shows in Richmond. The Richmond Buzz is
featuring 4 of Richmond's talented female lead
singers.
What do you think the main
difference is between
bands that have female
singers versus a male singer
are?
Definitely sex appeal..if you
have confident, strong
female vocalist fronting a
band, there is absolutely an
extra aspect to that
experience.
What do you think the main
difference would be if you
were the lead singer of an
all female band? What
would you miss, what would
you gain?
I don't know if I would be able to figure that out, never having been in
that situation...it's hard to keep things in check with 4 or 5 different
people, anyway. I'm not sure gender would play that much of a
roll...I'm glad the guys are big enough to lift all
the gear. I'd miss that!
What is the best memory or event you have in
regards to being a lead singer in a band?
Well, winning the 2005 battle of the bands at the
Richmond Coliseum was a biggie, playing Innsbrook
opening for Foreigner, and the very first time we
playing in NYC.
What challenges have you faced
being a female singer?
Unwanted advances from
audience members and even long
ago, club managers...yeeach!
trying to keep your voice in top
shape, show after show, while
still going about your everyday
normal life.
What females have influenced
your life and why?
My paternal grandmother, who just died last October.
She was the coolest and she always encouraged me to
keep singing. Lots of female singers..Debbie Harry was
probably the first female singer I knew by name as a
kid. There is a long list...Chrissie Hynde, Tori Amos,
Kate Pierson, Tina Weymouth, Johnette Napolitano, kd
lang, Annabella Lwin..sooooo many!
What is it like to be recognized by fans, how do
you feel about being in the eye of the public, what
are the ups and what are the downs?
It freaks me out a little to be recognized, but I
guess we want people to identify with the "brand",
right? It just sucks when people kind of recognize me,
then tell me how much better I looked at the show, or
in the pictures. Haha! "No, people! I'm not wearing
tons of makeup and hairdo and fishnets at my day
job...I hope I do look better on stage!" Also, because
people see you in both worlds, they start to think
they know you...usually, it's ok, but there have been
some iffy times.
What song speaks to your soul,
and why?
"Young americans" David
Bowie...you know, I really
don't know why, it just always
has...it was the first
thing that popped into my head
and it was a no-brainer
for me...listen to the lyrics.
What advice do you have for any young female singer
considering making music an important part of her life
as a career?
Know what you're getting into. Expect late nights and
dirty clothes and hair that smells like cigarette
smoke, as far as performance is concerned. Expect to
have so much fun you can't believe you have to go back
to work in a few days. Expect to practice your craft,
whether it's singing, or an instrument. Many people do
music but you have to do it well and set yourself
apart from the others...something that helps you stand
out. Oh, and NEVER think your own crap doesn't stink!
What is the best form
of flattery a fan can
say or do to a
musician?
People tell us that our CD hasn't left their player
since they bought it. I love that, because it means
that what we do speaks to some people on a personal
level that we might take for granted.
What other talents do you have besides singing, or something most
people do not know about you?
I'm an excellent dog-mom! I used to play the cello
very well, drawing, I used to write pretty well, and
act back in the olden days. And I curse like a sailor!
Describe what the life a lead singer is like,
what are the highs and lows.
Mostly highs, having people like and understand
what you are trying to convey with your lyrics,making
other girls feel like they could do it, too. There are
occasional little girls that get hold of our CDs
through their families, and apparently they think I'm
the coolest! That's is soooo exciting for me! The lows
are only, for me, when I have bad "chick" days...don't
want people looking at me, or I feel fat, or I have a
sore throat and don't know if I can hit notes that
night. I don't have any real problems with it.
How much personal experience do you draw
from when writing songs, do you generally
write what you are currently going through
and put it to music?
I definitely pull from personal
experiences...and I also empathically pull from
the experiences of the people I'm close to, and
things they may be going through. My goal is to
not do it in a way that is obvious, though. I
don't mind putting my business out in the street
for art, but not someone I care about
who may be hurt by it.
Who's CD's do you have in your collection? If
you could meet any female singer from any era, who
would it be and why?
I've got lots in my collection...Erykah Badu, Tori
Amos, Dido, Poe, Blondie, Heart, Nelly
Furtado,Concrete Blonde, Janis Joplin...too many to
name. I wouldn't want to meet any, I don't think.
Because part of fan worship is the mystery .I wouldn't
want to destroy the image I have, that's been
important to me and shaped the way I see music.
although I did get to meet and hang out with Tina
Weymouth (Talking Heads) a year or so back and she did
NOT disappoint!
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