy in her music, writing and performances and her technical expertise is just amazing.
Songwriting…
My writing starts quite simply, on my own with a piano. I write and arrange all of my material, and always start with pencil, paper and my piano. I work on the arrangements as I go along and when ready get my musicians together and put it all together. Then to the studio. I often change things once we are recording and although I have very clear plans going into the studio, I love the freedom of changing things when the inspiration occurs and just going with the flow! I think that’s the Jazz part of me, ha! My musicians will tell you that I am always being clear on something one rehearsal and then deciding something different next time – I do this in live performances too – but that’s what keeps it all fresh and exciting. I love each process from being on my own writing, to rehearsing, studio to love. Each part has a different element to it and I genuinely love it all.
Website & social media links:
www.fionaross.co.uk
https://twitter.com/fifross
https://www.instagram.com/fifi_ross
https://www.facebook.com/fionarossmusic/
https://www.youtube.com/user/fionaross
https://open.spotify.com/artist/59lPcyDIZJxmRqatvAjct8