Claire Venn & Rick North
Claire Venn & Rick North
getting to know claire & rick Claire Venn and Rick North started dating and then their music just sort of evolved from there. Claire started playing piano at high school and just continued ever since. Rick is a self taught drummer. Claire writes the songs and gets her inspiration from life. “I’m not good at telling stories so just use things that happen in my life.�
Rick North
Claire Venn performing at the Richmond Hill Music Festival 2014.
What kind of gigs do you play and how often?
Claire: I’m a full time musician. It’s my job so I gig three to seven times a week. Every week is different - every season is different. Rick has a normal job so it depends on the type of gig whether he plays or not. If it’s a coffee shop gig, then obviously he can’t play on the drums but gigs like the Richmond Hill festival are amazing to be able to play together.
What is it like being a musician in Port Elizabeth?
Awesome! I’m incredibly proud to be a Port Elizabeth musician. There’s a lot of talent in PE which people outside of PE don’t seem to think. We’re all friends – the musicians in PE all know each other and are friends outside of the music business and see each other all the time. There’s no backstabbing and stealing gigs. We all share and cover for each other and help each other out.
What do you think of the local music scene?
It’s very limited. Full time gigging musicians have their certain places where they play and for the rest there’s Pool City. It’s very limited for the more alternative bands compared to the more corporate sort of bands. As a musician, you can’t make money if you don’t do corporate events – you can’t just play for fun, because people won’t pay for that, and that’s the sad thing about it. It’s actually amazing that so many of us are able to make a living out of music. And then functions like the Richmond Hill Music Festival are absolutely amazingbands that are really talented get exposure and people get to see what Port Elizabeth has to offer!
“If I could collaborate with any artist, dead or alive, it would either have to be Eddi Vedder or Dave Grohl. Or both! That would be amazing!� Claire is currently busy with a music video and has big plans for the future. She is planning to have an album out by the end of the year and will also be touring through South Africa in December with Rick, gigging every day.
bravery by claire venn
I step inside my sanctuary, A place that’s mine alone. A draw the blinds, I push the world aside, I wanna leave this far behind. I climb into my bed at night, Pull the sheets right over my head. I pray for sleep, for certain release, Lay beside me, my angel of peace. I knew before that I shouldn’t run, Now I know for sure I shouldn’t hide... But I’m still too weak And I’m too afraid So I’ll lie a little longer Till I get brave Yes I’ll lie here just a little longer.... ...Till I get brave Out there, out there, The world is so lonely I am scared but no one cares Out there the world is so scary I’ll fall between the cracks This world it drives me crazy It’s just so damn scary But I’m working on my bravery and I’ll soldier on... Yes, I’m working on my Bravery and I’ll soldier on....
Claire Venn & Rick North performing at the Richmond Hill Music Festival 2014.
All Images: Š Karla Newton Photography 2014 With special thanks to Claire Venn & Rick North
Karla Newton is a photographer based in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. She specialises in portraiture and sport photography.
www.karlanewtonphotography.com clairevenn.music@gmail.com