» Martha Wainwright interview
Nick Aldwinckle speaks to Martha Wainwright about adventures in Greenland, working with Rufus and playing in Brighton
To describe Martha Wainwright as just part of a musical dynasty is perhaps demeaning to the Canadian singer-songwriter’s considerable talent. We all know the family links; younger sister of show-stopper Rufus Wainwright and daughter of veteran folk musicians Loudon Wainwright III and Kate McGarrigle, famous friends include Leonard Cohen and Patti Smith. It seems impossible to mention her without listing a whole host of big names, but she’s rapidly building a successful career in her own right.
Since releasing her self-titled debut album in 2005, Wainwright has carved a niche in the current musical landscape, sounding more akin to seventies country or folk than most of her contemporaries. This year has seen her sound come of age with the release of her second album, I Know You’re Married But I’ve Got Feelings Too. She tours Europe this month, returning to Kemp Town’s St George’s Church this week.
What have you been up to?
Getting ready for my Greenland trip. The expedition is called Cape Farewell. This English couple take a bunch of artists, scientists, a documentary maker, an environmentalist and a journalist to a place called Disko Bay in northern Greenland, where the polar caps are melting fastest.
The idea is that the artists will return to society and talk about their experience and perhaps create something based on those experiences. We’ve got Laurie Anderson, Feist, Antony from Antony and the Johnsons; there’s a site with all the info. It’s the perfect opportunity for someone like me. I’m pretty self-obsessed and I write songs that are very self-indulgent, so perhaps I can do something more meaningful than talk about myself.
Do you remember Brighton well?
For a year I did a succession of crappy shows there, then I played a couple of good ones. Hopefully I’ve redeemed myself! I broke my tooth on the microphone at the Hanbury Ballroom! I think I gave a piece of it to someone in the front.
Your music is sometimes pretty bleak. Are you a happy person?
Yeah, I’m happy! I get to divulge all of this grim stuff and it’s satisfying. It’s a great feeling to finish a song that’s about difficult stuff and painful things and you get to use those negative emotions for something productive. Being able to sing daily is probably very good for you.
You’re clearly influenced by your friend Patti Smith. Would you record with her?
I’d love to. It’d be remarkable. I love the way she sings, the way she gets the importance of her words across. I love her story with her family and children and it really sounds like she put her family and her kids first, which is something my mother did for my brother and I. She’s pretty f**king hip.
How was working with Pete Townshend on the new album?
I like old timers and I feel comfortable with them. When you’re able to take down the thought of the stardom and get down to the music it’s great, but you’re still pinching yourself when Pete Townshend’s jumping up and down with his guitar.
Do you think you and Rufus will ever do a full album together?
I think it’d be stupid not to. We’ve got some catching up to do. I’ve done two records now, so there’s more time for collaboration. I think it’d be fun to do. He’s on another path at the moment. He’s really focused on his opera premiere in the new year, so he’s a classical composer right now! I’m working with him on his Kurt Weill adaptation in London in January and February.
Is there any rivalry there?
No, not musically, because we both sound so different. There’s a certain amount of interest, you know, like sniffing of the butts, but it’s not a rivalry.
Would you have ever been something other than a musician?
I like to think I could do something else, but I don’t know. I think it’s good to do the things that came naturally. One of the benefits is being able to spend time with my family and playing music with them. It’s a very meaningful experience and that’s what I would miss the most in some ways.
Martha Wainwright, Saturday 25 October,
St George’s Church.
www.capefarewell.com
