NAU NUA: FLITCRAFT

An interview by Melz Durston

Aurora, Goddess of Dawn, gathered the sunlight and flew across the sky. Leaving silver trails in her wake. She, immortalised on ceilings, in mansions, captured on an island – or so the story goes. And on that island, a girl did find, these hidden songs, forgotten lyrics and lines. Held in the breeze, a vapour no one can see – they flooded her with music – the sweetest, bravest sounds.

Across the ocean, there lived a man. Born under a Greek star, his name was Manolis. And so they lived, worlds apart – separated by waters -- Aurora’s daughter. Until one day, fates collided, tides divided. The songs long forgotten, gathered up in histories – on the honeysuckle breeze…

Manolis returned to Greece, but the songs would give him no peace. Here, he began his true tales.

Flitcraft evolved, and the words that lost their voice, were awakened at dawn as their story began.

Jessica Kilroy found herself in a bar in Greece. She and Manolis met through chance but knew it was a new dawn that brought them that very moment. Breathing life into those songs, the tale began.

“I met Manolis in 2010 at one of my shows in Greece. Shortly after we met, we played O My Blackbird together at Vassili’s bar in Athens. The beauty of the landscapes and story painted through Manolis’ lyrics moved me, and his quiet confidence and masterful mandolin playing brought me comfort throughout the performance. We both felt a musical connection right away and continued to collaborate from then on.” Jessica begins.

Jessica travelled back and forth between Montana and Greece for the next two years and finally finished recording with Manolis when he came to Montana in the spring of 2012.

Jessica was born in Idaho and grew up in Montana listening to the likes of Lou Reed, Linda Perhacs, David Bowie and her Father’s record collection which included old blues albums, as well as a fair sprinkling of Joni Mitchell. Tanya Donelly was also a much listened to songwriter, as Jessica recalls:

“Tanya’s voice has a unique and captivating quality.”

Jessica and Tanya worked together on this collection of songs – an honour for both musicians:

“Tanya has been one of my favourite singer-songwriters since I first discovered her music as an orange-haired teenager searching for sincerity in art and music. It was an honour to work on this album with her.” Jessica says.

True Tales was originally sung by Tanya. Manolis actually played mandolin on her own song, Cygnet Song – a song, amongst others Manolis recorded in Boston, long since pushed aside since Manolis worked with Mark Eitzel’s band on his 2001 album The Ugly American (a series of reinterpretations of American Music Club songs). It was a through a mutual friend, Paul Stinson, that Manolis was introduced to Tanya – and the trio established itself.

Manolis says of his Flitcraft project with Jessica contributing vocals:

“Most of the tracks were originally in Greek and then put into English by Tanya, Mark and other friends. The reinvention of the past I would say… It’s not so much inspiration as perseverance – you have to keep on trying until something comes up.”

Boston itself, left its mark on Manolis, and so, the songs within the Flitcraft record, are a reflection of these experiences.

Jessica’s own songwriting craft began over a decade ago, officially, when she was asked by Skip Ewing, to sing at the Bluebird Café in Nashville – Skip described her voice as being akin to a twenty first century Emmylou Harris.

Alongside music, other passions in Jessica’s life include rock climbing – something that, much like performing on stage, involves a great degree of focus and self belief:

“Climbing and performing are similar in the way that both require preparation, patience and risk. One technique I use for both climbing and performing, I learned from a vocal coach at the Telluride Bluegrass Festival’s Troubadour competition. She explained how to control stage fright by overriding nervous tension with muscle contractions. Basically you tense up super tight, then release, and repeat a few times. It works for nervousness before climbing as well.” Jessica explains.

Working with Manolis has enabled Jessica to develop as a vocalist as well as in spiritual growth:

“Manolis encouraged me to sing at the top of my vocal range. I was sure my voice would crack but I pushed myself and quickly realised I have a much higher range than I thought. Working with Manolis has enriched my own songwriting by helping me push past old limits in vocal technique as well as writing.”

Jessica continues:

“He doesn’t impose limits on his art. He has a unique way of looking at life and expresses this eloquently through music and lyrics.”

Perhaps, it is when we are open to the magic that floods the spaces between us, that we find new dawns awakening:

“Our connection began with a simple song and gave way to an amazing collaboration and lifelong friendship. I am grateful to have met Manolis in that cozy little bar in Athens.” Jessica remembers.

It seems that these songs have provided both artists with a cathartic outlet. For Manolis, he can close the lid of the jar that lay opened for the past many years. For Jessica, she too, has been able to gain new perspective on her own life:

“Red Kite rang true for me, especially at the time of recording. I was going through a breakup and in the midst of a betrayed and broken heart. It was difficult to get through the song without reliving the pain over and over again. Although I can still hear the struggle of that sadness in the recording, it feels very different now, listening to it with a happy heart and a new perspective.”

A couple of songs on the album are reworkings of William Blake poems – including The Little Boy Lost & Found, which featured Haris Michailidis on guitar. Other songs include O My Blackbird, which was composed alongside Manolis, Jessica and Bessie Haikali, with Nalyssa Green on the theremin. Seven of the songs on the album are revised versions of the originals, whilst there are four new, original tracks.

Despite the beautiful grace and lightness of touch, across this collection of songs, there is an underlying darkness that can be felt as subtly as the memories and pain lying within each of us:

“Tailspin spoke strongly to me in its haunting truth.” Jessica recalls.

Photo by Yiannis Mitroudis

“I would rather linger here in the dark, where I can see things just as they are.”

“I believe it’s a place most people have been at least once before.” Jessica empathises.

Vocals were recorded at Glyfada in Greece, and in a wooden cabin, in Montana. Talking of Manolis’ production skills of the Flitcraft album, Jessica said:

“He is a talented producer and knew exactly what each song needed. I was able to experience the full spectrum of emotions in living out each song completely. Manolis encouraged me to do just that.”

What seemed like the end, was only the beginning. Welcome to the dawn.

Flitcraft will be touring in Europe next Fall. You can find out more here:
https://www.facebook.com/flitcraftmusic

Jessica Kilroy | Solo interview here

An interview by Melz Durston

Photos by Yiannis Mitroudis courtesy of Flitcraft