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Faye Treacy

Trombonist, writer and broadcaster

Tell us a little about yourself I’m a freelance trombonist, writer and broadcaster. When I’m not doing those things, you’ll find me in the comedy clubs talking about your dad.

Who or what has most influenced you and your career path? Oh, I like doing my own thing, but I guess Victoria Wood, Bo Burnham, Tim Minchin. I find the amount of work they’ve created across the board, from writing to performing, inspiring.

What do you enjoy most about being a musician? Playing with other people. It’s exciting, isn’t it, when you connect and lock in as a band? The second thing is the people. I like musicians. Usually, the funniest people I know. I like the straight-upness and awkwardness of musicians. A distinct breed of people. Characters basically.

What is your most outstanding achievement to date? I like the quote, ‘a jack of all trades is a master of none, but oftentimes better than a master of one’. So I take pride in working across the board.

My most outstanding achievement to date is probably my last script. The more you write, the stronger you get.

What else do you want to achieve in your career? I want to keep writing. I want to create a show where people also comment on what a banging soundtrack it had. Obviously, I’d love my own chat show with a house band one day, but I just want to keep working and enjoying the process, really. Oh, and I want to make a podcast. That has weekly three-hour episodes. That never ends, basically. You know the ones. How has the pandemic affected your work (positively or negatively)? Well, like everyone else, I started out screwed. Then I busied myself with writing and piano practice over the lockdowns. Then I said YES to everything when we opened up for a whole year and gigged an insane amount. The pandemic taught me not to take work for granted, but while everyone else put out constant content, I was pretty happy to just climb a tree. We need a balance.

What piece of advice has helped you most in your career? You have to enjoy the art of practice. You’ll burn out if you’re always aiming for the end goal. Always look back in your diary at the end of the year rather than forward. Remind yourself of all the work that comes in. Enjoy it. You chose to do this.

Is there an artist or musician that you are really enjoying listening to? Loved the new Kendrick Lamar album. I thought the new Little Simz album was excellent. Liked the odd orchestral arrangements. Don’t Problem released an excellent EP. Loving Emma-Jean Thackray, Self Esteem, Kae Tempest. As I write my show, I often stay up with Tom Waits in the background. I like the storytelling.

What are your plans for the rest of the year? I’m off to the Edinburgh Fringe with a new show called ‘Where’s Your Head At?’ I’ve got a couple of writing projects in development. I’m back on tour with some of the bands I play in from September. So, lots to be keeping me busy.

Finally, what does your ISM membership mean to you? One less thing to worry about when I’m gigging about the place. It’s nice to be part of a community and know I’m covered. Also could you imagine comedians organising one of these?

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