1. For many artists, they cite a defining moment for themselves when they knew they wanted to be a singer. For many it was the appearance of Elvis on the Ed Sullivan show, to another generation it was the Beatles’ appearance on Sullivan half a decade later. Is there such a defining moment for you?
It was when I was working as a sound engineer and having to autotune and create walls of sound to mask people who were pretty bad. They all had record deals. I just got fed up and thought, hey I really love music and I bet I could actually sing and write better than these people. I’m only half kidding, I think the spark of me going from fanatic music listener to fanatic writer was just plain arrogance. But it had to grow from there, because I knew I wasn’t very good at first, but I really wanted to get better, be great. I worked really hard.
2. When you’re not creating music what are you listening to? Who are some of your favorites?
I have really been digging on and studying the blues, I love Lightnin’ Hopkins, Louisiana Red, mostly Delta music. I’m interested in distilling things down to one essence, to have it be rich and pure and fearless as those people. I love great singers, Cat Power's covers record, actually someone recently turned me on to a record that Kiki Dee (yes) made a few years ago which sounds great, she sings her ass off! Nina Simone is one of my muses, she was a mad goddess, just a wild genius. I don’t really enjoy “pleasant” music
3. What would you say is your greatest moment so far as an artist, either on record or live?
After a show in Helsinki people came up to me with tears in their eyes, they were so moved by the music. That was the first time I thought, hey maybe you’re doing something right here!
4. Do you believe music can change the world or is just something to listen to? How much can music influence current events?
Well, it’s pretty obvious that it has changed the world. From protest songs to campfire singalongs, music is a deep force in human behavior. Like anything else it can be used for good or ill – most popular music now is just a commercial for itself, a tool of commerce, engineered to manipulate people into buying things rather than cultivate a spirit of independent thought and feeling. They have formulas for beats per minute and certain keys that influence the endorphins, I know, I was an engineer. Its corporate mind control.
5. How has technology affected the music industry? How has technology affected your career as a musician?
Its only been a good thing. I love technology. I can’t wait to have my hologram studio in my hover house with my flying Jetsons car! But really, I love nothing more than to hermit out in my studio tweaking sounds and knobs and just digging on what’s possible and all the little accidents that make you stop and go, I don’t know how I got to this but its PERFECT. That creative independence is what I live for. I never had fun explaining what I was going for with other engineers, I’d get way too impatient, always thinking about how much it was costing. Little Genius was completed 100% by me alone, and I am really pleased and proud of what I was able to do. Next record will be even better and more fun, because I learned so much.
6. Now for my Barbara Walters question: If you were a pair of shoes what type of shoes would you be?
Oh girl, you know it’s a pair of black Prada pointy-toe 3-1/2-inch pumps. Classic, a little scary, but not too sky-high so I can get my chop-socky on if I have to. Fierceness is a virtue.
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