In the studio today, we have singer songwriter Tess Yale, who has just released her new album, Shooting Stars.0:04
Tell me, have you always wanted to be a singer songwriter?0:12
Well, it's true that I've always loved music.0:15
I had a fairly musical childhood.0:19
When I was little, my mum used to listen to the radio a lot, and so I was exposed to different styles, from pop to classical.0:22
From an early age, I was fascinated by how songs have the ability to hook you with their catchy melodies.0:30
It wasn't long after that that I started composing my own tunes.0:37
Did your family encourage you to take music lessons?0:42
I really wanted to have singing lessons and I kept asking for them.0:45
But we lived in a remote part of the country and good singing teachers were hard to come by.0:49
I finally found a teacher called Ms. Gibbons, but she told me that I should learn to play the piano first, which I did.0:55
So I didn't get to do the singing lessons I really wanted to do.1:04
Still, I was glad that I had taken up the piano.1:08
So you ended up relying on your own natural talent more than anything.1:11
That must have been hard.1:14
Well, luckily I was able to continue studying music at secondary school, and then later I went on to study voice and composition at university.1:16
But I still remember the early days when I was just a teenager.1:25
Melodies would come to me and I could even hear the whole piece in my head, the way it should sound with all the different instruments and everything.1:30
And I felt so frustrated that I couldn't write it down.1:38
I used to hum the tune into a small tape recorder so that it wouldn't get lost.1:42
Technology has come a long way since then, hasn't it?1:47
How has it helped you with your compositions?1:50
It's amazing what you can do now.1:52
You can just sing the notes and the computer writes it all up for you.1:56
Some people would say that technology has made us lazy, but I call it progress.2:01
You can experiment with all kinds of sounds, rhythms and harmonies.2:06
That's not to say that I don't appreciate real live instruments.2:13
In fact, I prefer to use live instruments where possible.2:17
Does that mean that you prefer to perform in front of a live audience rather than be recording?2:21
As a singer songwriter, I must say I enjoy both.2:26
I get a thrill out of creating the music in the first place, but there's nothing better than performing your own pieces in front of an audience.2:30
Having said that, I have to admit there are times when I find touring exhausting and I just want to get back into the recording studio.2:39
I try as far as possible to achieve a balance, spending some time out on tour without it upsetting my private life.2:48
What do you like to sing about most?2:56
How important are the lyrics to you?2:58
Many of my songs stem from my own life.3:00
They are very personal.3:03
Others are about things I have seen around me.3:05
The lyrics are an essential part of my songs and I sit for days trying to get them right and fit them to the music.3:08
I am always conscious of the potential messages they might give to people.3:15
It's so easy to come across in the wrong way.3:20
So what advice would you like to give any potential singer songwriters out there?3:23
Don't aim too high too soon.3:28
You have to be patient in this line of work.3:31
Keep working at it and accept all criticism as a chance to grow.3:33
Work with other musicians as much as you can too.3:39
You need their inspiration sometimes.3:42
Well, it's been a real pleasure to have you on the show, Tess.3:45
Good luck with your new album and your upcoming tour.3:47
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