Present yourself to the readers.
Well, I’m a bit of a hippy. I want everyone to get along, be happy, and be healthy. It’s a struggle that I have to deal with a lot because peace and happiness isn’t always the way the world works. This life can be tiring watching so much negativity and sadness. But, music…music has this power - the power to bring people together, to help people feel like they belong somewhere, to help brighten peoples’ day, to say what they don’t know how to say, and to acknowledge and validate peoples’ thoughts and feelings. I have been in cover bands for over 13 years now, and the more I performed, the more I saw how music and my attitude performing music effected viewers. This is why I got into writing and singing original music. I have mended my own broken heart (I’ve lost a lot of beautiful souls in my short time alive) several times with music. I used to have such a hard time expressing how I felt, and music was able to do that for me. I’m so grateful for it. What I want to do, in return, is make music that people can identify with, and use for their own healing and inspiration.
What’s the story for I’M NOT BROKEN ?
The goal for this album was to be open and honest. The song, « I’m Not Broken », is about getting past what you physically see in front of you and remaining free of judgement. I suffer from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, and so deal with depression and axiety. Most times, people would never know this about me because of the way I carry myself. In the same way, assuming the opposite can be hurtful as well. This specific song asks folks to not assume that just because someone has been at war, has depression, or can be on fire inside, that they need to be fixed. We are individuals. And we have different experiences. And we cope differently, and behave differently. And thats okay. It doesn’t mean we’re broken – any of us, really.
Your texts and your compositions ?..What are they talking about ?..How does inspiration come ?
The text, for me, talk about life experiences. This album ranges from finding good memories within the hard memories with loved ones, to remembering why I got married in the first place when sometimes I forget. The album will take you through the exploration of war, grief, love, and revenge. It begins with a our rock song “Cry Baby” about confidence and growth, it tours you through falling in love (“California Sunset (Piano Version)” and “Hold on to Me”), brings you to the present from the eyes of a veteran (“Silent Valley”), and lands you in a sassy place where you’re ready to move forward in life and stay strong with what you’ve learned (“Broken Promises”). “So Much Easier” is an honest depiction about my marriage, and “Cheers to You” is a song about a day out on the delta with my closest friends after feeling sheltered in work and obligation for so long. Really, inspiration for the lyrics comes from Mike Cook’s compositions, and the feelings that I get when listening to them. Then, those feelings become relatable to life, and I ask whether that experience I’m thinking of is important to write about. Most often times, the answer is yes.
Are you day or night ?
Oh, I am a morning person ! I love walking into the kitchen in the morning, grabbing my cup of coffee, sitting on the couch with my dogs just to focus on their calm and happy attitudes, and focus on enjoying the quiet before getting up and working. Those moments are precious. But when it’s time to rock, the night is where I come alive !
Why did you choose this style of music ?
Mike Cook, my co-writer, and I really wanted a well-rounded album. He is very much a Country Music style writer, and I am a rocker chick. Before we started writing together, we sent each other the music that we listen to. My choices were artists and groups such as Maroon 5, P !nk, Carrie Underwood, Janis Joplin, Aerosmith, Matchbox Twenty, and Adele. I grew up listening to Classic Rock and R&B. Mike’s choices were artists like Chris Stapleton, Luke Combs, Dia Frampton, and Concrete Blonde. Mike is very comfortable and well-studied on Country Music, but wanted something fresh. So we decided that Country Rock would be most of the ablum, and that we’d play around with the rest to make it something folks listening to our music have never heard before.
What are your personal musical tastes and your influences ?
Well, there are two huge influences in my music career. P!nk definitely has had a heavy influence on me. Especially her most recent album. Her vulnerability and honesty really caught my attention. Of course, her prior albums’ styles gave me the courage to have a little edge. My other equally heavy influential artist is Janis Joplin. I have actually been in a production acting and performing as her character. Studying her life and her style really had an impact on my style and capabilities. Both of these women live with open hearts, as I intend to do.
What’s your top 5 albums of all time ?
Pearl – Janis Joplin Led Zeppelin IV – Led Zeppelin 21 – Adele Beautiful Trauma – P!nk Greatest Hits - Queen
