Q. At what age did you realize you wanted to become a music artist and why?
Because of my father’s intense passion for music (particularly The Doors), it has been a part of me my entire life. At the age of four, I would walk down 86th Street with my mother in Brooklyn, NY, with one hand holding on to my brother’s carriage and the other holding my first little Fisher Price boom-box blasting Michael Jackson’s, Thriller, album. At first, I would create dances and perform for my family and neighbors at parties and barbeques. Barely in kindergarten, I would tell my mother stories that she’d write down for me on index cards because I didn’t know how to write just yet. Those little flipbooks were my story. As time went on and the dancing and story writing flourished, I performed theatrically and traveled with my fifth grade class to other schools and took the stage acting in the original play, “Don’t Blame Mama.” The experience of writing and collaborating with one another to create this play was amazing. Later on, in junior high school, my television production teacher, Mr. Walsh, recognized my dance abilities when we were required to create a music video from scratch. I selected the then popular song, Vogue, by Madonna, and choreographed all of the moves. After we shot the solo performance, I received praise from the teachers and students and soon Mr. Walsh broadcasted the video in the school auditorium for everyone to see. Shocked at first, my family pushed me to enter the talent show contest with two other girls. I taught them my dance and we won! In high school, I was very close with an established freestyle singer, Lil Suzy, who gave me a taste of what the musical life was really life. Let’s fast forward to college where I returned to my junior high school roots and studied television and film production. I successfully acquired an internship with the notorious Howard Stern and gained much experience behind the scenes in “show biz.” With professional and personal experiences thriving, I dabbled with open mics and guest performances with local bands that attracted such positive energy. The culmination of my life experiences thus far has wet my appetite to come out of my creative shell as a music artist and share with the world the stories the lurk inside…who can resist?
Q. Most music artists have that special someone or thing that influenced their decision to do music. Did anyone or something in your life play a major role in influencing you to go into the music business?
It wouldn’t be fair to say that just one person influenced me. I am like a sponge that absorbs a little piece of everyone I connect with, from family to friends to established artists. Alanis Morissette’s music has inspired me since the age of 15, when she stomped onto the American music scene in 1995. My personal friend and musical confidant, Debbie Mitten, has influenced me in ways I’m still learning about! Ultimately, the more I live, the more I learn, the more I learn, the more I’m impacted!
Q. In terms of the music, which major artist(s) influenced your style and why?
It’s all about originality to me. I did, however, create a CD of music for my producer that I really love and have studied. The artists on that CD are (in no particular order) Tool, Alanis Morissette, Jem, Incubus, Adema, 10 Years, Frou Frou, Ani DiFranco, Evanescence, Hole, Kate Earl, The Cranberries, Sade, NIN, Mazzy Star, David Gray, Fiona Apple, 4 Non Blondes, and Daughtry.
Q. With so many independent artists trying to make it, what makes you stand out from the competition?
I’m awesome!
Q. Music industry professionals are quick to say that being an artist means to gracefully fit a marketable niche in the industry. If you were offered an opportunity that asked you to be something you are not, would you do it to get your foot in the door?
I would gracefully turn them down.
Q. Making music is one thing, selling it is another. What types of strategies do you use in promoting your artistic work and getting it heard by the proper professionals?
It’s all about how you present yourself. It’s a strategy my mother taught me from the womb. I’m the “big picture” type who won’t put anything out there unless it was done to the best of my ability. I have a huge circle of supportive friends, I always start with them. After that, it usually takes on a life of its own. I STRONGLY believe in the natural flow of things. Luckily, the flow has been nothing but positive and energetically alive!
Q. In regards to wheeling and dealing, how important do you feel business knowledge is to making it in an industry filled with much heartache?
Every profession has its own heartache. Every strong business has an even stronger leader driving it forward. With that being said, you can sense that being savvy is important and always an advantage (Think: Madonna.)
Q. Let's fast forward to 5 years from now. What advice would you offer to struggling independent artists?
Create for the passion of it, Persist for the taste of it, Perform for the life of it and throughout the process ALWAYS keep your feet on the ground.
Q. Most successful artists are involved in charitable organizations that stand for a cause that hits close to home. In that regard, once you reach success, what charitable cause(s) would you like to be involved in and why?
Anything involving educational funding, various charities for cancer research and Make-A-Wish Foundation.
