G. Merrick Justice

Now, though it is true that RedBubble focuses most of it’s attention on that which grabs the eye, be it the actual eyeball, or the mind’s eye through a beautiful work of prose, one must never forget that these are just pleasures of one sense, while the human is gifted with five. There are plenty of those among us who not only exercise muscles of sight, but of sound as well. There are a great many indeed, who would have to attribute sole dedication to that which perks the ear, should it come down to the misery of choosing one sense or the other. I was amazed and enamored by one of the RB crew I scarcely knew existed, when upon asking her for an interview, I took the time to listen to her musical gift. The following is my interview with Bridget a’Beckett, and though this siren can hardly come through on paper as enchantingly as she does on sound-wave, I can only pray that what you read here will give you initiative to seek out her talent – musically divine – for yourself.

1. Ahh, I know this interview will be a nice change of pace from the usual. Not that I haven’t enjoyed every moment of the interviews I did with the RB Admins so far, but you’re a bit different. Before we get to that difference though, why don’t you tell us a little bit about what you do at the bubble. Feel free to exaggerate your importance, none of us standard Joes and Janes will know any better.

I am accounting queen. I work up in a tower with my accounting computer and make sure all the payments side of things run smoothly – which is a difficult task when your dealing in 4 currencies…

2. Where were you born? Where do you now call home? Where would you most love to live if anywhere?

I was born on a farm in a NSW town called Tumbarumba – at the foor of the snowy mountains. A beautiful place to grow up. I call Melbourne home though because I went to school here, and lived here most of my ‘adult’ life (if you can ever call yourself an adult..) I love it for the people, the coffee, the culture and the buzz of the place.

I think I’d like to eventually end up in a beautiful small Australian town somewhere – no idea actually where but the country is calling…

3. Right, now that the technical details are out of the way, we can focus on you as a person. I happen to know that you practice the only primary art form which RedBubble does not cater to – music. I highly doubt any artist here however doesn’t cherish music as an inspirational tool, but what made music your primary focus to this point? Is it your primary focus?

It is my absolute primary focus. If I could I would live breathe and eat music all day and all night. What made it that way? I think from my days in the womb my mother listened to classical music, and then having quite a solitary childhood I spent a lot of time making things and listening to music. I was a happy kid, and so I think music is always able to take me to my happy place!~

4. I’m pulling heavy guns early here: if you could choose only two other musicians to listen to for the rest of your life, who would they be and why?

Woah, rest of my life is a big ask! I’d have to say Mozart for one, because his music is so brilliant and layered that you can always find something new in it, and it’s soothing and exhilarating at the same time.

And right now, if I was stuck on a desert island with Damien Rice I wouldn’t be complaining. Even though he does, he does it with such feeling and creativity that it’s the most likeable whinge ever.

5. I very much stumbled upon your musical work, but in mere moments I was hooked. You have one album out already, The Wishing, available, among other places, on iTunes. It’s truly an amazing work of lyrical stitching and tints, worthy in my opinion of any praise that could be given a “popular” artist (if not more, since to be popular, often you have to be a bit paler than passionate). So, are you working on a second album?

I’d love to be, but at the moment I am performing as much as I can to promote this one.

I’ve been writing a lot of songs recently – my favourite thing to do, and am bursting at the seams to put them down but for now, I’m just enjoying being on the stage and playing.

6. What is the coolest word or phrase you have ever worked into a song? You know, like one of those Fiona Apple or Tori Amos ones… (like, “Your presence dominates the judgements made on you…” or “I got big-bird on a fishing line, and a bit of shout… etc.)

Nice choice of examples – I love Fiona Apple – she was a big inspiration for me.

I’d have to say some of my favourite lyrics are from a song ‘Sure of You’ – it was written to reassure the boy that had fallen for me that even though I am indecisive, I was sure of him. ‘You have fallen for a fickle child who chooses the apple and only thinks once she decides.’

7. I guess, as much as I would enjoy it, I can’t only talk about your music… so moving on a bit. You must have a great appreciation for the visual and literary arts or you would have never taken a position here. Tell us a little about what draws you to these art forms as well. Do you practice any of them?

