Q&A with New Zealand Singer-Songwriter – GIN WIGMORE – Talks Channeling Bonnie & Clyde In New Video “Written In The Water” and More!

Gin Wigmore will release her new album Blood To Bone through Island Records on August 28, 2015. The new album – which debuted at #1 last week upon its release in Wigmore’s native New Zealand– showcases an artist at the top of her game and in control of her destiny.

Recorded in Los Angeles with Charlie Andrew (Alt-J), Joakim Ahlund (Chrissie Hynde) and songwriter/producer Stuart Crichton, Blood To Bone  sees Wigmore stepping away from her comfort zone and taking on the role of co-producer for the first time.

It’s an album of many firsts. In addition to co-producing, Wigmore steps behind the piano, stretches her distinctively gravelly voice into falsetto, and manages all the backing vocals throughout, delving into a darker, grittier sound for her third studio album.

“The whole idea for this album was to write songs that pushed me beyond my comfort zone,” Wigmore explains. “There were so many genres of music that I was not ready to appreciate prior to making this album. It’s like a whole new part of my palette and appetite for music opened up before embarking on the writing of Blood To Bone.”

The new tone reflects tumultuous changes in Wigmore’s personal life which ultimately led to her newfound contentment: the artist moved to Los Angeles after a split from her partner in Australia and subsequently married Jason Butler, frontman of the post-hardcore band Letive during the writing of this record. The duo stars in not-one-but-two videos for the album’s lead single “Written In The Water.”

Watch/share the first video revealed for “Written in the Water” (Die Regardless Video) in which Wigmore and Butler take on the role of a backwoods Bonnie and Clyde on the run from a vengeful local sheriff – and stay tuned for the second installment of the video, which will be revealed soon.

Blood To Bone follows 2013’s Gravel & Wine, which spawned hit singles including ‘Man Like That’, synced to a Skyfall-themed Heineken advertisement, in which Gin appeared alongside Daniel Craig’s James Bond and Wigmore’s 2009 debut album Holy Smoke. Both albums reached #1 and multi-platinum status back home in New Zealand.

All Access Music writer, Nicole DeRosa got to catch up with the singer just before the release of her new album. Read more in their interview below.

Hi Gin! How are you today? What’s on the agenda today besides our interview?

I’m really well, thank you. The plan for today is to play a show in Sydney. First one in a LONG time so feeling pretty excited to play tonight.

Gin, you’re from Auckland, New Zealand is that right? Is that still considered home base for you?

That is correct, I was born and raised in Auckland, New Zealand. I left NZ around age 17, so my home has moved several times since then. But, my mum and sister live in Auckland still, so I always go back at least once a year to be with family which is a real treat.

How’s the music scene over there in Auckland?

From my experience, I think it is brilliant. There are some really awesome venues to play and a there is a huge amount of respect and appreciation for the arts as a whole from New Zealanders, which is wonderful to be a part of.

For those that are not familiar with you and your music, how did you get your start? Who or what was the catalyst for you to want to live the life of a musical gypsy? Ha, musical gypsy.

I like that. I would say the most responsible catalyst for my life as a musician would be down to the ISC award that I managed to win at 17 years old. It bought attention to my music on a world scale and opened my mind to the seed of an idea that maybe I could do music for a living.

You have toured with so many talented artists including John Mellencamp and Sheryl Crow. And you had the pleasure of recording with The Cardinals of Ryan Adams & the Cardinals on your debut album. Who would you love to collaborate and tour with next? Who is on your dream list?

Yes, I have been incredibly fortunate in that respect to have grown up around so any talented musicians. I would say a dream collaboration would be with an artist called, Woodkid.I feel we could create something pretty epic together. He completely blew my mind when I saw him play and I just want to be pals with him if nothing else!

As for touring, I would love to go out on a world tour with Band Of Skulls. They are such a rad band, decent rock n roll music which I think is something of a dying breed these days. So, I would love to be in that world for a while.

Who have been your inspirations growing up that also inspire you today?

I listened to a big variety of music growing up as I would play my parents albums. They had an eclectic taste in music, which explains my similar desire for diversity with musical genres. It ranged from Edith Piaf to Simon & Garfunkel and everything in between.

Today I am inspired by honesty in artists. Musicians you can hear are giving all their heart and soul to the music they are making or playing. That to me can lie within a whole range of artists but is immediately identifiable when present.

What did you learn between your albums, Holy Smoke (2009) and Gravel & Wine (2011) and playing live, that you felt you wanted to infuse into your upcoming album, Blood to Bone?

Good question. 🙂 I learned how over time and from album to album how important it was for me to not feel any constraints with the music I make. The more that I can experiment with things I have never done before the more creative and liberating it is for me.

I feel I really went in on that whole idea with Blood To Bone with the freedom to experiment, discover and try new things far away from what I was usually comfortable with. I was also very concious with this album to make sure it would be a fun one to play live. And so far, this album has been awesome to play live so that feels pretty satisfying to have done that at least.

What was the inspiration for your new single, “Written In The Water – Die Regardless”? Did you help come up with the treatment for the video as well? It looks like it was quite a crazy fun video to shoot! I understand you are a wee bit familiar with your costar…

I always come up with the initial concept for my music videos. I feel it should come from me, particularly as my songs always have a strong visual element when initially writing them. I then have a brilliant team of people that realize these concepts and help make them come to fruition.

The videos for the songs from Blood To Bone have been very full on so far. Heaps of pretty heavy duty stunts, including a struggling drowning scene – which became quite terrifying in the moment!

It was fun though, particularly having my gorgeous husband co-star alongside me. 🙂

Who is in your current playlist? What artists or bands are in current rotation for you?

Right now I am listening to “Hero” by Family of The Year. On repeat play for me right now is Band of Skulls, Tobias Jesso Jr. and Caribou.

What’s on tap next for you, Gin? What are you most excited about for this year?

Up next for me is touring. I’m excited about getting out to play for everyone again as much as I possibly can!

Learn more about GIN WIGMORE , including upcoming tour dates visit Gin’s Facebook page HERE .