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?
Yes, the moment I really felt the
drive to become an artist was listening to Keith Jarrett on headphones in my
living room when I was about 14 years old. It wasn't about the fame or
recognition or even the big audiences. It was the way he found a new sound on
the piano and made it seem like a choir of tiny voices. It touched me so deeply
and I knew I wanted to make it my life's work to find my own sound. Little did
I know at that time it would be in songwriting, not just playing. And Keith
proved to be one of many influences that helped me set my vision and keep going
even when figuring out the career side of music was tough!
2. When you’re not creating music what are you listening to?
Who are some of your favorites?
I am listening to music all of the
time. Right now what I find most relaxing is Simone Dinnerstein's recording of
Bach's Goldberg Variations. I can either sit and listen intensely, or I can
have it on while I'm doing other things around the house. Either way there is a
richness to the music and a clarity to the way she plays that really grounds
me. And for upbeat stuff, I actually just made a driving mix (on CD although
imagine if it could have been cassette tape!). That features some of my desert-island-picks
like Larry Graham, Herbie Hancock, Solas, Jobim, Bonnie Raitt, and Billy Joel.
3. What would you say is your greatest moment so far as an
artist, either on record or live?
Well it's hard to pick one moment,
but I must say this past weekend playing as a New Folk Finalist at Kerrville
Folk Festival was truly amazing! The audience was about 600 people, outdoors in
the Texas sun. Even though there were so many of them, it felt as intimate as a
house concert to me because of the warmth and kindness of the crowd. People
travel from all over to attend the festival and are especially excited to
discover emerging artists on New Folk. I must say I give my best performances
when embraced by such a great audience, and I had the opportunity to play two songs
from Satellite - "We Were Children" and "Down the Road."
Unforgettable experience.
4. Do you believe music can change the world or is just
something to listen to? How much can music influence current events?
I do believe music can change the world. It mobilizes people.
Look at the Civil Rights Movement and songs like We Shall Overcome. Look at
National Anthems and Gospel Songs and songs against bullying. Music resonates
with people like nothing else, and it is also easier to remember words and
their meaning when there is a melody to go along. I hope that a song like
"We Were Children" could bring awareness about the unfairness of
children being forced to fight in wars. When I write songs like that, I try to
balance what is specific with what is universal. I would be honored if a song
of mine were ever used for a charitable effort towards peace and think a big
step to finding it is actually trying to understand peoples' hardships, not
just saying feel-good things about peace. In that song I try to put myself in
the shoes of a young boy escaping a war-torn country. It was hard to imagine
but for me that is the best way to get outside of my own experience to create
an artistic statement.
5. How has technology affected the music industry? How has
technology affected your career as a musician?
I find technology very useful in
terms of reaching my audience. I use all kinds of online tools to do that. I do
wish when music was converted to digital they had found a better way to
preserve monetization. But it is too late to go back and do that another way it
seems. I do still make money selling CD's and downloads and find that my true
fans want to support me professionally, so they pay for the music. Overall I
would say new technologies are a plus for independent artists, although it has
also made the sea of musicians trying to "make it" a lot bigger!
6. Now for my Barbara Walters question: If you were a pair
of shoes what type of shoes would you be?
Ha! That's a great question :) I
know I wouldn't be high heels. I try to avoid those whenever I can. Hm. I think
I'd be snow shoes! They are hilariously fun and quite useful! And they can
cross all kinds of tough terrain! Plus they make you look like a big snow shoe
bunny! I love that!