I love any kind of artistic expression. I find it the essence of life and I seek it out everywhere. I love the endless ways people can express themselves, the ideas, the passion. I could seek, find, stare, talk about art forever. If oly I could draw as well.! My mother is an artist. She fascinates me because she came from quite a conservative background and her art has always been still life, but now she is taking risks and her personality is coming out in more abstract pieces – it is exciting to watch.

8. A recent buzz around the Bubble has been all things collaboration – members who work in different mediums coming together to combine their talents into something greater. Music may never be a mainstay in the RB world, but it can certainly have its place. Any ideas you’d like to offer the community at large regarding ways to add music into the mix to joint projects?

Absolutely. So many! Actually, my album cover is the result of a collaboration between ARPhotography and Narelle Craven – both RB members.

One day If I have a neverending budget to play with, I would love to put out a challenge for RB members to collaborate images to put together for a film clip for one of my songs.

9. Over the last centuries, the ear seems to have eclipsed the eye as the propelling force behind humanity. As you experience first-hand both senses intensely, would you agree? Why or why not?

I always ask myself this question – would I prefer to be deaf or blind…I think I’d have to say deaf, as I can hear music in my head whether it’s playing or not – but to not be able to see people and the world we live in would probably kill me slowly.

10. I have to assume you appreciate the iPod (at least) as it is a thriving vehicle to spread you music… but how do you feel about cell phones?

I hate the phone in general. I find it distracting, and you can never compensate for talking to someone face to face. Plus the whole tumour in the head thing – I’m not really ok with that – still feel like my generation are the mobile phone guinea pigs and we’re yet to discover how nasty they actually are. Having said that, I get a little edgy without it. Ha!

11. Overall, would you say you were a good student? What was your favorite subject? I only ask this to prepare for the next question (testing your history knowledge quotient), but still…

Yes I love to learn things I’m interested in and I work hard. If I’m not interested, I’m the most terrible cheeky distracted student in the class.

12. Of any period in history you know of, which would you most like to live in if you weren’t able to live in this one?

Maybe the Renaissance era, or the 20s because I love the fashion then – although I’d hate to be a woman in the early 1900s. It would have driven me crazy and I would have been labeled a witch for sureAnd maybe I ‘d like to be in Berlin during the Weimar Republic before WWII because everyone went wild with experimentation and creativity – and the parties were out of this world. Then I’d like to skip from 1939 onwards thanks…

13. Are you the kind of girl/lady/woman (and please don’t think me a misogynist for this one) who has one article of clothing they simply cannot live without? OK, OK, you’re right, I’m being sexist… to even the playing field, I can’t live without wife-beater t-shirts and my pendant necklace with a “G” on it. There… now, back to you…

haha. No, being a musician I have learnt not to be materialistic. Not saying you are – but you learn to live without! Except my thongs – quick easy and practical. And they’re easy to slip off under the table (bare feet are my favourite clothing…)

14. If you went to see a movie about the scariest thing you can think of, what would it be about. (For instance, anything with Asian undead, say, “The Grudge” will send me on a two-week insomnia fest)?

Well I have a funny story to tell you about this. I was on the phone to a friend late one night,and we were both watching Rage – we started talking about our scariest image – mine was the idea of seeing a child running silently through a pine forest at night, for no reason, and with no sound.

Then, 5 minutes after saying it – a Rage filmclip came on with exactly this image. Spooked me.

15.Is there any sound you simply cannot stand, perhaps a pitch, high or low, or a particular device, like a wa-wa pedal or bassoon?

No, but I have a friend that can’t stand the sound of ice. Do you think that’s strange, because I do.

Actually yes, neck bones cracking. Urgh.

16. Cat or dog?

Dog

17. Up or down?

Up

18. Left or right?

Left

19. Digital or Analog?

Analog

20. Ok, and finally, the old standard: If you could have any meal comprised of three kinds of food or drink (it could be all foods, or all drinks, or a mix, but only three) what would it be (and tell us why in a way which makes us hungry!)

Ok, I love my gourmet food, so it would have to be gourmet pizza.

Thin crusty base with prosciutto layered on the bottom, fresh tomato, thin slivers of parmesan cheese, and dollops of goats cheese that’s been browned in the oven…..YUM

Then gelati – 2 flavours, one is chocolate and cinnamon flavour, and the other is lychee and coconut. Greatest combination in the world I tell you.

And a coffee. Soy latte. Love my soy lattes. Not in a pretentious way. But definitely in an obsessive can’t get through the day without it way.