New Buffalo - gothic/gay icon? Maybe not
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» New Buffalo - Venue, The, Tas - February 17, 2005
Over the summer New Buffalo (Sally Seltmann) found herself on the road fulfilling the Australian musicians right of passage. People found her show remarkable for her inspired constructed aesthetic of homegrown Australian pop for the listening indulgences of indie concert going folk, very much serendipitous of 2005.
Martin Blackwell for the Naked Dwarf caught up with Sally Seltmann to ask some questions.
The first of which proved to be a bit of a curly one.
“Would I change my style to gothic, or gay? That's the most hilarious and good question I have ever been asked! ... As for 'becoming gothic', I have never been that into that look / genre, but I have had black hair, and who knows, maybe when I'm 58 I'll go through a huge goth faze. As for 'gay', I am hopelessly in love with my husband at the moment, and can't imagine being with anyone else. I like the Yin and Yang of the male / female relationship,” she says.
Love and sub-culture aside, what is it that makes her shows so remarkable? Ignored advice from another well-worn live soldier could prove to be the answer.
“Ben Lee told me to start each show with a jacket or coat on, and to take it off as the show progresses. Like revealing more of who you really are as the show unfolds. I never do that though...but people like David Bowie do it all the time,” she says.
Sally Seltmann is a singer / songwriter with pop sensibilities of the most optimum kind. Her songs portray themes of the more free and kindred sides to human nature.
Sally’s influences are varied, (Joan Baez, Laurie Anderson, Sunwrae, Little Wings, Feist) but it is unfair to even remotely suggest that her songs are not the product of a unique personal consciousness – not to mention an excellent songwriting craft.
In an industry infiltrated by manufactured pop, New Buffalo stands aloof as not being quite so subservient to aformula dance and songs.
With a trusting casio and Yamaha YC20, Sally took all of 8 months to whittle the album ‘The Last Beautiful Day’ from the wood of her studio – with the collaborations of such esteemed musicians as Jim White (Dirty Three) & Beth Orton. Sally’s music stands as being a more allegrious art statement, with her avant-pop being more fluid, dynamic and changing. With the kinds of melodies which get plucked from the air – Sally insists that it’s more a case of “walking on the beach, with waves crashing and singing aloud”.
From an early age, Sally was learning instruments – and states that the ire of strong peers, teachers & family, that surrounded her helped forge her as a challenging musician – the women associates that she has had certainly adds to her appeal as a fem-pop inspiration for burgeoning female songwriters. Sally’s advice is a simple etiquette:
“I started learning piano when I was about 10. I taught myself how to play guitar, and I taught myself. I learnt from friends how to use Protools, and how to sample and sequence things...and basically make a record. listen to as many different styles of music as you can, and go and see lots of movies, and art shows.”
New Buffalo has much advice to offer songwriters, young and old alike. The production of ‘The Last Beautiful Day’ was very elaborate – the sifting & layering of sheets of sound – with sampling and sequencing layers, and elaborate orchestration which means that particular songs can take weeks, but still capturing all elements of spontaneity and vibrancy.
“I spent about 8 months making "The Last Beautiful Day". I was working part time in a cafe, but would work long hours recording. I'd usually record during the day, and then work at the cafe at night. Sometimes a song can take 1 day to do, other times, I would be sampling, and sourcing sounds, and trying out different versions, and a song would take weeks to finish”
The future for New Buffalo holds a bundle of opportunity. Sally remarks that future collaborations with musicians and producers alike isn’t set to cease.
“Tim Simenon (Bomb The Bass) has done a remix of Recovery, and he produced the song "Buffalo Stance" by Neneh Cherry, which I think is one of the all time greatest party hits. And also I cut up and re-programmed and re-arranged and wrote lyrics over a song by Rae Howell. Rae is a contemporary composer. And Jens Lekman (Sweden) does a duet with me on "Inside The Corrections". I supported Ed Harcourt, touring across the UK a few years ago. It was really challenging because I was still really shy on stage, and hadn't quite worked out who I was yet I am looking forward to playing some shows with Rae Howell and John Lee as part of my live band. Rae plays vibraphone, and we rehearsed all day today. I have done a song for a yet to be released Ben Lee's album, where he wrote all the songs, but other musicians did their version of it. I'd like to work with Jim White again. I have known Beth for a few years. I have only really played live with The Avalanches.”
With a new national tour underway in August, New Buffalo plans to take in her favorite venues:
“The Forum in Melbourne is a really cute theatre with statues and red curtains, and downstairs is also amazing...with a fake sky with little twinkling stars. I also love Pete's Candy Store in Brooklyn (New York). It's tiny and feels like you are in an old-fashioned train carriage. I'll be playing in New York for CMJ, in September, then touring in the US and Canada. Hopefully touring in Japan in November.”
Fans of New Buffalo can expect to hear the new self-titled EP very soon!
“The new EP out (July 25th) has some re-mixes and re-workings of songs from "The Last Beautiful Day". I don't think I will be doing a live album in the near future. There is a bonus track "Stay Here While You're Gone" which features on the Japanese edition of "The Last Beautiful Day". It's out through P-Vine.
