Quick-fire Questions: 10 minutes with Ellen Reid
In a haze of shimmering strings, Ellen Reid has emerged defiantly as one of the brightest lights in the modern jazz scene. However, such a sentiment does her a disservice. The Pulitzer Prize-winning composer relishes the chance to escape scenes, genres and the usual confines of musical traditionalism, evidenced by her Soundwalk public art project.
Created in conjunction with local academic institutions, the project was, in its own quiet way, revolutionary. In short, Reid wandered through parks, cooking up compositions that matched the unfurling landscapes before her. She then developed these pieces seamlessly into an app that allowed the downloader to go for a wander, with the music in their headphones changing depending on the path they took.
This ingenious design looked to enliven our integral connections to nature. Now, Reid has teamed up with an array of her favourite musicians – from Kronos Quartet to Shabaka Hutchings’ and James McVinnie – to transform her park walk works in the discreet album, Big Majestic. Although, once again, ‘discreet’ does the music a disservice—it flows with all the amorphous beauty that the project initially intended, simply offering the chance to enjoy some pond-side escapism while you’re stood by your own kettle.
With the album set to arrive on August 30th, launched by the latest single, ‘West Coast Sky Forever’, featuring Kronos Quartet (below), we thought we’d catch up with the pioneering star to get her take on trivialities, the influence of The Beatles, and the biggest songs in her life alike, in a slew of good old quick-fire questions. Enjoy.
Quick-fire Questions with Ellen Reid:
1. What song would you want played at your funeral?
“‘All Is Full Of Love’ by Björk.”
2. A book is being made into a movie and the producers want you to do the soundtrack; which book do you want it to be?
“1Q84 by Haruki Murakami – the sound world of this book would be so fun to dive into! I’ve actually wanted to make this into an opera.”
3. What has been your favourite album of 2024?
“Night Reign by Arooj Aftab.”
4. Is there a genre of music you haven’t dabbled in yet but would like to?
“Musical Theater! I love large-scale staged works. I’m dreaming up some musical ideas with my writing partner, Roxie Perkins.”
5. Have you ever cried at a concert?
“Every time… Give me a reason to cry, and I will. Recently at a Nala Sinephro concert I had to wipe tears of joy.”
6. What’s the weirdest gig you’ve ever played?
“I was hired to sing ‘I Will Survive’ at a fancy hotel’s NYE party in Hua Hin, Thailand. The producer of the gig insisted on making me cut my hair. And can you believe, I let her. I was 22.”
7. Where do you keep your Pulitzer Prize?
“Fun fact: the Pulitzer Prize is a glass paperweight with Joseph Pulitzer’s face on it. The paperweight is on a shelf in my studio kind of tucked away. I’m worried that if it’s displayed more prominently, it will make it more difficult for me to create freely.”
8. Can you recommend us an album we probably haven’t heard of yet?
“If you wanna go on an inward journey, Missy Mazzoli’s Dark with Excessive Bright will take you places.”
9. When are you at your most creative?
“First thing in the morning with a little caffeine in my system, or on a walk taking in my surroundings.”
10. Do you believe in ghosts?
“Absolutely.”
11. What’s your most controversial cultural opinion?
“Jeremy Allen White (as Carmy) is not hot.”
12. What’s one classic album you’ve never been able to get onboard with?
“I’m on board with most classic albums, but I’ve never been able to get into any album by Steely Dan.”
13. One food / meal you’ve eaten abroad that you still, tragically, get futile cravings for?
“This little block in Abu Dhabi had a delicious flatbread with labneh, za’atar, and olive oil. It was to die for. And there was a juice place down the block that made a blended avocado, strawberry and mango juice. Heaven. I’m not the best chef, but I have never even come close to creating this delicious meal at home… and you know I tried!”
14. Where is the best music venue in the world?
“The Hollywood Bowl.”
15. Are The Beatles overrated?
“No way. Timeless brilliance.”
