Family members: Gina Lapsley

Following the absolutely gorgeous, and delicate, set that Gina did for Balearic Breakfast, I had to know more about her views on Music... Join us for a nice chinwag!

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1) Hello, Gina, thank you so much for joining us here! You did quite an astounding mix for the show recently. Can you share with us how you worked on it and what you wanted to convey through the songs you chose?

It was December and cold. I felt like hibernating and wanted something very gentle and soothing, but connected to where I live and who I am. I had heard Anna Phoebe in Margate shortly before, and as she lives in Deal, I thought it would be a personal choice. The track by Public Service Broadcasting felt to me also to have a Kentish link – It is from The Last Flight and is the story of Amelia Earhart's last flight before she disappeared. There is a statue in Herne Bay, near where I live, for another famous aviator, who also disappeared over water –  Amy Johnson.

Somehow, the sea united those pioneering women in my head. It's how I join those musical dots. I have been soothed by Bill Laswell's version of The Heathen a lot this past year, so I wanted to include that one too. The rest was just stuff I have enjoyed listening to and felt right.

2) Generally speaking, what is your relationship to music? How do you listen to it? How do you engage with it? 

I hear lyrics all the time – songs tell my life story better than anything. I listen to the radio as soon as I get up. I listen to music on my phone, on earbuds, on the way to work. I dance to it at weekends, and I go to live events during the week. It is a big part of my life.

I'm off to listen to Wolfgang Flur at the Jazz Cafe as I write this, while listening to Wooden Shjips on my earbuds on the train up to London!

3) If you were left on a lonely island, and if you were to pick up 3 albums to listen to, which ones would you choose and why?

Duh! George Harrison – All Things Must Pass, James Murphy and Pat Mahoney –Fabriclive 36 (for dancing), Pink Floyd – DSOM (obviously played on a top-end desert island hifi 😉).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bMSM8ZZtpXU&list=RDbMSM8ZZtpXU&start_radio=1

4) Some people say that "Writing about music is like dancing about architecture" What is your take on that?

Music is very personal –  the same piece can evoke different feelings in different people at different times. I think reviews are also subjective. They're a good starting point, but never the full answer. Feelings go beyond words –  listen to Sofia Kourtesis, 'How Music Makes You Feel Better'.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-7lRutghlQ

5) I know it's a hard question, but could you share with us two/three memories associated with Balearic Breakfast? What does Balearic Breakfast mean to you?

I like the inclusive nature of the show, and the fact that people from so many different parts of the world tune in at the same time. It has kept me sane and connected through some turbulent times. Love the show and the compilations!