Talking To...Jackie Oates
Welcome to the 8th editopn of “Talking To” where FATEA editor, Neil King gets to chat to some of the artists that have impressed
him through their work and releases. This occasional series continues with an interview with fiddle singer Jackie Oates
Like many people, I first came across Jackie Oates as part of Rachel Unthank & The Winterset as the fiddle player on their debut album, "Cruel Sister" in 05. I was fortunate enough to see her live for the first time at the band's showcase session at Cambridge a year later.
2006 also saw Jackie release her debut self titled album. It made the Mojo Top 10 that year as well as gaining Jackie a short listing for the Fatea Female Vocal award. She also found time to record her first album with Wistmans Wood.
Things seemed to be heading completely in the right direction for Jackie, before her unexpected departure from The Winterset over the cusp of 06-07, during the recording of "Bairns"
2007 was to prove a pivotal year for Jackie, one that saw her firmly established as not only a solo artist, but also an artist acknowledged by her peers. Cambridge Folk Festival was to prove a catalyst for Jackie.
Not only was she to put in a stunning performance for her Showcase in the Club Tent, partly accompanied by her brother Jim Moray, a performance preceded by a photo call in the backstage area, she also performed as part of an extended Show Of Hands in the Session. A line up that also included Martin Simpson and Brian McNeill.
Show Of Hand's Phil Beer would be the man both behind the desk for and also a performer on Jackie's follow up album, "The Violet Hour" on Phil's Chudleigh Roots label.
Jackie also started performing more solo gigs, including a well received set at Bournemouth Folk Club and an appearance at the Royal Albert Hall alongside Show Of Hands.
2008 saw Jackie taking on where 2007 left off. She was nominated for the Radio Horizon Award and won the Fatea Tradition Award. It also started with a buzz of anticipation around the forthcoming release of "The Violet Hour". A buzz that was fully vindicated when we finally got to hear the album in March.
I recently caught up with Jackie to talk to her about the album and a busy year ahead.
#JO=Jackie Oates #NK=Neil King
#NK First of all, 2007 quite a year for you.
#JO Yes, yes it was. Quite eventful, mixed but good.
#NK It seemed to be a year that moved further and further up the graph as it progressed. I know it started at quite a low ebb, but by the end of it, you'ld been nominated for The Radio Two Horizon Award…
#JO It was brilliant to play some solo gigs and play with my brother(Jim Moray) a bit, which I haven't before. It was a year that helped me to realise that I loved doing solo work as well as working with other musicians.
#NK Particularly your showcase session at Cambridge, very well attended.
#JO It was such a pivotal point really. Such a boost to my confidence.
#NK The barrage of photographers before you went on.
#JO That was very bizarre, it's never happened before.
#NK From there you went into recording the second album, with Phil Beer at the desk, as well as playing on it. How did that come about?
#JO Well the plan was always that we'd see how the first album went and if that was successful, there'd be a second album. Phil had agreed to set some time aside for me in August, so I had the whole of the first part of the year to plan the album.
It was fantastic, I'd dreamed up all these ideas in my head and went around with them for months, little riffs and accompaniments and things. By the time I came to record the album I knew what I wanted and what the whole thing was going to sound like.
It was brilliant because it was beautiful weather and we'd go into the studio, by the river, everyday and record for a few hours and then head for home and it was peaceful and relaxing.