Violinist and singer SAVANNAH JO LACK quit an orchestra to play with everyone from Women In Docs to Alanis Morissette, then left that to record her solo album, KNITTING SONGS. She tells JODY MACGREGOR why.

JODY MACGREGOR: What made you realise being part of an orchestra wasn’t for you?

SAVANNAH JO LACK: I think I always knew, even when I was seriously studying classical music, that orchestral playing wasn’t for me. I loved the feeling of being a part of a huge musical organism but the creative part of my being wasn’t satisfied by that role. I found that my brain was really engaged but I had to keep a big chunk of my heart reigned back in order to play well in an orchestra. Having said that, some of my favourite musicians are orchestral players who have somehow nailed the knack of combining head and heart – Warwick Adeney and Richard Tognetti come to mind.

JM: When did you start writing your own songs?

SJL: I started writing songs when I was out on the road with a band. There was a lot of driving involved, so during long haul trips across the country, I’d be messing with words and chords and strings in my head. I actually want to write my next album in the same way but this time in the US, on an Amtrak train across the country.

JM: Do you knit yourself?

SJL: I do knit! Very slowly and badly but I love the process. It feels somehow wholesome to me. A cup of tea and some good wool make me feel like I’m atoning for all of those nights of post-gig tequila drinking! Knitting is also one of the only ways I know to slow down. I hate sitting still. Knitting distracts me.

JM: What is a Savannah Jo Lack solo concert like?

SJL: Golly! What is a Savannah Jo concert like? Fun. Irreverent, although sometimes (if we’re having a really great gig), reverent. It has lots of violin layers and loops, vocals, guitars, beats and covers a pretty big emotional and dynamic range... we can go from really teeny pizzicato sounds to really big, distorted strings and guitars in the blink of an ear drum. Oh, and an SJL show has lots of knitters. I am documenting my Aussie shows, so anyone who knits at the shows gets a free CD and the chance to star in my video blog of the tour.

SAVANNAH JO LACK performs a Live Spark show at the Brisbane Powerhouse on Sunday Feb 21. KNITTING SONGS is available now. See www.savannahjolack.com for more info.

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