Interview '08 - Inga Brittingham
04.28.08 - Monday
From day one there has been one member who has not only been a driving force behind Naked Beggars but she has pretty much redefined the image of what a rock front woman looks and sounds like. Hearing her sassy vocals and watching her perform brings out so much and it's hard to pinpoint but Inga Brittingham unquestionably has a energy to her that draws listeners closer. Initially this interview took form a little over two to three months ago and was almost thought to be lost in the shuffle but like the saying goes 'Good things come to those who wait...' and Inga was more than happy to let Shipwreck Island Studios know what she was up to as well as everything happening inside the Naked Beggars camp. To see what Mrs. Brittingham had to say keep reading...
Photos Courtesy Of:
www.myspace.com/nakedbeggars
Inga: Well, I guess that's what came out of being a four piece. We never intended for the sound to be more edgier. However, I did (Laughs) I like the raw sound! I liked both sides though. It never changes too much. You can always hear the Naked Beggars style in all the songs.
Island:
As this being the group's third album the songwriting
process took over a year in the making, much like how Naked Beggars did
the writing on your previous effort Spit It Out. Obviously writing good
material will always will remain vital for the musician and it shows
that it's a skill that isn't contrived. How would you say the
songwriting on this album compares to when the Beggars first formed to
what was done on Spit It Out up to the point you're at now? Were there
any specific elements that you wanted to explore with this latest outing
or was the attitude just to write the best material possible that still
retained the qualities that the Naked Beggars formula is built on?
Inga: Actually, we
never intended the album to take that long. Due to Eric having his heart
attack we had to put off some things. And unfortunately, I think the
recording took longer then the writing. Eric was experimenting with
recording sounds as well as having some recording issues. But all in all
it was better that we waited because we were all very happy with the
outcome. As far as the material goes we just usually write until we are
happy with the songs as a group and then from there decide which are
best for the album as a whole. We like to consider that there is
something for everyone on each CD.
Island:
The music that Naked Beggars has always written and
performed features a wide array of influences ranging from glam to blues
to soul and punk. To hear a female vocalist who can step up and sing
from a wide range of influences while not entirely unheard of is rare to
find in the rock genre. Singers will usually reach their peak with a
certain release. Looking at Spit It Out and XXX it seems that your
performances on both those albums comparatively remain untainted. Were
there any areas you wanted to expand on with the release of this newest
disc as a singer? And are there any gratifying qualities that you enjoy
about XXX that sticks out the most?
Inga:
I never really thought about it! I am so enamored with
all types of music that I usually just try to feel each song and hope
that I am singing the style that belongs to that individual song. I
always am learning each time we developed a new song. So, I hope that I
can always get better! :)
Island:
Drawing from the last question as a singer you've always
managed to bring some very dynamic characteristics to this group which
is thanks in part to your unique voice. For most vocalists it can be
quite challenging to bring the same set of emotions from the recording
studio into a live setting however when listening to your performances
on albums and then watching you perform on stage it seems that Inga
Brittingham has no major difficulties making the transition between the
two. Looking at the studio performance compared to live performances are
there any certain things that you try to bring into the live setting as
well as are there any traits from the live setting that you try to
capture in the studio setting?
Inga: The hardest thing for me is
singing in a studio… Quite honestly it sucks (laughs) but I truly try to
bring my live feel to the table when recording... and also I try to sing
clearly (laughs again) so you can hear what I'm singing. The rest is up
to the editing! But, to me you can only get more by recording after
you've played many live shows. It really has taught me quite a bit!
Island: From the biography section up on your myspace profile you allude to the fact that you were very active in theatre back during your college days. Taking a look back at that particular point in your life was that the path you initially wanted to head down? Or was it a passion that you were looking to dive deeper into while keeping life's other options open? Also how did the decision come about to switch gear so to speak and go from a theatre background to becoming a prominent front woman of a rock band?
Naked Beggars 2008
Inga: Truly, I just always have been a singer with a bit of craziness and being part of theater was just another side of me where I could express myself. I am a performer. So, I guess it was meant to be when it was meant to be. Everything happens for a reason. I'm glad I did theater but it actually became boring because I was unable to adlib.
