Interview by Richard Cherry with Eva Jay for August 2006 issue of Nu Voice

1. What is "something big" and what does the name mean?

Well, Something Big is what everyone wants. I mean wouldn't we all would prefer to have "Something Big" happen in our lives? I could also tell you that SB is an 18 piece kazoo, violin & harmonium band, but I don't think you'd believe me so here is the truth...

2. Who are the members of the group?

The band is a collaborative effort among four musicians.
We are Kevin Bertness, piano
Steve Fowler, stand up bass
Nicky Garratt, guitar
& myself Eva Jay Fortune, vocals.
The name Something Big is the title of  a Bacharach-David tune which was a favorite of Nickys & unheard of by the rest of us. We liked the song & what the name may imply to anyone who hears it.  And don't you think it's rather funny?

3. Why the emphasis on Bacharach material?

One day Kevin & I got together to play some Beatle tunes because I had the book, a guitar, the piano & a night off. We wanted to hear these songs with a new twist. After a couple of months, we started thinking about adding other composers. Well, Bacharach & David have always been on the top of my list although almost begrudgingly so. Who wants to admit that  one of there favorite songs is
" Wives & Lovers" ?
Now Kevin & I began to feel we wanted to add more sound so I asked my serious musician friend & bass man Steve if he would like to come over & play some Beatle & Bacharach tunes with us.  He wasn't too excited by the prospect but kindly obliged & over a few weeks he was seduced & was bringing in new songs for us to try. An old friend heard about our new endevor & said he knew the biggest Bacharach-David fan in the world who happened to not only play guitar but lived almost next door. That person would be Nicky who has a wealth of obscure  B/D songs in his collection & very good taste.
The emphasis on B/D material would be because they are such an interesting combination of simple & complex . They are the great example of sublime pop . Catchy but they always keeping your interest with great melody & additional bar .  A lovely unpredictability.
We have added a number of other writers to our list of favorites  such as Harry Nilsson, Donovan, Brian Wilson,  John Sebastian, John Coltrane,  Pharoah Sanders.

4. What are your major venues?

Our major venue currently is Caffe di Vino in Sausalito which is like a second home to us but we are always looking to expand our audience, add new venues, larger stages & special events . We would love to be a part of the Sausalito Summer  Music evenings .

5. Any recordings? CDs?

Something Big does have a music available on EMUSIC. The collection is called "Easy Reading".
We are looking forward to recording some of the more recent additions. Speaking for myself,  I would love to record two obscure Beatle songs," Step Inside Love" &" It's For You."
If anyone would like a  cd, you could contact us through www.chamberpoprecords.com

6. Some info on your life outside of music (if you care to divulge)

All of us love playing music together & making these great songs our own. We really enjoy working up arrangements that suit all of us because we are a rather unique collection of  musicians. Steve plays with big bands & jazz trios, Nicky , Kevin & I are all songwriters & have our own original music projects in the works.  I have my original band , The Eva Jay Fortune Band . I have two
CD.s available, that info is on our web site, so check that out.

7. Your personal influences in your singing.

So many influences !   I love singers & so many of them must have seeped into my style.
I  have always loved Dusty Springfield, Paul Mc Cartney, Laura Nyro, Neil Finn, Marrianne Faithfull. This list could continue for a whole page so I will leave it for now.

8. Do have any particular goals outside of having fun entertaining people?

I would be very happy to really touch people with the music that I sing in what ever venue we  play.  As a  band , we would not be happy if we were just going through the motions. Remember, "Something Big" is serious FUN !  This is why people who stop & listen for a moment get what we are about.   Our lofty goal would be to grab as many people as possible & seduce them with our versions of music that we love.