I was just interviewed for HONKY TONK ANGELS blog. Below are my answers to their 7 questions for songwriters. Read my answers as well as fellow "Slicker Chickers" Annie Chadwick & Linda Dwyer on Honky Tonk Angels' blog: http://honkytonkangels.blogspot.com/2010/12/ny-city-slickers-answer-seven-questions.html
1. What motivates you to write?
What excites me most about writing is the ability to imagine and create a world. I love the challenge of creating a story of characters that can engage people in the span of 3-5 minutes. I am a very passionate person and I guess what motivates me is the opportunity to channel that energy into song.
2. Who is the greatest unknown influence on your music?
Honestly, my parents (my dad's gonna get all mushy when he reads this). I was brought up in such a musical household and was encouraged from day one to create. I learned how to be a storyteller by observing my mom. I have never seen anyone communicate through song the way she does. My dad is one of the most brilliant musicians I know. Give him an instrument and he'll learn how to play it. Watching him write and arrange music over the years has taught me how to construct a song and give it some "umph." Key changes, jazz chords, gospel choirs singing a rock opera - everything my dad does has an element of theatrics and I think people respond to that. I know I do. Being in a band with my parents has and continues to be the most amazing experience. I am so lucky.
3. What is your most closeted, secret, guilty and humiliating musical pleasure?
Guilty & humiliating pleasure.....hmmm....I don't know if it's a pleasure but one embarrassing thing I do is act out all of my songs in a mirror at home. I pretend it's my music video or I'm on stage and I get really into it. I like to live in the world of the song. I've done this since I was a little girl and would act out pop songs in reflective surfaces. It's very funny when caught in the moment.
4. What established artist made you want to write songs, and why?
Abigail Washburn. The songs she creates on the banjo and with her voice are so inspiring. She has created a unique sound, borrowing from different cultures. In my eyes, she elevates the banjo to a high class instrument. Her songs are simple, yet complex and her storytelling is so vivid. When I heard her first CD, I knew then and there that that's what I wanted to do - Play the banjo and perform my own songs. I'm still working on the banjo part, but I have found a home in writing music.
5. Advice for just-starting songwriters?
Don't judge a single thing that you write, no matter how silly or stupid it sounds. You never know where it might lead you. There is no "right" way to compose a song. Do what works for you. And write, write, write, all the time!
6. Why country?
Growing up in NYC, the two genres I was exposed to were Country & Musical Theatre. Country music lends itself to story telling almost more than any other genre, and I love that. Also you can have so much fun with country. You don't have to take yourself too seriously. Some of the best bad lyrics are in country songs, and they are amazing! Lastly, the country music that I like most has a feeling of history. I love the rich background of country music and all the different genres that it has crossed over.
7. Favorite backwoods expression?
"Tibbies on the Drumstick!"
