This week we interview Joanna Burns, from St Andrews a cappella group, The Accidentals.
The Accidentals, an all-female a cappella group, is one of the most popular (and my favourite) on campus. So, it is with considerable excitement that I am privileged to interview one of their members, Joanna Burns. The Accidentals are an innovative group, performing a variety of genres of music, from rap to folk. One punter at the Edinburgh Fringe even described their set as a ‘Hip Hop’! They delight in surprising their audience, by arranging songs that wouldn’t naturally be considered suitable for a cappella, for example Feel Good Inc., by The Gorillas. (Joanna raps in their arrangement!) The Accidentals have existed as a group for the last 20 years and their name stems from the musical concept of the ‘accidental’ – apparently it’s like a flat or a sharp or something. (You learn something new every day). The Accidentals have enjoyed considerable success in recent years, not only with their single Happy, but with incredible performances at the Scottish a cappella championships, and have even just returned from a sell-out show at the Edinburgh Fringe.
Joanna on the set of Happy.
Joanna is a 3rd year history and music student who, when not studying, plays a crucial role within the Accidentals band; she acts as both manager and treasurer. This involves keeping on top of emails, organising gigs and arranging the Edinburgh Fringe festival. Despite this, she modestly emphasises that the group is very collaborative and that everybody helps out. This a theme that continues throughout our interview: the comradery and friendship within the group, which is perhaps the key to their success. She reiterates that they don’t take themselves that seriously, but still get a lot out of the society. This year has seen the introduction of two new members, who ‘already feel like old friends.’ She cites her favourite composition as The Accidentals Black Eyed Peas medley, which was arranged for the Voice Festival back in March, because it was not only ‘fun to sing and perform’ (with awesome dancing), but also because ‘it gets such a good response from the audience’.
At the Voice festival.
Accidentals fans don’t have to wait long for exciting upcoming events: a Women for Women concert and a new album. Eak!! (Excited fan girl). The Women for Women concert ties two important strands of the Accidentals philosophy: Girl Power and Charitable work. They want to demonstrate that girls can perform just as well as the men, and embrace girl power songs in their sets. The concert, at the Barron theatre on the 15th and 16th November, is to showcase female talent of all variety: poets, singers, comedians, dancers, and, of course, with The Accidentals headlining. All profits will be donated to the Women for Women charity, an international charity supporting women in areas of conflict. We can also look forward to a 6 track EP in November, The Accidentals’ first album in six years! It will be available on both ITunes and Spotify, with apocalyptic mix of old the groups old classics and popular tunes (Go your Own Way by Fleetwood Mac is a beaut) as well as some new material. Watch this space!
Accidentals flyering at the Fringe.
When I brazenly probe into any rivalry with other a cappella groups, particularly with their dreamy male equivalent, The Other Guys, she reminds me that they are all officially under the umbrella of the St Andrews a cappella society. She continues to be extremely diplomatic, ‘There is no such rivalry to be speculated on. The Other Guys are very talented. I don’t spend much time with them outside of concerts, but they are all nice people and I wish them every success in the future.’ Indeed, Friday night will be the a cappella societies first big social so – if you are as big of a fan girl as I am – head down to the union, where they will most likely migrate to on Karaoke night. Joanna continues to reprimand me, adding that she realises that she is very lucky that St Andrews is the home of the Scottish a cappella scene, meaning that they can achieve a lot more together and support each other in all their endeavours.
After University, Joanna hopes to pursue a musical career, but wishes to switch from performing to a managerial role working for a recording company. She is especially passionate about Scottish music, describing it as her favourite genre, and envisions promoting Scottish music either in America or in London. To complement this aim, Joanna is doing a module which is all about preparing to be a professional musician. The course involves learning about the technical aspects of recording and as well as publicity: creating a website with professional headshots. (This sounds way too much fun to be an actual module).
Whilst not belting her heart out and stomping her feet for the Accidentals, Joanna enjoys classical singing. She enjoys the contrast with a cappella and the mix of contrasting styles. And on that note, she rushes off to a singing lesson, and hopefully to a successful musical career… Thank you for the music, Joanna.
Rapid fire round:
What’s your favourite song of all time? I have two: Best of you by Foo Fighters and Good Arms vs. Bad Arms by Frightened Rabbit.
What’s the most embarrassing song on your iPod? I have so many. I have both the soundtracks from High School Musical One and Three and listen to them way too much.
Which song makes you scream/annoys you? Anything by Cheryl Cole. She can’t sing – maybe Crazy, Stupid, Love.
Favourite place in St Andrews? West Sands. Or walking along the scores.
Dream dinner party guests? Maria Callas (opera singer), Winston Churchill and Beyoncé – I would question her about everything she does, she has so many contradictions.
Favourite place to eat/go out in St Andrews? Drouthy Neebors because I work there and it’s awesome. To eat, Maisha, because I love Indian food.
Dream Travel Destination? Botswana or South America.