Simply Six: Lauren Edman

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?

Hearing Tori Amos's music when I was a teenager had a big impact on me. I was amazed that she could make such uniquely expressive and emotional music. Previously to that, most of the music I listened to that wasn't jazz standards, classical or showtunes was simply Top 40 radio stuff. I liked that well enough, but I had no idea what I was missing. Tori's production and arrangements were so interesting to me, and I'd never heard anyone play piano the way she does. While I didn't want to try to emulate her sound, I started wishing that I could make music that could connect with people the way her music connected with me.

 

2. When you’re not creating music what are you listening to?  Who are some of your favorites?

I listen to a lot of alternative female singers - aside from Tori I love Fiona Apple (can't wait for her new album), Lisa Germano, PJ Harvey, Rasputina, Nina Persson, Marissa Nadler, lots of others. The album I bought most recently is First Aid Kit's The Lion's Roar, which is really beautiful. I also like a lot of classical music and symphonic band pieces and some showtunes. The other day I put on a recording of Johan De Meij's Lord of the Rings. Then I listened to the Next to Normal Original Broadway Cast soundtrack. When I play piano for fun, I particularly enjoy playing music by Brahms, Debussy and Scriabin. I'm kind of all over the place in what I like, which explains the variety of styles on my album.

3. What would you say is your greatest moment so far as an artist, either on record or live?

That's hard to say, but performing in Amateur Night at the Apollo is up there on the list. I did that in 2005. It was terrifying and exhilarating at the same time, having that audience of mostly strangers cheering and booing at the top of their lungs while you're just hoping to get through your song without being tap-danced off the stage. The fact that I didn't get booed off the stage made me think that maybe I have a chance as a singer after all.

4.  Do you believe music can change the world or is just something to listen to?   How much can music influence current events?

Music is different things to different people. It can influence people, but it's a very personal and individual thing. I don't think of music as something that influences current events so much as I think of it as something that illustrates them and can draw people in.

5. How has technology affected the music industry?  How has technology affected your career as a musician?

Well that's a huge question. Technology has made it a lot easier for musicians to make good sounding recordings for a relatively low price. I've definitely benefited from that in recording and producing my own music in my simple home studio, but at the same time I've seen amazing recording studios go out of business because of it, which is depressing as a recording engineer and as someone who loves being in those places, even if I couldn't afford to record in them myself. The music industry as a whole has become a lot more spread out, niche-oriented as well as more dense and hard to navigate with so many options for indie artists. I do think it's great for indie artists to actually have those options and so many ways to connect with fans and new listeners, even if breaking through the din is still tough for musicians just starting out.

 

6.  Now for my Barbara Walters question:  If you were a pair of shoes what type of shoes would you be?

I would be pretty much any shoe in the Fluevog Operetta family.

Simply Six: Sigurður Eyberg

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?

I was about seven when I told my grandmother I was gonna be a singer. She said: "Don't. Singers are all so cocky". This was probably the first time the idea occurred to me, it was after seeing some band perform on TV, not sure what it was, in the memory they look a bit like AC/DC but I have no idea really.

2. When you’re not creating music what are you listening to? Who are some of your favorites?

I listen to the flavor of the month at any given time I suppose, or some of whatever is going on at the moment but I am quite saddened by how few artists make it beyond a good single or even a good first album. The ones that do I tend to fall in love with. The ones I can continually return to are people like: PJ Harvey, Beck, Gorillaz, The Pixies, The Beatles etc. all of who have an extensive catalog of great music.

3. What would you say is your greatest moment so far as an artist, either on record or live?

The greatest moments are hard to remember because they are the moments when you become so immersed in the music that you forget yourself. Therefore it is hard to actually recall the moment. Although there are numerous concerts that have felt great I still am certain that the best moments, live and in the studio are ahead of me.

4. Do you believe music can change the world or is just something to listen to? How much can music influence current events?

I absolutely think it can. Anything we put out there affects other people and ideas can come from anywhere. Perhaps it is rare that musicians come up with ideas that are that radical that they can actually shape the world on a big scale but a thought or a feeling that resonates with someone else perhaps takes on a life of its own and then reverberates from that individual on to someone else and so on. Who knows how big the effect in the end.

5. How has technology affected the music industry? How has technology affected your career as a musician?

It has helped me with my writing as well as enabling me to go solo as I could shape the songs etc. without having to rely on someone else to aid in that process.

6. Now for my Barbara Walters question: If you were a pair of shoes what type of shoes would you be?

The neon green trainers I had twenty years ago. They captured my character completely.

SIMPLY SIX: Stehpanie Paige Norton

Stephanie is a singer from Australia.

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?

I cant say there was a defining moment when I first realised that I wanted to be an artist. I first picked up the guitar at age 15 but had always had a love for music early on as a child.
There wasn’t a particular artist that inspired me to sing. It was just something I did and I knew felt right.I used song writing as a way to express my feelings as a teenager and its wasn’t till years later that I realised how I wanted to go about my music.I would say 911 opened my eyes up about the world and made me want to write songs that had real meaning. I realised how much tragedy goes on and has gone on over the years and its really inspired me to write about real stories!

2. When you’re not creating music what are you listening to? Who are some of your favorites?

I try not to limit myself musically. I love experimenting and you can never stop learning from other musicians so im constantly listening and gaining inspiration from all styles of music .The artists that inspire me the most are Henry Rollins & Daniel Johns,.They both create art that has both true passion & substance. Im usually listening to Rollins Band, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Scars On Broadway, Tom Petty, Iggy Pop, Rob Zombie, Queens Of The Stone Age, Tenacious D, Silverchair, System Of A Down, David Bowie, Amen, Acdc, The White Stripes, Misfits, Pj Harvey, The Doors, Juliette & the Licks, Nirvana & more…

3. What would you say is your greatest moment so far as an artist, either on record or live?

I would say the way the audience has been connecting with my music.The support ive have been getting in the last 6 months has been flattering. Having other musicians appreciate my work and want to get involved in other projects is amazing. Having people message me saying they connect with the songs and how they have helped them through tough times is rewarding. The fact that you can affect someones life on the other side of the world from something you have created in your bedroom is a great feeling and by far my biggest achievement so far.

4. Do you believe music can change the world or is just something to listen to? How much can music influence current events?

Of course. Its not something that can change overnight but music is just as powerful as politics. I think that musicians have a large impact on the youth and as they are the ones who will determine our future its important in both art and music to keep on trying to convey the messages. So yes music can affect current events just as current events are affecting music, these are the things that artists as myself are finding inspiration from.

5. How has technology affected the music industry? How has technology affected your career as a musician?

Definitely!The Internet its such a great way for bands and artists to get exposed.I really believe its opened a lot of doors for myself as an artist. A site such as Myspace allows new and unknown bands to be heard and grow a fan base. The old days everything was done via record labels and now these days you can get label interest from a track being heard on a website.
And the great thing about the advancement in musical technology is you can pretty much record a decent sounding demo on your home computer without having to spend a fortune on a polished studio album and get your music out there all by yourself.

6. Now for my Barbara Walters question: If you were a pair of shoes what type of shoes would you be?

I would be a pair of comfortable shoes because if I could walk through life content then I will achieve the best out of myself both personally and musically.

Go check out her myspace page for samples of her music.