Interviews

Schuyler Fisk Unfiltered

By Marcos Bernal-Salas

Friday, April 11, 2008

It’s not often that I come across an artists that is such a breath of fresh air. That is the case with Schuyler Fisk who is now geting ready to release her first new album. She is at heart a singer/songwriter but like many artists has also dabbled in some acting, her credits there include ‘I’m Reed Fish’, ‘Orange County’, and ‘American Gun’ to name a few.

These days she’s gearing up for a couple of shows in the Chicago area; one at the University of Illinois on April 19 and the other at the famous House of Blues on April 20. It should be a great way to get to know this mellow and sunny new artist. I caught up with her for a quick Q&A and here’s what she revealed to me.

Q: According to your website and bio info, you began playing the ukulele at age 4. What other musical instruments did you find yourself attracted to?
A: I was always attracted to the drums. My parents got me a drum set when I was about 5 and I think they regretted it, because it was hard to keep me off of them!!

Q: What members of your family influenced your musical beginnings?
A: My mom. She was a singer/songwriter when she was younger and actually pursued a career in that before acting took off for her. She always sang around the house and we had tons of guitars. She taught me my first chords on the guitar and used to harmonize with me when I would sing.

Q: Your sound/music is very unique. What other artists now influence you? What artists have influenced your musical taste? A: Artists that influence me now are people like Regina Spektor, Feist, KT Tunstall, The Weepies, Sheryl Crow, Patty Griffin.....and growing up: Bonnie Raitt, Ricki Lee Jones, Crosby Stills Nash and Young, Tom Petty, Bob Dylan, Eva Cassidy, Ella Fitzgerald, Sam Cooke, The Beatles.

Q: If you have to pick one artist, dead or alive, to have dinner with whom would it be? And why?
A: Ooooh, that’s hard!! Can I pick more than 1 please!!! If I could have dinner with all the Beatles I would be over the moon. They are my heros. They made timeless music that is so brilliant!! Every generation can appreciate and respect their music. I would LOVE to collaborate with them….OH MY GOSH, can you imagine!

Q: What is currently playing in your iPod? Who’s your favorite artist right now?
A: Tom Petty, The Weepies, Wild Sweet Orange, Greg Laswell, Wilco, Yael Naim, Tegan & Sara.

Q: How do you balance your acting and singing career?
A: Not sure….right now just pretty much focusing on my music. I also have wonderful people in my life that help to keep me going in the right directions.

Q: How does it feel to be working on your first commercial album? What kind of music is going to be in it? Is it ballads, acoustic, or pop? Or is it going to be an eclectic mix of them all? A: Umm, wow. It’s really hard to say what excatly it sounds like…..ya know, since I’m so completely in the thick of it, I’m afraid I’m losing perspective….haha…but I’ll just say that it sounds like me! And man, it’s the best feeling in the world. I am so excited for this album to be finished and for everyone to get to hear it. It really represents me and who I am as an artist and songwriter. I have been working towards this first album my whole life and I am proud of the songs I have written for this record and I hope people will connect with them.

Q: What would you say to other artists/musicians that are still trying to break through? What would you encourage them to do? A: Write write write write write write. then write some more. You can never have too many!!!

For more info on Schuyler Fisk visit her official website