Interview: Thelma Plum

Words by Scenewave Australia - Published on September 20, 2014

Brisbane based singer/songwriter Thelma Plum is taking the music scene by storm following the release of her latest EP, The Monsters. Despite being ill, we were able to have a little chat with her about music, touring and dreaming of being with Jeff Buckley ahead of her forthcoming national tour.

Hi there. How are you today? Not very well, I guess…

I’m okay, how are you?

I’m swell. I just got over my sickness last week, so I know how you’re feeling.

Oh no, it’s sucks hey?

Yeah.. Well thank you so much for chatting with us even though you’re not feeling great. So, you’ve had a pretty big year so far with the release of your Monsters EP, accompanied by a nation wide tour beginning next month. How would you describe your year so far?

How’ve they been? They’ve been pretty crazy! I been running around a lot. I suppose the most exciting thing was that my EP, Monsters, was released which I’m pretty happy about. It’s been a crazy twelve months.

Let’s talk about Monsters… If you had three words to describe it, what would they be?

Three words, um… I would say sad, happy and sad. All the feels.

What’s your favourite track?

I think Monsters would be the most special to me. I wrote that in the studio when we just were recording something else, I kind of just feeling it. That was the only take we did, I wrote it as I went. So yeah, that’s special to me.

Is that the usual writing process for you, or does it vary?

It really depends on how I’m feeling and where my head’s at, at the point. Sometimes, I suppose when I’m feeling a lot of emotions, it’s a lot easier for me to write a song. But if not a lot is going on and I feel okay at the time, then it’s maybe a little bit more difficult for me to write a song and I kind of have to sit down and force myself to do so.

Speaking of writing, I read that you started song writing when you were quite young, and the first song you wrote was basically a rip off of a Shania Twain song…

Oh my god, it’s so funny.

Eight year old you and I are pretty alike. Which song did you go with?

Oh, I can’t even remember. I know it was of the ones that like nobody knew very well, so I was very smart. I was like, half mine, half hers. It was so bad.

I feel you.When I was in fifth grade we had to write a song, and I stole a song from the Rugrats movie and thought I’d get away with it until a kid in class called me out on it.

That kid… what a shit kid.

You’ve had a pretty big year of shows as well. An east coast tour, Bigsound, Gympie Muster and Falls Festival coming up just to name a few… Do you have a favourite stage you’ve played on?

You know what, it’s a toss up between Woodford – I loved Woodford last year. I got to play on one of the big stages which was pretty incredible – and also a place that every time I play there I get goose bumps which is the Old Museum in Brisbane.

The sound is incredible there. Do you have a dream stage?

Oh gosh, there are many dream stages. You know, I would love to play at the Enmore Theatre in Sydney.

Any international that take your fancy?

Oh my god, so many… I’d have to have a think about it.

What can your fans be expecting from your forthcoming tour? Is it going to be an acoustic tour, or are you bringing out a band, funky lighting?

All of the above. I’ll be with my band. Lots of dancing, and lots of feels. It’s just going to be a lot bigger than any of my other previous shows.

Are you planning anything international any time soon, or just keeping within Australia for a little while?

Yeah! Hopefully towards the start of next year there’ll be a few things, but we’ll just have to see.

If you could bring out any guest artist, past or present, for a song, who would it be?

Oh, geez. That’s a great question. I’m sure everyone would say this, but maybe Jeff Buckley. I just love Jeff Buckley a lot, and I write a lot to his music so, yeah. Jeff Buckley. But then we’d have to write together. We’d have to be together forever.

What song would you guys sing?

I think we’d write a song together and then perform it.

And last but not least, any favorite Australian artists you’d love to collaborate with?

So many! Paul Kelly is probably my all time favorite Australian artist. But you know there’s a lot of Australian artists I’d love to work with. I love Rufus at the moment. I’d love to collaborate with Rufus. There’s quite a few people at the moment that I’m listening to. Australian music has always been good, but it’s getting so good.

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Interview: Thelma Plum

Words by Scenewave Australia - Published on September 20, 2014

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