CATCH UP: Zoe Graham
How would you describe your creative mode right now?
Sporadic! As usual, I have waves of creativity. I write tunes, I make things, I feel excited about writing and on the flip side I have spells of unenthusiasm, creative blocks.
I have these waves normally but somehow they felt more intense in this lockdown. At the start of lockdown I was at the hight of productivity, like a lot of us, I had these grand aspirations to get the most out of my time. That lasted for a good wee while, I was writing a lot, waking up early and being productive. However, naturally the novelty wears off and before I know it I’m back in bed at 2pm watching repeats of Kitchen Nightmares.
However, I usually work myself back up to a good creative mood and I’m back on the writing train again…choo choo
What has been keeping you entertained during lockdown?
Well, for most of lockdown so far I’ve been very occupied with the bingo! I started a live bingo night on my instagram every Saturday. Each week we would have an average of 25-30 people playing, one week 50 people joined us!
It was really stupid fun and something different for me to do. It was actually quite a lot of work on the week running up to the ‘big night’. If I wasn’t making bingo cards, I was making prizes, sending out individual cards, making posters. It was a bit like a part time job!
However, I’ve also been doing a lot of cooking, pickling things is my new hobby, and watching Grayson Perry’s Art Club and Killing Eve on a Monday night!
I’ve also developed a real obsession with watching NASA and Space X videos online after the recent launch. Becoming very fascinated with Elon Musk.
It feels like music has played a big part for everyone during lockdown, what's your ultimate feel-good track and/or album that you keep coming back to, and why?
It’s difficult to pick one! I’ve been listening to a lot of Cate Le Bon, and I’ve been getting into L.A. Priest during lockdown. However, I do keep on going back to Sufjan Stevens at certain points in my life so I would have to say his album ‘Illinois’ is my go to. Also loving his new album ‘Aporia’.
I’ve been watching a lot of full concerts online, Sufjan Stevens - Carrie & Lowell Live, Bombay Bicycle Club - Live at Brixton Academy, next on my list of gigs to watch is IDLES live at Le Bataclan.
How was your experience at the SAMAs last October?
It’s was great! I really really didn’t expect to win. I was up against tough competition. To be honest, I really thought Aaron Smith had it in the bag. But I stayed sober most of the night… just in case haha! I didn’t want to have to make a speech half cut! I always love the SAMA nights, all my pals are there, it’s an exciting environment. Yeah, definitely looking forward to the next one (and having a pint as soon as I’m in the door this time!)
Zoe scooping the Best Acoustic SAMA in 2019.
Once the situation normalises, what are you looking forward to doing first?
I’m really looking forward to playing with my band! Myself, Donal McCrudden (drummer) and Craig Miqman (keys and other bits) were working really hard to get the live set up and running. We had dates across the UK, including the SAMA’s Stage At Liverpool Sound City and my first international show in Cologne lined up too. So It was really sad to have to miss out on all of that. I can’t wait to get playing with them! I want to get back to festivals too, this nice weather is really rubbing it in! Also, like most people, a proper pint!
Have you got any upcoming events or releases you would like to plug?
Yes! I’m brought out a new collaborative single with Blicero (Luke Palmer). ‘Stubborn Fire’ is the result of one of my last face to face writing session. We wrote the song together back at the start of the year. The release ended up being a great wee lockdown project, with socially distant video to come too!