|
FIND OUT THE AMAZING SAGA OF LUCY SCHWARTZ AND HER SCIENTIST MINIONS!
(By: JAM)
There is a new artist on the block and you probably already know who she is without knowing her name. Lucy Schwartz has been infecting our television and movie culture with her music for several years, and is finally about to explode onto the scene with the release of her new EP “Help Me! Help Me!” available for digital download today! It is likely that you have heard one of her songs bleeding through the speakers of your television set in shows like Make It or Break It, Private Practice and Grey’s Anatomy. However, this brand new EP is just a tiny taste of the sparkle that you will hear from Lucy's forthcoming album.
Hollywood Teen'Zine was recently given the chance to catch up with Lucy to discuss her EP that is scheduled for release tomorrow, her scientist minions, and the cover picture choice for the album. And may I say that we found a very insightful, eclectic, humorous, and awesome young lady! So pull a chair up to your desk and become one of the first to know a little about Miss Lucy Schwartz!
BACKGROUND
How did you become involved with music?
There was an upright piano in my house, and when I was little I would always go over to it and pick out melodies. When I was about six, I started taking piano lessons. My early piano lessons were a struggle…reading music did not come naturally to me and I almost quit because of it. Luckily, though, I found Kia Colton, a wonderful piano teacher and mentor who encouraged me to write my own music.
At what age did you begin to incorporate musical instruments into your music?
I recorded my first album “Winter In June” when I was sixteen. Of course there were always instruments involved in the writing of the music, but it was during the recording process that I first started to become interested in layering different instruments together and exploring production elements. Recording is such an incredible experience because you start with this idea in your head and then suddenly it’s a tangible thing—somebody else can see and hear what you dreamed up.
Did anyone in your family influence your decision to become a singer/songwriter?
I come from a family of musicians. My dad is a composer for television/film, my uncle is a composer for Broadway, and a lot of my other relatives are very musical--though music isn’t their profession. Having so many musicians and artists in my family showed me that it is possible to make a career out of doing something that you love. However, the decision to become a songwriter was something that I chose on my own. I was always drawn to the piano, to music, and to writing songs and I knew that was what I wanted to do.
How did you develop your sound?
In a top-secret laboratory with my scientist minions. No, not really. I think my sound is something that developed naturally. I never tried to sound like a specific person or group, I just wanted to write songs that I could call my own.
Who are some of your musical influences?
I am a humongous fan of “The Beatles” and “Coldplay”. I guess I have a thing for British men who play instruments in groups of four. Or, it could be that I love them simply because they write fantastic music….I will need to ask my scientist minions to do a test to be certain of this. Growing up, I was also inspired by artists like Ben Folds, Carol King, KT Tunstall, Aqualung, Simon Dawes and many, many more.
You have had your songs played on popular television series like "Make It Or Break It" "Grey's Anatomy" and "Private Practice". Can you explain to our readers the process of how you get a song to be played on a television series or movie?
A music supervisor—whose job it is to place music--will offer your song as a possibility for a scene along with a lot of other songs, and sometimes your song fits and it’s picked.
I’ve also written several songs specifically for films, which is more of a hands-on process where you either watch a part of the movie or you are given a description of what the director is looking for, and you try to capture the essence and emotion of the film in your song. A lot of the time, though, you are up against hundreds of others who are writing songs for the same film. So, I feel very lucky whenever my song is chosen for a movie.
Do you remember the first time you heard one of your songs played in a television series or movie?
The first film I wrote songs for was “The Women”. The premiere was a very surreal experience. I walked the red carpet—which is like a mad circus—people are screaming your name and saying, “Look here! Look here!”. It’s all very strange. And then I heard my songs play in the theatre with an audience for the first time. It was very exciting and at the same time there was a disconnect, like “Wow, that’s me? What’s going on?”.
Are you a fan of any of the shows/movies that your music has been played in?
I wrote a song for a film called “Mother & Child”, which is at Sundance this year and is going to be released in May. I think it’s a very honest, powerful, and moving story with terrific performances from the actors and I’m proud to have been a part of the film. I’m also a fan of the Shrek series and I wrote a song that is looking like it will be in Shrek 4. Woohoo!
Congratulations on the upcoming song for the new Shrek movie! Can you tell us a little about the song that you will be performing on the soundtrack?
Thank you! As of now, it is in the film, but things can always change. So I’m crossing my fingers it will be in the final cut.
I wrote the song with a wonderful singer-songwriter named Landon Pigg. I had been a fan of his music for a while and when I heard that Shrek was looking for a duet I immediately said, “Let’s get Landon!”
So, Landon and I met up and started working on our Ogre duet. It’s a little scary when you set out to write with someone that you are just getting to know because writing songs can be a very personal experience. But luckily, Landon and I were like an Ogre and a Donkey—we made a good team. We both brought something different to the table and I think that’s the magic of the song. It’s really an incredible thing when you write a song with somebody and you think “neither of us would have written this song on our own. This song came into being because we crossed paths.”
THE EP
Lets start off with the visuals. When you pick up your EP, the first thing you notice is the picture on the cover where you pose with birds, clocks, scissors, flowers, etc. in your hair. How does that image represent you as an artist?
