Non-singer/songwriters ponder the art of music-making By Julie Powell Correspondent |
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| ''I ain't no singer-songwriter ...'' says Claire Kettlebelle. ''… I would rather just be called an artist.'' Artist she is. With her smooth and sultry voice, rhythmic guitar playing, additional percussion played simultaneously with her feet, and mastery of the musical saw, Campbell's expression far surpasses the acoustic emo-balladeer set often eclipsing other women in music. Her accomplice, Leslie Serpentfly, challenges all notions of a woman with a guitar. Closest to Michael Hedges with a little recent Ani DiFranco mixed in for common comparison, Serpentfly is a free spirit channeling expression through an instrument often relegated to chordal accompaniment. Both will be playing separate sets at Nuci's Space Friday night before embarking on a Southeastern tour. Kettlebelle grew up listening to country music and rock 'n' roll -- the Byrds, Flying Burrito Brothers -- and rhythm and blues like Otis Redding and James Brown. She also counts many local musicians among her influences. ''Man, I love 16 Horsepower, Taj Mahal, Leslie Serpentfly, Gary Kellam, Bain Mattox, Tom Waits, Danielle Howle, Greg Brown, Matt Lucas and a slew of other local artists,'' says Kettlebelle. ''My main influences are local folks who I get to play with all the time. I am so amazed that I have ended up among geniuses.'' She currently plays in Hope For A Golden Summer, which includes Deb Davis (formerly of the Josh Joplin group) on guitar/accordion/xylophone, Will Taylor on cello and Jamie Shephard on the baby drum kit/bells/bottles. Kettlebelle plays the slide guitar/accordion/singing saw/clarinet. ''All I can say is that I am happy that it has come to this,'' says Kettlebelle says of her current musical partners. ''Many people played in Hope For A Golden Summer before it whittled its own self down to the four of us, or five when my sister is in town.'' Neither Serpentfly or Kettlebelle pursues music as the highest point of living but as a part of the overall healing and hopeful expression that is life. However, in music, both have a few dreams. ''If I could do anything,'' says Helpert, ''I'd like to be in the Cirque du Soleil, with a touring stint with Bobby McFerron in there, too -- making the music and moving.'' ''Man, I'd probably play a Tom Waits song,'' adds Kettlebelle to the question of what one song she would cover. ''But I'd want to play it with Tom Waits. Me and Tom, yep.'' |