‘Music with a message’

DURING our interview, after finding out my love for the singer Nina Simone, Eloise Fabbri said: ‘Well, that’s it, she was classically trained. You can hear it in her playing.’

Simone studied classical piano at the Juilliard School in New York City, but left early when she ran out of money, turning her interest to jazz, blues and folk music.

Born in Guernsey, Eloise left to study opera singing in Birmingham, where she lived for seven years. Finding that, post-grad, singing opera was an expensive career to maintain, her love of jazz and soul took her on a different route.

‘I felt that I had a lot to say for myself, but in a different way. I’ve always been really interested in jazz and soul, the big divas, those voices. I like music to explode.’

And now that explosion is about to be released next week as Eloise, accompanied by a collective of friends and musicians, celebrates the release of her debut single, Beauty.

‘The single was recorded a year ago, in Birmingham, with just me and a producer, who’s a multi-instrumentalist. I needed to know when the time was right to release it.’

While back in Guernsey Eloise found out about Guernsey Mind’s All of Me campaign.

‘I went to the Market and saw Tiffany Anna Art’s exhibition, which was all about body image and how we see ourselves, and realised that it tied in with Beauty. So I thought I might as well try to get the single out and raise money and awareness of Guernsey Mind and the great educational resources they provide.

‘The song was inspired by my sister. I like to write music with a message. It’s about how society pressurises you to achieve perfection, that how you look is something that shouldn’t define you and that real beauty is unique and doesn’t fit into any box.’

The launch for Beauty is at Cooked at St James.

‘I have invited some great local musicians – Meave Carre, who is 14, singer-songwriter Mimi Helyar and Mickey Haimes – who will all do a set.’

There will then be an exclusive showing of the video that accompanies the single.

‘It was shot locally by Chris Denton, and Rosie Le Friec helped me produce it. It’s nice because it’s shot in local places.

‘The evening will finish with a live set from Charlie Holmes on bass, Kieran Smale on drums, Nick Coleman on guitar and me on keys and voice.’

Since she’s returned to Guernsey Eloise has found that her music is thriving more than ever.

‘With all the restrictions I couldn’t perform at all in the UK – and if you’re not London-based, it’s hard. It’s good to be home.’

• Eloise Fabbri launches her single, Beauty, on Wednesday 16 December at Cooked at St James. Doors/bar open at 7pm, live music from 8pm. Entry is free.