- How many (and which) instruments do you play? How was the idea of start to play alone? I play saxophone (mostly Baritone), Guitar, and drums. I had been in bands for years, but always the band would come to an end; because people are always changing. I wanted to start a solo project so that I could say when I was ready for the band to end; not be at the mercy of musicians; who inevitable have complicated and full lives.
- You play with a lot of bands, what is the most difference between play at the stage with a band and alone? I almost always prefer to play with a band live; and actually it’s been a long time since I’ve done a one-woman-band. With a band, there is a lot of support and frankly, it’s more fun; because my band are really fun people. When I play alone, I play all the instruments and run the track(s) through my loop pedal or computer. Then I play along to them on guitar or saxophone and sing. I am comfortable doing this and I did it for years. But ultimately, I treasure the musical exchange between people. Their creativity is enchanting to me.
- What are the challenges to be a woman in the stages trying to pass your message? There are plenty of challenges being a woman in music. Though this is my personal opinion, I think we need to work hard; that we might combat the idea that “females can’t play as well as males”. We need to CLEARLY be awesome, show our strengths and be empowered by our skills and talents. This is easy for some female musicians, but I’ve found my empowerment to come to me very slowly. And through trial and error. Yet, often, I’m still terribly insecure inside!
- How about your lyrics, what’s inspire you to write? I love song ideas that use nature as a metaphore for my emotional landscape. I also listen to a lot of podcasts, read a lot of memoirs, and watch documentaries to inspire me and incite creativity. I also journal a lot, and often an idea pops out right there on the page.
- You played in different countries. Are there difference between the public of others cities? Do you have some gig that you remember more special? Its easy to say that Austin, TX has a very tough and jaded crowd! It seems there are more musicians than fans in the croud and musicians are tough to impress and entertain. New York is tough too; But let me say that the crowds in Brazil are the most amazing of all. My shows in Brazil have been the most amazing.
- You started at the music very young. Can you see some positive changes for the woman at the stages? Did you pass some unpleasant situation as a woman on stage? I have seen a lot of changes and it’s refreshing! Bands have a lot more females mixed into them than before. I almost notice MORE now when the band is all dudes; it seems odd. But yes, for me there has been unpleasantries as a woman musician. It’s been a long, long time though. It’s always the sound guy.
- Today we talk a lot about feminism and feminine empowerment. Did you think the music could help in this topic? One thing that could help is female leads being supportive of other female lead artists. Sometimes it can feel a little caddy and maybe competitive. Especially in the live music scene. I know not everyone can get along; and just the same if someone isn’t cool then I steer clear. In simple terms I think the act of composing my own music is empowering to other aspiring female musicians. Keeping consistntly active in the musical community is also effective.
- Did you make all the cd Femmie Auteur alone, didn’t you? How about the others, are they the same process? Could you tell us how is work alone and the difference between that and work in a group? I recorded, wrote, played and produced my first record “Femmie Auteur” so ya that’s about alone as it gets! I had gone to a producer and pitched my ideas, but I didn’t have a budget. He said, I bet you can do this yourself. I hadn’t considered that. So I thank Billy Harvey for telling me what I needed to hear: DIY. I recorded it in Garageband. Many of those songs are still very creative to my ears. These days, I desire to be more prolific and want a more polished execution. I’ll bring the producer or writing partner my ideas and we hash them out. For my newest record I’m about to release, “The Lone Wolf Meets the Underdog,” I utilized the amazing Jeff Luna. He is a multi-instrumentalist, songwriter and movie score composer but also a live musician. He was very easy to work with; and respected my sound and ideas. He took my songs and made gorgeous, lush horn arrangements. He also played many of the instruments on it. I’m very proud of our collaboration.
- Here in Brasil we have a culture extremely male chauvinist. This turns more difficult to a girl learn playing instruments or something considers thing of “male”. How Austin is about the culture? There is a huge wave of change in this area. Because Austin is the “Live Music Capital of the World” there is a big push to introduce music at a very young age. There is also a “Girls Rock Camp” here ever summer, for which I was a coach for many years. The girls write and perform their own music with little interference from the coaches. There is also a large “Ladies Rock Camp” movement here for which aspiring musicians can learn what it’s like to play and be in a band. None of this was around when I was growing up; there was very little support. Maybe SP can start a “Girls Rock Camp!”
- What is your plans for DD Dagger in future? I am so very excited to record with the Brazilian producer Bruno Serroni. We will feature the vocals of Rita Olivia, also from SP. I’m gathering and writing the music as we speak, and hopefully by the time I leave Brazil in December I’ll have another record to be proud of.
- To finish, do you have some message to girls who want to start play some instrument? Be patient with yourself. Start slow and be steady. Playing music is a lot about discipline and not getting discouraged. Know that the true pleasure of songwriting or playing (or any artistic endeavor) is in the moment, not in the future. The real pleasure is the language of music and community that we share together.
ORIGINAL INTERVIEW HERE>
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