I am a very visual person. I always have a distinct vision for album covers/photos and music videos. For my “Help Me! Help Me! EP” I wanted to create an image that said “Hey look! This lady is in some serious need of some help over here!” and I think I did that. The image is also a little peek into the wild workings of my mind—worries, fears, happy little songbirds, and utter chaos.
What are some of the things (melody, lyrics, etc.) that you looked for in the songs you chose to put on Help Me Help Me?
The EP is an introduction. It’s a little taster. A pu pu platter. A kabob. Or perhaps something much more pleasant-sounding than any of those culinary items.
The main thing I was looking for in the songs that I picked was variety. Some of the songs like “Gone Away” and “Gravity” were actually demos when they were used in Private Practice and Grey’s Anatomy and for other placements and I decided to keep them exactly the way they were. I also have songs that are more fully produced like “Help Me! Help Me!” and “Those Days”. I end the record with a cover—which is a first for me—but I think that a great way to show who you are as an artist is to reinterpret someone else’s work and make it your own.
Do you feel it is better to have stronger melody or lyrics in a song?
That’s like asking for the peanut butter without the jelly. You need both if you want to make a tasty sandwich.
Do you have a favorite track on the album?
My favorite is the title track, “Help Me! Help Me!”, since it inspired the rest of the EP.
What is your favorite song to perform live?
I particularly enjoy playing “Shadow Man”—one of the new songs from my forthcoming full-length album—because I get to play percussion on it. It is surprisingly fun to hit things.
It seems you love every aspect of the recording process, but did you have a favorite part putting this album together?
Working with three great producers: Mitchell Froom, Barrie Maguire, and D.Fly Schwartz
What were some of the challenges you faced working in the studio?
Eating too much meatless bacon. I am a vegetarian and there was a vegan restaurant down the street from the studio and we ate there pretty much every day all the time. It sounds gross, but it was delicious!
But to answer the question more seriously, I think the greatest challenge of recording is maintaining the original spirit of each song.
Is there a song on the EP that you personally relate to most?
I would say “Help Me! Help Me!”. I think often times, you learn about yourself and your subconscious when you write a song. Though I didn’t quite recognize it, I was feeling blue and out of sorts and frustrated when I started working on the chords for the song. Then, when I got to the chorus the words “Help Me! Help Me” just came out—they seemed like the only natural thing to say at the moment—and I had to admit to myself that I wasn’t feeling very fine and dandy that day.
Can you talk a little about the story behind each of the songs featured on the EP?
Help Me! Help Me!—a surprisingly dark song, though it is masked by upbeat music and a bouncy horn section. It’s about someone who is struggling, and looking to a friend for help.
Those Days—okay, this song is about a day like this: you wake up late, you spill your coffee in the morning, you forgot your homework. It’s a pretty crummy day. But in the end, you realize that, you can’t complain because, even though that one day was bad, there is still so much to be grateful for.
Gone Away—This song is about dealing with loss and change.
Gravity—This is a song about knowing your own power.
Respect—Child! R-E-S-P-E-C-T! What else I gotta say?
OTHER
How far along are you to completing the full-length album? Is there a release date?
I’m very excited about the full-length album “Life in Letters”. I’ve finished recording the songs for it, and now I have to put on my planning hat—a very stylish invisible thinking cap—and start working out the details for the release. As of now, there is no set date, but it be released this year.
According to Mitchell Froom, the producer the full-length album and the song “Those Days” from the EP, you mapped out a lot of the background vocals and production arrangements. What was the vision you had going into the full-length album?
I wanted to create an album with unusual sounds and instruments, where somebody could listen repeatedly and hear something new each time. The vocals are also a very important part of my music and often times, when I write a song, I’ll have layers of vocal parts figured out in my head already.
Are you excited about your upcoming EP release party at the Hotel Cafe?
Indeed! I can’t believe it’s almost here. For those of you who don’t know, the release show is this Wednesday Jan 27th 9:00 at Hotel Café.
Will the party be private or are fans able to attend as well?
The party is for everyone! Fans, friends, llamas, you name it! That is, so long as the llamas and persons are 21 or older. And I know this is Teen Zeen, so I apologize for the discrimination…I am not yet 21 either…but it’s the rule.
How many songs will you be playing at the party? All of the songs on your EP?
It’ll be a set of about nine songs. I’ll be playing most of the songs from the EP and a few sneak peeks from the next album.
Will there be a theme for the party?
The theme is “Help Me! Help Me!”, but of course! There will be some decorations/ stage props to go along with the theme. There will also be a therapist in the back room incase anybody is truly in need of some help. One of these statements is not true.
What are some of the rituals you do prior to show night?
I pray to Muzakio--the voodoo god of mystical music. Well, not in all seriousness. I mostly just get nervous and excited and drink a lot of water.
Where can our viewers go online to purchase your music?
On itunes, Aimee Street, Amazon, Napster, and many more sites. The new EP will be up on January 26th!
Do you have an official Twitter account?
Yes, it is I! There are no Lucy Schwartz imposters….yet. http://twitter.com/LucySchwartz
|
Interviews 
