Who is Jo Fabro of The Fabulous Botting Flower?
I am the “Fabulous” part of our name, and the other 2 members are the botting and flower parts. I am a singer and songwriter from Sydney and I also teach contemporary singing.
What would you do differently from what you do now?
I honestly have no idea. This is all I have ever wanted to do… Maybe a chef?
Who inspires you and why?
My band mates. It is the most rewarding and inspiring thing to play music with other people, to have a conversation without using words. I always feel so lucky to have musicians of their caliber who want to play my music.
What would you do to make a difference in the world?
I think that the arts are an important avenue for social change. We try to talk about things that are happening, will happen, have happened. To bring discussions to the forefront. But obviously (Covid19 aside) the environment feels like the most pressing issue facing us.
Favourite holiday destination and why?
Japan, specifically Tokyo – I love the people, the food and just the way that it is so different from anything in Australia.
When friends come to town, what attraction would you take them to, and why?
You can’t beat Sydney Harbour. It is the most beautiful thing.
What are you currently reading?
I am re-reading Sense and Sensibility, and also an awesome book by Australian author Jo Thornely – It’s called Zealot, and it’s about cults.
What are you currently listening to?
So much: Pops Staples 2015 album, Don’t lose this, and also Ray Charles – when your lover has gone.
Happiness is?
Playing with my band, singing to an audience… Possibly with a glass of red wine.
What does the future hold for you?
It’s so hard to say. Everything feels so uncertain for the arts at the moment. There are hardly any gigs around and we’re grappling with when and if it is safe to open our teaching studios. I hope I am still playing and teaching. I am recording a new album at the moment – trying to use the spare time to be creative and to really take my time with the album… So hopefully I will keep producing music and be happy and healthy. Still able to have that conversation with my band and with the audience.
Jo will be performing with The Fabulous Botting Flower (including National Jazz Award – winning guitarist Aaron Flower) on Saturday 18 July 2020 (8.00pm) in Sydney Improvised Music Association’s (SIMA) new virtual online season Jazz: NOW-Wired, which airs bi-weekly from 18 July until the end of August. For more information and full program, visit: www.sima.org.au for details.
Image: Jo Fabro (supplied)