HAVE you visited or performed in Ireland before?
Many times, but just myself, not as 'Sam Beam and Jesca Hoop'. This will be fun, fun, fun. I love playing for Irish audiences.
What can we expect at the Open House Festival gig in Bangor?
The emphasis is on harmonies and poetry. All of the songs are based on the universal theme of love.
The hope is we will present refreshed and enlivened perspectives on the subject. A deep sweetness, with a crumble of salt on top.
How is life on the road performing alongside Sam following your collaboration on Love Letter for Fire?
I feel very fortunate to be combining creative forces with a soul like Sam Beam. This project is relaxing compared to my solo work. It is nice to have someone to share the responsibility of fronting a stage.
In between songs, who knows what might be said? I enjoy the banter, we like to have a laugh and singing these duets is just a lovely thing to do.
You've been described as having 'musical magnetism'. Why do you think you work so well together?
We seem to run on the same kinds of fuel. He and I are like minded and made fast friends. I think that is easy when you have music as a common language.
Did Sam ever tell you why he wanted to write and sing with you?
He found a song of mine called Moon Rock Needle. It's about daydreaming of the food in your friends refrigerator and saying to them "you got food at your house, food at your house, lets go to your house".
Apparently he had always been looking for someone that ridiculous to write with. True story.
Were you a fan of Iron & Wire before working together?
No doubt about it. I would listen to Iron & Wine records mainly when I was cleaning the house. The Creek Drank The Cradle is good for purging closets.
Having very much worked independently before this, were you apprehensive about opening yourself up and compromise?
My primary fear was that through compromise I may not be able to get behind the music in true belief. The last thing I wanted was to write stock love songs.
For that reason I wrote from a place of vulnerability, verging on foolishness, in order to reach authentic raw expressions that he and I would eventually develop together into what feels like new language.
I was willing to hear things in a new way and to let my ideas shift with Sam's influence. That part of compromise came with great reward.
Was it important to you to understand the meaning behind each other's lyrics?
It was helpful from time to time, but not necessary. We used words like meaningful shapes – to fit together, almost visually, like a puzzle you can construct and perceive in a multitude of ways.
What's your favourite song to perform from the album?
Know The Wild That Wants You, Bright Lights And Goodbyes, We Two Are A Moon, Midas Tongue, Valley Clouds, Every Songbird Says, Soft Place to Land, One Way to Pray, Chalk It Up To Chi, Lamb You Lost, Sailor to Siren, Kiss Me Quick. Did I leave any out?!
Has the collaboration made you a stronger songwriter and independent artist and will it leave its mark on your solo work?
I do hope so. I believe that I learned a lot through this process with Sam – in writing, studio and stage.
Have you started planning what's next?
I've made a record with a young chap named Blake Mills, which is set for release early 2017. So we'll be touring throughout 2017 – very exciting.
Have you any other artists you would like to collaborate with in the future?
Lisa Hannigan. I’m not just saying that because I’m in Ireland. I saw her for the first time at the Edmonton Folk Festival. I found her voice and songs simply wonderful.
:: Sam Beam (Iron & Wine) and Jesca Hoop play Bangor's Marine Court Hotel on Monday August 29. For tickets and full programme details visit Openhousefestival.com.
