60 second interview: Phamie Gow
She learnt to play the harp with a tape cassette and a ‘how to’ manual; now she performs her goosebump-inducing compositions all over the world. Jane Labous chats to Scottish harpist and singer Phamie Gow about music, Michael Jackson and why she’d be a bird or, er, a nurse, in another life…
Why the harp?...
When my mum was pregnant with me she listened to a lot of harp music, and as a child I was always looking for that sound and vibration. My parents rented a harp for me when I was 12 and I taught myself to play with a cassette tape and a 'teach yourself how to play the harp' book! Six months later I gave my first public performance.
You sing, you play the harp – do you have any other strings to your bow (excuse the pun)?
[Laughs] I started playing piano when I was eight, and I also play a little accordion. I had the wonderful opportunity to take piano lessons with Ronald Stevenson, who’s an amazing man - a musical genius, a concert pianist and a composer. He opened up so many aspects of living to me and I learnt so much, not only about music, but about life and its beauties.
One critic said your music was enough to give even Mike Oldfield goosebumps. Another said you play the harp ‘with attitude’. How do you describe your sound?
Somebody once said to me, ‘you sound like you play the harp like a piano - and you play the piano like a harp’! When I registered that in my brain, it kind of made sense and I realised, yes that is the kind of sound I make with each instrument. When I play the harp I can hear the bass guitar, percussion, lead guitar and keyboard all at the same time. Or if I’m playing an African composition, I imagine I’m playing a kora - an African harp. I like to see beyond the obvious capabilities of the harp as an instrument and create new sounds and techniques that haven't yet been discovered. A kind of revolutionary experimental vibe without limits!
Have you ever thought: ‘Wow I did a great job!’?
Hmm, let me see… I was pretty pleased to write my second album Lammermuir when I was 19. Ten years later, I can listen to that work and hear its musical maturity - and that makes me proud. Awards are great but there are so many things that are more rewarding! I work hard and once I’ve achieved a goal, I move onto the next one - I don't give myself time to stop and say ‘wow, what an achievement!’.
You’ve made the harp cool. How?
When people say to me: ‘Wow, I’ve never heard the harp being played like that before!’ Or a youngster says: ‘That was so cool - where can I buy your CD?’ I know I’ve made my message clear! I’ve carved out my sound over the years so that it has a life of its own. And that’s just it - I don’t like to put my style of music in a box because it’s simply music and if it moves you to dance or to cry and smile, then it kind of goes beyond any labelling.
What inspires you?
So many things! I could be reading a beautiful poem or see a gorgeous painting or have an experience or glimpse a certain scene in life - or just read a book. I think I can safely say, life and its experiences inspire me…
Where on earth does that music come from?!
That’s a really difficult question! Sometimes I feel like I channel energy from the gods, like an out-of-body experience, and suddenly I have a new composition in my hands. Other times, I can see shapes or lines or a structure of a composition, and I follow that to write something.
One of your ancestors was a fiddler – is music in your blood?
Definitely… My grandfather also played the bagpipes and cello and there seems still to be music in the family, so I’m sure that has a lot to do with why it is ‘in’ me.
We heard you’re a secret Jacko fan?
I’ve always respected and looked up to Michael Jackson – for me he was one of the most creative souls on the planet. I also love Eva Cassidy and the way she could make a popular song sound so original and heartfelt. Jeff Buckley is also amazing - and J.S Bach is one of my favourite composers. I love a lot of Sting’s work too, and I’m sure there are influences of his music in mine. I’ve worked with a couple of kora players, including my lovely friend Bajaly Suso, and his sound has filtered into my music and affected my sound.
What’s this about being a rock-star?!
Ah, that was my collaboration with the rock Indie band Band of Horses. I’d always dreamt of working with a real rock band, plugging in the electric harp in and rocking on! It was very exciting.
You’ve toured the world – any favourite hang-outs?
So far I haven't found a 'best' place and I guess, if I had, I’d be living there permanently! The music in Chile is really fantastic and I can relate a lot of Scottish music with some of the cuecas - the traditional Chilean dancing music. You can also hear the Spanish influences in my rhythms and I adore Spain. I really love Buenos Aires too and I have some beautiful friends there, which again, for me, is what makes a place.
Can you imagine being anything but a musician?
Yeah, I’d be a bird! I’d open my wings and simply sing and fly! Haha, no... I think I’d probably do something with languages - I speak fluent Spanish and a good amount of French and I’m going to continue to learn more. I think the next one may be Mandarin. And I used to want to be a nurse and help cure people, so who knows...
So, crystal ball time - what’s next for you, Phamie?
Hmm, maybe I’ll go and live on a new continent… I’ve lived in Spain, France, Scotland and England and now new lands await me! I’m working on my sixth CD which is released next year, and I’ll be continuing to tour and perform. I also want to write more for films and TV. I'll continue to live and learn and appreciate the world in all its splendour and turmoil - and carry on giving my music to people around the world, to hopefully give a little bit of joy and peace.
