Posted: Sunday 21st September 2008

Eileen Rose is a singer-songwriter who hails from Boston, Massachusetts. A firm fixture of the live scene, Rose released her fifth album, At Our Tables, to great critical acclaim. The album was recently granted a re-release and now includes a bonus live disc.

We caught up with Eileen to talk about the record, her reasons for re-releasing it and to find out a bit more about her.

1. Tell us something about yourself that no one knows.

My first crush was on Spock. Still kind of have a thing for him, actually.

2. Tell us about your album 'At Our Tables'.

It's my fifth. I recorded it in Detroit with members of the Holy Wreck and lots of Detroit locals. It's becoming my most successful record - we have a new video for the single ($20 Shoes) which has gotten about 300,000 hits on YouTube so far and is still climbing. I think At Our Tables is a new level for me in terms of my singing and songwriting. And I'm very lucky in that I had a lot of great players contributing some stellar performances on it. I'm very proud of it.

3. Why did you decide to re-release the album with a bonus live disc?

The record first came out in March. I went on the road with The Holy Wreck which includes my nephew Nicholas Ward on bass and also, from Nashville, our incredible guitarist, Rich Gilbert. We had such a fun and successful tour. I really love the way this band plays my songs. So, this past summer, we recorded them live on a soundstage at Longview Farm in Massachusetts. The record company sold out of the first pressing (which is great) so decided to include the bonus live CD with the next pressing. They've been selling great at the gigs so it looks like it was the right move.

4. What's your favourite song on the record and why?

Oh, tough question. That's like asking a mom to pick her favorite kid. I do love to play I'm The Only One and I am particularly proud of that one. I think I managed to say exactly what I wanted to in the lyrics. I don't always manage to do that but it's very satisfying when I do. I enjoy playing this song live. My nephew plays piano so beautifully on it and Rich plays pedal steel. It's a new version of the song that's just as moving as the recorded version. I think that's the sign of a well written song. I hope it is.

5. How important is breaking the UK to you?

Breaking anywhere is important to me. Trying to sustain a living as a musician is incredibly difficult and a bit of security would be great. But I do have a soft spot for this country having lived here for 12 years. I also have a lot of respect for UK music fans. They don't mind being challenged and tend to think for themselves. They also have no qualms about letting you know when you're getting it wrong so, if I'm getting it right here then I've met a tough challenge.

6. What can UK fans expect to see you live?

Well, as is my way, there's a lot of variety in the material. Rock songs, ballads, country, moody, humor...you know. We play songs from all my records but I've also got half a dozen brand new ones that are going down a storm. And Rich Gilbert is an absolute force on guitar. He really does blow the room away with his solos - every night, without fail. I'm really excited about the reaction this band is getting. It's a new level for me in many ways.

7. What's your favourite aspect of being a musician?

The music itself of course. I don't like to think about what a head case I'd be (even more so than I am) if I wasn't writing songs. But the travel - new places, new people - is a really important part of it for me.

8. Who were your influences growing up?

My eldest brother Tony was the first person I ever knew, personally, to play guitar and write songs. He was a big Sebastion fan. I think watching him sit on the porch, smoke cigarettes and play songs probably gave me the bug. Like everyone else, musically, I went through lots of musical phases - from pop songs, to disco, to funk to UK new wave bands. But I'm sure I was influenced by more traditional, classic songwriting without even knowing it. My mother played a lot of country music and Irish music around the house. But also a lot music from the Italian Crooners - Sinatra, Dean Martin, Al Martino. This all got under my skin, I'm sure.

9. What's on your iPod at the moment?

I don't own an iPod. Yes, I know...

10. What are your plans for the future?

For the next two months...sit in a van by day, play songs by night. I hope to record a new album early in the winter. Then most likely be out on the road again shortly after.