Jane Aubourg
Website: janeaubourg.com.au
Old meets new for Jane's musical addiction
The marriage of traditional musical instruments with technology has seen the face of folk, classical and jazz music change dramatically in the last few years. Thanks to looping and effects pedals solo vocalists and musicians suddenly find themselves with the ability to create majestic soundscapes without the need of a full band or even a wide range of instruments. Of all the instruments that seems to have benefited from this technological renaissance it’s the humble violin that has risen to prominence thanks to the likes of Andrew Bird, Owen Pallett and Colm Mac Con Iomaire – and now we can add another name to that list: Wollongong’s Jane Aubourg.
Jane Aubourg is not a folk artist but she sits very easily under the auspice of the folk scene. Her music is expansive, grandiose and sublime drawing generously from influences in soundtrack, classical, jazz and traditional music. While some artists who utilise looping and effect pedals become slaves to their technology, Aubourg’s compositions and arrangements are intricate, almost orchestral soundscapes that set her above her contempoaries and completely enrapture her audience.
Choosing a brightly coloured electric violin over the the traditional instrument (the above photo aside) Aubourg’s on stage persona is charismatic, personable and immediately likable. She takes time to connect to her audience both through her music and through her banter when she could well be focusing her efforts on her tools. Aubourg is very obviously classically trained and arrangements of classical pieces make up a large part of her repertoire, however she goes beyond convention and tradition giving her music a contemporary edge that folk, indie and pop audiences will very much connect to.
Jane Aubourg released her debut album Ostinato in 2009 and is currently working on her follow up Looking for Blue. She is also honing her skills at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and regularly gigging around the NSW capital and beyond. If you head to her web site and sign up to Aubourg’s mailing list you can download her fantastic version of “Scaborough Fair” which she has titled “Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme”.
Evan Hughes
For more of Evan Hughes’ music reviews, check out Timber and Steel