Songwriter Spotlight – Edel Perth (Combee!)

Combee Van Today I’m going to put the songwriters spotlight on Edel Perth. She is one half of an up and coming acoustic duo called Combee! with guitarist Chrissy Rinaldi.

The music that Edel and Chrissy write is described as having “a Jazz, Funk and Blues feel with a rock edge.” Sounds good to me.

Combee! is also part of my Sunday Singer/Songwriter Showcase gigs. The next one happening at the Daniel O’Connell Hotel THIS SUNDAY. If you’re in Adelaide and you want to hear some amazing music then come along.

In the meantime enjoy getting to know a little more about Edel Perth.

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Name:
Edel Perth

URL:
www.myspace.com/combeemusic

Main genre:
Funk/Blues/Jazz

Years writing:
Since I was 14. The first lyrics I wrote inspired one of my mums friends to write the music. I have managed to write quite a few pieces, lyrics and melody really.

Can’t play a musical instrument effectively to save my life.

Words or music first:
Because I don’t play a guitar very well it is usually the words, then a melody however sometimes I wake up I the middle of the night and will have a melody running thru my head.

I grab my mobile phone as it has a voice recorder. In the past I would press record on the old cassestte player (REMEMBER THEM).

Why do you write:
A myriad of reasons really.

Recently I have been writing lyrics to my new musical partners Chrissy’s great guitar riffs.

We will record them on the mini disc and I will take them home and come up with a melody and lyrics and some arrangements. I find this new process really exiting as its new and it works for us both.

Sometimes I will feel driven to put pen to paper, I think of what Loreena Mckennit says about ‘the visit’.

I have no idea what I’ll write about so I trust the process and let it flow. I am quite amazed at this process really.

Sometimes I will be having an emotional day and I’ll sit down and write some words, this will usually put things into perspective. The deal I have with myself is to turn a negative into a positive.

I think music has the power to do this, well the creative process does for me anyway.

Lately I have picked up the guitar and I will just play a few chords and a melody will come to mind, lyrics then follow in this case.

Most important aspect of songwriting:
Trust yourself, there is no right or wrong.

Advice for beginners:
Write what ever comes to mind and trust the flow, you can edit it later.

Songwriting goals:
I would love to write a whole set and accompany myself on the guitar. At the moment I have neither the skill nor confidence.

Anything else to add:
I find that working with another songwriter can add a whole new perspective and feel to the song.

I have 3 or 4 songs that I wrote a few years ago and my musical partner at the time played guitar.

I didn’t want to let those songs go so I recorded the songs acapella and gave them to my new musical partner Chrissy and she came up with her own interpretation. This really changed the feel and added a whole new dimension to the songs.

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I’ve seen Combee! a few times now and what I find fascinating about their musical relationship is that Edel and Chrissy really know what works between them and they use that knowledge as a template for their songwriting.

The beauty that I can see about collaborating in this manner is that as they grow as a partnership their songwriting grows with them creating an inbuilt consistancy in their songs.

Very, very cool indeed.

I also love it when Edel says that she has “…no idea what I’ll write about so I trust the process and let it flow.” Automatic writing has never sounded so effortless and eloquent at the same time.

I’m really looking forward to playing with Combee! this Sunday. Hope to see you there.

Until next time, happy writing

Corey Stewart
Singer/Songwriter/Musician

Keywords: songwriting, songwriter, songwriting tip, songwriting idea, songwriting help, songwriting zen, songwriting blog, open mic, corey stewart

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