Current band rollcall?
Seja Vogel (keys,vox, guitar), Meredith McHugh (guitar, vox, keys) and Renae Collett (drums, keys).
Seja has been around since …
10-ish years? Starting playing in Sekiden when I was about 17. But, solo, Seja has only been around for a year or so.
Let's play Six Degrees of Seja. What are some interesting musical links you could come up with?
I played in a band with Stella Mozgawa, who once had a jam with Flea, Slash, Perry Farrell and Tom Morello.
First song ever written?
I wrote a song about a soy bean when I was 13 or 14.
Music making for you began when …
I started learning the violin and piano as a kid. And then - again - when I learnt how to use Pro Tools in high school.
Most unusual sound/instrument you've used in your music?
I used ripping-paper and sliding-paper on a desk as percussion in A Million Wheels.
Strangest gig you've ever played?
I got sprayed with a fire hose mid Sekiden show once. That was pretty strange. I was worried for my synthesisers.
Do you pin up images when recording to help inspire your songs? (Or put up other things in the studio for the same effect?)
I was surrounded by my little felt synthesisers while I made this album, which was lovely.
Unlikeliest thing to influence your music?
Justin Timberlake.
Most unconventional topic you've covered in your lyrics?
Shhh, they're all secrets.
If you had to offer any of your lyrics as love advice (or life advice), you would offer …
"Sit on the edge of my bed, sing me the song like you said".
Most useful lyrics you've heard in a song?
"Don’t shit where you eat my friend," Ween.
Do you think the country/city/town you live in affects your music in any way?
I think it does to a certain extent. Especially when you are growing up and you're more influenced and excited by bands. I would definitely think differently about music if I hadn't grown up to the local pop bands I listened to when I was in school.
You would love to record with …
Sean O'Hagan from the High Llamas.
Favourite person you have performed with/recorded with …
Being onstage with Spod is always fun because you have no idea what's going to happen.
Outside of playing music, you spend your time …
Sewing little felt instruments.
Next for you is …
The album tour!
If record stores had to come up with a new genre name to file your music under, it would be called …
Synth-soft-girlie-pop.
Seja has just released her excellent debut album, We Have Secrets But Nobody Cares, which features one of her signature felt instruments on the cover. Musically though, proper synthesisers are deployed throughout the album - turns out it only takes 14 of them to sound this good. For more details, visit here.
