Vena PortaeBAFTA award-winning singer/songwriter Emily Barker has teamed up with songwriter and performer Dom Coyote as well as Swedish producer and multi-instrumentalist Ruben Engzell to form Vena Portae.
FemaleFirst got the chance to put some questions to Emily about chasing her dreams, the meaning behind the band's new name and their debut work.
When did you realise a career in the music industry was something you wanted to chase?
I'd attempted university, changing my course 3 times from architecture to landscape architecture to an arts degree, and still didn't feel settled. So I took off from Australia and went travelling for 3 years, visiting Brazil, various countries in mainland Europe, Canada, USA always returning to the UK to work in pubs, record shops and cafes. At one point I was living in Cambridge and doing open-mic nights around town. I fell in with a great local music community including Rob Jackson, The Broken Family Band, The Folk Orchestra and others. I did some guest vocals for Rob Jackson (guitarist) and we were so well received, we decided to start a band. We called ourselves the-low-country and we immediately made plans to make a record. Music had always been my biggest love, since childhood when I used to sing harmonies with my mum and siblings, but it wasn't until forming this band, that I seriously considered making a career of it. It's been (mostly) a very rewarding, fun-filled, inspired way to make a living and I consider myself fortunate to be able to make ends meet doing it.
How best would you describe yourself as an artist?
Interested in lyrics, story-delivery, melody, evolving as an artist (trying not to repeat myself/pushing my own boundaries, etc.), loves to sing!
Where did the name Vena Portae originate?
It means vein portal in Latin, it's actually a vein that carries blood to the liver. We were inspired by ideas of roads, rivers, veins, portals, creative openings, connections between people places and life force.
Tell us about the creative process behind your debut single 'Summer Kills'.
Ruben Engzell (Stockholm-based) played the chorus to Dom and I one time when we were over in Stockholm and we both loved it immediately. I then went back out to Stockholm to do some shows with EP's Trailer Park and Nicolai Dunger, I spent a few hours one afternoon in Ruben's studio on my own and wrote the rest of the song. It all just came to me and it was a subject, all of us were relating to at the time.
What is it like to have your track remixed by Peter Morén?
I couldn't believe it when Ruben sent it through. We're so stoked with how it sounds -r eally fresh and so summery! Peter is a dude. He's so active in the Stockholm music scene with the 'Ingrid' collective, releasing records, promoting shows, doing remixes for friends...
You'll be touring the UK this August, what should those coming to the shows expect?
Well a lot of the songs are very harmony-based. There'll be a lot of male/female harmonising going on between myself and Dom Coyote, as well as with Ruben and Jesper (our drummer) who also sing. It's got an alt-pop/rock feel to it I guess. We're really looking forward to hitting the road together for the first time.
Who would you like to work with going forward?
As Vena Portae, I think it would be great to work with Peter Moren further. And/or Christian Kjellvander (Swedish singer-songwriter). Definitely enjoying all the trips to Sweden, so people over there again so keep the British (and Aussie) contingency going back.
What music are you listening to at the moment?
Right now I've got Daniel Lanois 'Here Is What Is' on my stereo, which I'm loving. Saw him recently with Emmylou when they did the Wrecking Ball tour. Lanois and band opened up and then backing Emmy. Mind-blowing! Also listening to 'Steelism' - a Nashville guitar and pedal-steel duo who I met on a recent trip out there; Cory Branan's new record 'The No-Hit Wonder' which is out August 19th (I was lucky to get a copy when I visited in June), and also Jason Isbell's 'Southeastern' record. And loads more...
What should we expect from you in the coming months?
I'm currently working really hard on trying to meet a deadline for what will be my first feature film score. It's a British road movie called 'Hec McAdam' starring Peter Mullan by director Jake Gavin. It'll be out later in the year, all going to plan. We'll do some sort of sound track for that. I'm also writing for the next 'Emily Barker' record and have been doing a bunch of co-writes in Nashville - something Nashvillians tend to do a lot of, but for me it's a whole new thing sitting down with someone and writing a song. In September, The Red Clay Halo and I will head to Nashville to play 'Americana Music Festival' which will be awesome. Then big UK and European tour for the autumn...it goes on.
Do you have a definitive aim for your career?
Nope.
I believe in working hard, trying to staying inspired, following the muse and seeing where it all takes you. Also, stopping to acknowledge achievements is important.
'Summer Kills' is released August 18.