Meet: Lyrical Larrikin Gemma Rogers

Lyrical larrikin Gemma Rogers has words for the wise. Those already in the know recently gathered in Hackney to celebrate with Gemma at the Ode To Records label launch. Biting wit and edgy social commentary poured out as freely as the bottle of rum Gemma was pouring down the throats of her spellbound fans at the end of the gig. Backseat Mafia caught up with Gemma as her words wafted through the East London night. Welcome to the world of Gemma Rogers – a deliciously eclectic land of literature, good poached eggs and Tom Waits – just never ever get on the wrong side of her on an escalator!

Who do you think you are?

Good feckin’ question. I’m Gemma Rogers. Wearer of many hats but the only one you need to know about – for now – is the musical one.

Where did you come from?

A healthy happy corner of west London with a twist of a pigeon breeder for a neighbour and a pizza spot tripling up as god knows what.

What are you doing in Hackney?

Playing a label launch party at a venue called Paper Dress Vintage – we signed to new label ‘Ode To Records’ for the No Future EP. Couple of the other artists on the bill are also signed to them: Tabi, Baby Brave and George Ullyott from Deadletter.

It was National Poetry Day so we asked Salena Godden to come along too. She was amazing and actually its kick started a new project idea. Watch this space. It’s been an exciting few weeks: playing the tracks live, meeting new faces, seeing the record tucked under its forever homes arm. Getting an instant response to the new stuff. There’s nothing like getting out and about.

It was great to see you team up with poet Salena Godden. Words are clearly important to you, yeah?

Words break your bones more than sticks and stones. They are potent and they are delicate. Words can get the ball rolling. Words can change a life. They can break a connection and start a new one. Salena Godden is a high priestess of the pen and paper. We have shared many a stage over the years. At different literary events. She with her poetry and me with my songs accompanied by the ukulele and a backing track. I will often start with the lyrics first when I’m writing a tune.

Performing on my own has often given the lyrics more space to travel to settle. It’s a very different experience to playing with the full band. We’re actually playing a full band acoustic set at The Albion Rooms in Margate on sat 9th Nov – come along! Salena released her brilliant novel, “Mrs Death misses death” a couple years back and it inspired me to write ‘Death Knocked Up’ – the second track off No Future EP – the music video for it is a mad one – check it out if you haven’t yet – it was directed and edited by Louis Norton Selzer.

Aside from rum, obvs…what is your idea of fun?

Cycling through the city on one of those fresh sunny crisp days London does so well. Long baths. My daughter belly laughing. Friends. Fires. Festivals.

I bestow on you the freedom of London for the day – where are you taking us for the perfect 24 hours in the capital?

It’s Saturday. It’s warm. Brunch at mine because I make the best poached eggs. But beware the toddler. She will not hold back if she fancies a bite .. of your egg not your ankle. Then a swim at the ponds on Hampstead Heath, The Hawley for a Bloody Mary – they’ve got a secret recipe which is fucking weird but amazing, a late matinee at the National Theatre and then a gig at the Moth Club. Fit.

Tell us about your record…

No Future EP is a reflection of what was happening what I was feeling and reading over the period of about five months. I teamed up with a handful of new collaborators which I always find fascinating because it brings something totally unexpected. It also means this EP feels like the most varied in terms of sound. Lyrically though I have kept it observational and spiky with a sprinkle of humour but not as much as previous releases. It’s been harder to see the light recently.

I signed to a new indie label called Ode to Records for this release and they put it out as a limited run of beautiful red vinyl which I’m chuffed about. It’s out via Rough Trade in their stores and online. Dash the Henge are stocking too – we played an in store for them last month where it got a little raucous. Juno, Vinyl Vanguard Walthamstow and via Ode To Records own store too. We’ve had support and BBC 6 Music plays from Steve Lamacq, Amy Lamé and Chris Hawkins and support from John Kennedy (Radio X)

Your live shows seem refreshingly engaging – are you a natural performer?

I try Backseat Mafia I try. I’ve seen a lot of shows and watched a lot of theatre over the years and at the back of my mind is a constantly updating review. I think about what I enjoy watching and why. The feeling of having seen something up close and personal thats made you smile, laugh, sing along, cry, dance is fucking magic. And as someone whose been playing on this bizarrely addictive platform. I want to entertain the people who come and support us. That’s my job. Life’s hard, people want a release.

Best and worst aspect of the music industry?

That the word mediocrity doesn’t seem to exist – it’s all algorithms and pluggers and money for campaigns and maintaining a constant social media presence – then when you realise that your outgoings for one campaign or one tour have cost more than a luxury holiday to the Bahamas, one might question why on earth you’re pushing through independently in the middle of a broken system. But the creatives you meet along the way.

The beautiful people who champion music, who run the venues, the folk who give space to those wanting to use their voice. Those who buy your merch, see you live because there’s nothing like playing live. That interaction, it’s glorious, terrifying, spontaneous, unpredictable and I can’t imagine doing anything else. So despite the hardships, I just. Can’t. Stop.

Who are you heroes?

My family. They’re an epic collection of humans. A lot of them are musicians.

Song you wish you had written?

Tom Waits’ ’The Piano Has Been Drinking’ pure vaudevillian joy.

Highlight of your career so far?

Opening up for Paolo Nutini at Wasing House this summer. I’d follow Paolo to the top of Croagh Patrick. Barefoot. And back again.

What pisses you off?

Disregarded escalator etiquette

Tell us a secret?

I think Coldplay are here to save us all. A portion of the proceeds from their stadium shows next year are going to the Music Venue Trust who support grassroots venues.

Tell us a joke?

Why should you never trust stairs? They’re always up and down. Listen I know it’s a bit shit. I’ve got one other I remember off by heart but it’s too long and too rude for the here and now. Come to a show soon and I’ll whisper it to you…