Island: Several years back you were actually featured in a cameo appearance for the music video for Martina Mcbride's This One's For The Girls. It could be said that such a cameo saw you get back in touch with your theatrical roots since a performance the likes of this relied more on the visual element. When reflecting back on that experience as a whole what would you say was the rewarding factor to being a part of that music video? And how come we haven't seen Inga Brittingham take on more endeavors such as this? Will you ever again get the desire to be featured in front of the video camera again?
Inga: We will definitely be doing a video. I only want a video done correctly with the correct project, the correct song, the correct film quality. I don't want anything shitty in other words (Laughing) I could make a shitty video, then be known for that crappy video! When I actually did the Martina video I was the first person in the video to be taped...so, it was like a five minute thing and I was extremely comfortable playing myself in a video…so I guess it wasn't too far fetched! And I did have fun! You wouldn't know it, but that particular night I was coming down with the flu. I was really glad to be done... and I was glad that they used my shots a lot! (Laughs)
Island:
Focusing more on what Naked Beggars have been up to in
the last couple months the band went on a lengthy tour in support of XXX
featuring support from the Gibbs Brothers Band. Not to mention the fact
that you played a show in March with The Donnas. This question you must
get a lot but how is the latest tour going over with both the band and
fans? Naked Beggars have kind of earned the reputation as one of today's
definitive bar bands and that in turn has helped increase your
popularity. Playing bars makes for a much more intimate setting in which
the performance offers a much more personal connection between the band
and their fans. Is there a preference as to what venues you like to
perform in? It seems that more and more artists are actually for getting
back into a club setting. Or do you prefer a much bigger stage in which
you have a larger crowd to win over ala opening for a band the likes of
Lynyrd Skynyrd?
Inga:
The show with the Donnas seemed to be a perfect match. I
don't think I've ever played with another band in which we just had such
an extremely tight match. Not to mention that we get along really well
with the girls! That was maybe too fun of a night! I like playing both
bars and large venues. I feel like I can get intimate with any crowd.
(Sometimes too intimate) All kidding aside, I love the intimate settings
of a bar and it can be rewarding to get to know the fans on a personal
level. And there is a great feeling of playing a huge stage and have a
great reaction from the audience! I just love every aspect of playing
live!
Island: It looks as if 2008 will be the year of Naked Beggars as XXX will keep the band on the road. With the year still in the early phases is there any particular thing that you are looking forward that everyone can expect from the Beggars? Lastly, if there was any one thing that you'd want a Naked Beggars to walk away with in '08 what would you want that to be?
Inga: Well, we are looking forward to continuing playing out and writing for our fourth album... which we already have quite a few solid songs lined up for but since Cinderella will be touring this summer some people may assume we aren't going to be touring… not true. We will be out with hopefully a full band and be playing all summer. We are working currently on having some people fill-in..etc. So, you will have to keep your eyes open for dates which one of them will be Rocklahoma. Yes, we have joined the band wagon… so to say! haha!
Island: XXX features some of Naked Beggars' finest songwriting to date. Artists always try to channel certain influences in their style and with this latest release it seems that the Beggars have run the gamut yet again. Listed below are the names of standout tracks from XXX if you could share some off the cuff thoughts that come to mind:
Never Runaway - I wrote this song
in the bathroom in Clearlake Iowa! A gig when we had Kristine and Jeff
with us. It's of course about a torn relationship. "But, even throughout
all of the crap... I will never runaway!"
Naked-n-Beggin' - SEX
Pretty Boy - SEX with a hotty!
Get Down - That was an awesome song brought to the table by
Kristine and Kris. We put a little Van Halen so to say flare to it! I
love that song! That one is about drinking!
Still Alive - This was a song Kris and Lisa wrote while Jeff and
myself were downstairs writing "You’re the One"... I suppose this was
about a shitty relationship!
Island:
Well that pretty much does it for our questions as at this time we would
like to thank you, Inga, for taking the time to sit down with the Island
and sharing your thoughts on all things Naked Beggars. Are there are any
parting thoughts or words or wisdom that you would like to share with
your fans and our readers?
Inga: Just only a few things, if you
haven't heard us please come and check us out! If you like it, keep
listening! Also, you might want to check out a live show you simply just
don't know what will happen ;)
To pick up your copy of XXX you can buy it via the following links: www.nakedbeggars.com - iTunes - Napster - Amazon MP3
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