This article is an instalment of the Songcards Spotlight series where we interview the humans that make it all possible. We recommend you start by clicking the play button above and reading whilst enjoying the artist's music
Who is Antiquity?
That’s a good question. I often ask myself the same thing. At the moment, Dan Eccelstone, Simone Silvestroni, Justine J Hall, Diane Lotny, Mark Mancini and myself, Gerald Duchene. There are a dozen other players who do occasionally help out with tracks. But that is the heart of the group.
What is your origin story?
Origin story goes back to 1991 in New York. I did not want to go out on the road any longer and was trying to put together a local act. I just wasn’t connecting with the right people until I met Mark Mancini, a regular keyboardist on the New York scene. He was very connected and he said to me one day, man, I know this woman who has got some voice, you should come and listen to her. After listening to her, we hooked up and never looked back. Diane Lotny and I have been working ever since.
We had some really solid years playing clubs in NY like The Ear Inn, Fat Tuesdays and the Bitter End. Our focus then shifted and then we started recording. My interest gravitated to recording and so we started changing our focus to a studio centric band, similar to Steely Dan. That was 34 years ago. Originally, we were named The Project, in reference to working mostly in the studio. We changed the name to Antiquity because another group was using the same name and it was conflicting.
When did you realise you wanted to make music?
I knew I wanted to go into music when I was five years old. I come from a musical family so it wasn't a big leap of faith. I’ve never known anything else, it's sort of like a genetic curse.
Who are your long-standing influences?
Some of my long standing influences are mostly jazz cats. Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Cannonball Adderly, Johnny Hodges and The Duke. Some of my modern day influences are Peter Gabriel, Donald Fagen, Bryan Ferry, Joe Henry, John Martyn, Robbie Robertson and Tom Waits.
What’s the most valuable lesson you’ve learned as a musician?
I would have to say the most valuable thing I've learned as a musician is that there are no rules once you learn the rules. Especially when it comes to songwriting.
If you want to be a good musician and songwriter, you have to throw away the rules at times. Most musicians just cannot or will not do that because it makes them uncomfortable but being uncomfortable is what being an artist is all about. Pablo Picasso once said, it took him all his life to paint like a child. He only attained that after he just let go of his inhibitions.
What are you working on at the moment?
I just work on singles these days and I’ve slipped back into my jazz mode. In search of the ultimate jazz/rock crossover tune.
What would you tell your younger self?
Just keep looking forward. I might tell him to get another profession just in case. But one thing I would definitely tell my younger self, you may only get one moment of madness, don't waste it.
Which band or artist are you really excited about at the moment?
I’m a big fan of London Grammar. I find her voice very haunting and unique. I Listen to a lot of Tom McRae, Elbow and Florence and The Machine who I really think is a force.
Where can people find your music?
On most streaming platforms but obviously on Songcards and Bandcamp but ive lessened out presence on Spotify as it no longer serves a purpose
What’s next for Antiquity?
That is a little unclear but I'm obsessed about making more videos. I really love the way you can express your message marrying music and visuals. Outside of that, I don’t think too much about the future.
