Julie Lamb Band Q&A

Your name: 

Julie Lamb.

Where are you from? 

Wellington, New Zealand.

Name of band: 

Julie Lamb Band.

Who else is in your band? Andrew Richardson, Drums; Callum Hazlitt-Black, Bass; Dave Hadley, Guitar; Jacqui Nyman, Guitar; Damian Forlong, Trombone; John McDonald, Keyboards; Geraint Scott, Saxophones; Andreas Lepper, Percussion; Charley Davenport, Cello; Emma Davey, Miranda Turner, Deb Sisson, Backing Vocals. 

How would you describe yourselves? 

Not Celine Dion.

This is what I wrote about the last practice we had…"Tonight I have to practice with the Lambinators. This will mean laughing hysterically at Andrew Richardson and Damian Forlong. Getting hugs from 11 of the favouritist people in my world. Grinning like a maniac because I get to sing my songs with the people that arranged them. Grinning like a maniac because it’s one of my favourite places to be. And they all come willingly because I lay squares of chocolate from their houses all the way to the practice room. It takes a very long time, BUT IT IS SO WORTH IT! Practice. One of the best fun things in my world since 2012. Just imagine what I feel about a GIG!"

Who are your main influences musically? So many - so many... Joni Mitchell, Lionel Bart, King Crimson, Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber, Janis Ian, 10cc, Jon Cleary, Mozart... SO MANY.

What do you hope to achieve in music? 

As much subjective perfection as possible while still having fun... ;) Bwah ha ha!!

What has been the highlight of your career so far, and why?  Trippin’ the Light – the album has legs – and a life of it’s own – SO PROUD!

And what’s the moment you want to forget? 

Y'know - actually... no moment sticks out! There are always embarrassing gaffes, and "wrongnesses" but audiences are forgiving, and the band has a great sense of humour - collectively. 

If you were asked to pick just one of your songs to represent your music, what would it be and why? 
Nope - no can do - all varied and representative. I have written almost all of the songs – often with others outside the band to date. The drummer, bass player and guitarist arranged the backbone of all of them from the last album – so it’s a little different because we haven’t written as a unit.

I think the whole album "Trippin' the Light" is defining in the fact that the genres are really, really varied – I stick to “We ain’t Celine Dion” as a definition and call us rock based, whimsical. The rhythm section love Time Flies. The backing vocalists love Clever Piece of Life, I love them ALL! The horn section love Tell Me Who I Am… it’s a fiasco I tell you – a fiasco!

  

Where can we find out more about your music? 
www.julielamb.co.nz
www.reverbnation.com/juliefrankielamb
julielamb.bandcamp.com
https://soundcloud.com/julielamb

Anything else you’d like to say about your band that I forgot to ask?

We make great arrangements. Uh huh!

Live, this 12-piece band has all the energy of a 747 taking off, but more finesse! The Julie Lamb Band have all the necessary basics (drums, bass, guitar, vocals), and all of the essential additives... (3 backing vocalists, cello, trombone, saxophone, percussion and keys). 

Vocalist Julie Lamb has been about singing various styles for mumble years, but singing her originals is her natural space, and it shows.

Andrew Richardson (drums) and Callum Hazlitt-Black (bass) seem to have been playing together forever, they keep the band tidy... and laughing! Andreas Lepper adds patterns and effects with his incredible style and extensive collection of noise makers.

Dave Hadley's guitar tone is perfect for our style of music, and his riffs are inspired. His hair is also about the same length as Lamb's... they are the "Status Quo" section of the band.

The horn section - Damian Forlong on trombone and Geraint Scott on saxophones, toss out riffs at exactly the right time, and provide dream solos - what showmen!

Charley Davenport provides some incredible colour with his cello and effects. He puts the mood into the works as if he'd written them himself. Just wow.

Keyboards are played to great effect by John McDonald. He adds flair and colour for the band to bounce off. And last, but not least, the beautiful, funny, vivacious backing vocalists. Miranda Turner, Deb Rock-Evans and Emma Davey.

So much fun! Come and get finessed!

These quotes are from our album launch... "You were all so wicked, amazing afternoon guys and girls, AND we are now the new proud owners of both Albums YAY Love you Julie Lamb xx", "Awesome is the word for it! Awesome band, awesome singers, awesome songs and awesome leader of the pack", "Hey Julie, Absolutely fantastic afternoon, fabulous entertainment (bought both CDs!), you are amazing! ... sorry we couldn't stick around to tell you to your face, had to take off but managed to stay until the last song. Awesome!! xo"