My Life in Music
Martha Wainwright
The returning singer-songwriter reveals her biggest influences – from inside and outside her illustrious family: “I felt like I existed”
INTERVIEW: SAM RICHARDS
PHOTO:GAËLLE LEROYER.
MNINA SIMONE
LIVE IN EUROPE TRIP, 1972
I was given this album by Rufus. I’d already started writing songs and playing some shows, but I was really moved when I heard this. Obviously she’s the singer and the piano player who’s leading the whole band, but she doesn’t take too much emphasis away from the purpose of the song. She doesn’t sing as a songwriter, because oftentimes she didn’t write the songs, but as someone conveying the idea of the song. Obviously in this case “Ne Me Quitte Pas” would have spoken to her. [The album inspired me] to be good on stage, to be interesting and compelling musically, but also to give space to others who are on stage around you. It’s not an ego trip!