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?
Much more than one defining moment it was about one type of moment that made me decide to become a singer. It was during moments I spent with myself - studying in my college dorm room late at night, waiting for a bus or just walking. Music always kept me company taking me to a reality that was bigger than the one I found myself in at the time. That transcending nature of music slowly grew on me until the point I realized that music was a path towards the freedom that my heart has always seeked.
2. When you’re not creating music what are you listening to? Who are some of your favorites
I have different favorite artists for different activities. When I´m working out and cooking, I like to listen to Lady Gaga, Enrique Iglesias and dance music in general. When I´m meditating, I listen to real new agey music because in addition to relaxing me, it also helps me time my meditation. I love Krishna Das and Deva Premal. When driving, I listen to the artists who inspire me like Kate Bush, The Renaissance, Andrea Bocceli, Mark Knopfler, Tin Hat Trio, Yann Tiersen and Beck.
3. What would you say is your greatest moment so far as an artist, either on record or live?
One moment that I remember very clearly was at the studio working on the song “Everything I Know About Love”. After months of pre-production, I was ready to drop the song because we had tried it like a ballad and it was sounding like Aerosmith, then we tried it faster and it just took away all the magic from the song. My producer, Ross Leitner, is a relentless person and he decided to call in a guitarist named Michael Bradley to just come in and play. It was a sweltering and sticky summer afternoon in LA and Michael was in a bad mood because like me, he´s very sensitive to heat. Ross briefly talked to Michael about how he was hearing the chords in his head and as soon as Michael started playing, I knew that his sound was perfect for the song.
In essence, music is nothing but waves and when you find a person who´s on the same frequency as your music is, then magic happens. As a songwriter sometimes you have already been living with the song for many months before going into studio. It´s very touching when the song finds the right arrangements because it´s like you have taken it home. Michael ended up co-producing the album and singing background vocals as well. Both Michael and Ross have become very dear friends and I feel very fortunate to have found them.
4. Do you believe music can change the world or is just something to listen to? How much can music influence current events?
Music can inspire change because it is a powerful communication tool that speaks directly to people´s hearts. In my Work of Art Global Project, I was able to count on more than 40 collaborators around the world to help me do versions of my song Work of Art in 20 different languages. People opened themselves up to my music in a way they probably wouldn´t have had I been working on other causes, for example.
Having said that, the tool alone won´t do the job. At an individual level, a song may inspire a person to have a different perception about reality. On a larger scale though, I think that once you get the message across through your music, you have to work to effectively promote the changes you sing about.
5. How has technology affected the music industry? How has technology affected your career as a musician?
Absolutely, for one thing technology has made the music industry more democratic. Producers of all ages and social classes now have access to audio softwares. Artists of all types can create a website and a social network profile to share their music. Technology has made it possible for artists to find their fans directly without necessarily having the approval of the gatekeepers of the old music industry.
As an artist, I see myself as a "postwoman". I get the inspiration to write a song, I record it and then I have to make sure that that song gets to its final destination – the fan. The work is not complete without the fan because these songs were not written so I could sing them in the shower to myself. Technology has made it possible for me to interact with these fans who are undoubtedly the ones who complete the song. I see their faces, vacation photos, get advice from them and it´s a very gratifying experience.
6. Now for my Barbara Walters question: If you were a pair of shoes what type of shoes would you be?
Haikaa is the Japanese pronounciation for the English word “hiker”. If I were a shoe, I would be a good pair of hiking boots that would allow me to reach ever changing summits from where I could see and experience new horizons.
No comments:
Post a Comment