Sounds Crafty: Fleur Jack

Top: Fleur Jack
Above: With bandmates Josh and Jesus
Below: The Twitch on stage...

Check out other Sounds Crafty showcases on Felt:
• Ruth Carr, Minuit
• Flip Grater
• Fleur Jack, The Twitch
• Nathan King
• Hannah Curwood
• The Phoenix Foundation
• Hera

Winners of NZ Battle of the Bands in 2005, The Twitch have taken their post-punk rock and roll to Hong Kong and Melbourne, as well as numerous tours in New Zealand. Lead singer and bass player Fleur Jack also hosts the I.A.N show on Kiwi FM and writes for Tearaway magazine's Kiwi music section. She still finds time to knit up a storm and gets a kick out being able to say "Thanks! I made it." Fleur picked out some favourites on Felt and shared her philosophies on all things handmade.

Did you make stuff when you were a kid?
I used to fingerknit as a kid and I'd make octo-pussies with wool and wrap it around a book, chop and tie a head and then plait the legs and sew on eyes.

Are you crafty or do you make stuff now, and if so, what do you make?
These days I knit my friends baby blankets and make scarves, hats and gloves and bags etc.

Hot glue gun, needle and thread or hammer and nails?
I have a tool box with all of the above! Most recent addition is the hot glue gun, I bought it to attach colourful ribbons to an old lamp.

What's the best handmade thing you've ever been given?
My partner's mum is a knitter from way back and made me a bright orange handbag which I take everywhere!

Have you ever worn something you've made on stage or in public?
Yes, I bought a bunch of green felt fabric and green mesh and made a skirt to wear on stage/ only wore it once though. (It was held together with safety pins.) I've done the same with a piece of stretchy blue and orange fabric and wrapped it around like a boob-tube dress and held it together with safety pins for on-stage. The next day I made a few extra folds and wore it around Dunedin as a mini skirt.

Why would you buy something handmade?
Having made my own stuff, I know how much time and love goes into it.

What was the last handmade item you bought? Morgalicious Icecream... OMG YUM!

Do you think people should make more stuff (...instead of buying it)? I sure do, but I think the general population thinks why spend the time making it, if I can buy it cheap. Personally, I get a kick out of compliments about my clothes and things more if I can react with "Thanx, I made it!"

Is it really the thought that counts or do you think people who make gifts are just cheap? Take a pair of gloves for instance. Sure the wool may have only cost me $10 but I put a few hours labour into making them which is worth a lot more that wandering around a mall for 10 mins to spend $50. I'd prefer a gift that was made specially for me!

The Twitch are half way through recording a new album with Jimmy Christmas (D4 Luger Boa) producing. It's still a few months away, but worry not! While you're waiting for that to come out, you can tune in to the latest in Kiwi underground music on Fleur's show I.A.N. on Kiwi FM, 7 till 9 weeknights.