Published: July 25, 2009 9:53 PM EST
By: Isaac Davis Jr., MBA (Juniorscave.com)
New Music Spotlight August 2009 Edition
Cheryl Catherine Smith
Cheryl Catherine Smith
Canadian Singer/Songwriter Cheryl Catherine Smith has created a unique and interesting sound that will leave music fans breathless. Her style of music is something original and refreshing that mixes elements of Retro Pop, Rock, Spoken Word and Alt Country into beautiful melodic tunes. Add the sweet colorful vocals of Cheryl into the equation; the outcome is something that music fans will soon not forget. Here is a recent interview that Cheryl completed with our Webzine. Enjoy!
Isaac: What has been the best part of 2009 for you musically so far?
Cheryl: The "Cheryl Catherine Smith" album Release; Completing four Music Videos to support the album and working with the fabulous Canadian Filmmaker Marcus Rogers on two of the four; "Smash Up My Telephone" Music Video (Marcus Rogers, Director) accepted into 2009 IMVF Ladies First Festival and is currently touring NA and UK; Our CD and Music Video Release Party at Vancouver's Media Club in March; Commercial Radio Airplay in the US for first single "Why Does She Hate You?".
Isaac: What do you feel has been the biggest accomplishment for 2009 so far?
Cheryl: Current US commercial Radio Airplay for first single "Why Does She Hate You?".
Isaac: Describe the music scene in your area.
Cheryl: The music scene and arts in general seem to be lacking in Vancouver compared to other cities that we've been to. Lack of interest and enthusiasm from audiences means fewer venues and thus fewer opportunities for artists here.
Isaac: What has been the best venue to perform at and why?
Cheryl: The Cavern in Liverpool UK was a blast for us, quite exciting considering its history and all! (And yes, we do know about the "rebuild"…!) We also met Cher & Asia's guitar player Mitch Perry and Dokken's bass player Jeff Pilson while there, they were both fabulous guys, so friendly and sweet and it felt oddly comforting to chat with people who had the same accent as we did!!
Isaac: Elaborate a little about whom were your biggest influences in the music industry and why?
Cheryl: I'm going to wriggle my way out of this one because the list is waaaayyyyyyyy too long! (My most favourite classical instrument is the harpsichord, does this help any?!!).
Isaac: Let's talk about what you feel that you bring to the music industry?
Cheryl: ME! One LA based promoter told me that he sees me as a kind of Joni Mitchell because of how diverse my artistic expression is….!!! I am also a painter, poet, writer, public figure in that I speak (& sing!!) messages of hope and inspiration to those in drug rehabilitation as well as in spiritual settings - which perhaps makes me a bit of a unique "Renaissance Artist"…!!!
Isaac: If you had an opportunity to work with one artist or group, who would it be and why?
Cheryl: Tori Amos, Yoko Ono, Bette Midler, Patti Smith and other such amazing women who dare to step out of what is expected of them and into exactly what it is that they know that they need to freely express as artists, in spite of any obstacles and/or criticism - they simply don't give a shit….I love that! ("Authenticity" rules in my books!).
Isaac: How would you describe your music to others?
Cheryl: Eclectic - a purposeful journey of emotion & imagination. My super brief "Elevator Pitch" would be something like this: "Imagine Pink or Pat Benatar singing Cohen-styled lyrics with the emotion of Bette, and then add to the magical musical brew of Retro Pop, Rock, Spoken Word and Alt Country." It would probably be best for all to listen to the CD so they could discover for themselves the musical journey that we created especially for them…!!
Isaac: What type of feedback have you received from your fans about your music?
Cheryl: "I love the CD! It's uplifting, joyous, powerful---I love it! It makes me so happy and inspired---I've already listened to it once and I'm listening to it again. Some of the songs make me want to get up and dance and others make me want to close my eyes and just listen." Elyse, NYC, NY.
"Cheryl's song 'All Dark Places' is destiny calling each of us to our highest potentials. The song MOVES me, goosebumps emerge and I am reminded and compelled to live fully and freely. It's #1 on the charts for me!" Cheryl Brewster, Founder www.theintuitivelife.com "One word, GREAT!! I love the songs, the vocals, the mix, the production. They are all terrific!" Candice James (Krazy Cat Records, Saddlestone Inc.) "A chameleon-like versatility…" Tom Harrison (The Vancouver Province) TAXI (Los Angeles).
A&R Reviews of "Cheryl Catherine Smith" CD: "Your collective experience shows here...well thought out lyrics and arrangement ideas...the blend, interplay between the vocalist and the band, is a big part of the appeal"
"The vocals of Cheryl are strong and convey passion - the song structure is tight. The feel is close to Classic Rock or Retro 80's a la Pat Benatar"
"I'm very impressed with your undeniably strong voice".
"This music is very "big" in sound and very dramatic in melody and story. This voice has the commanding presence of Bette Midler and having dramatic vocal delivery and tone. The wording at times is very poetic and dramatic - cool and vivid in imagery. The tracks are huge in production with strong musicianship"
"High quality work - great rock, gutsy and a really great vocal... very good productions, songs and performances".
"Good vocal attitude, creative song writing, solid arrangements and feel for Rock/Pop production; innovative imagery along with some prosaic rhymes"
"This does share some of Sarah Brightman's sense of theatricality. Good vocal attitude, expressive delivery, dramatic phrasing, descriptive imagery, inventive language - very good performances".
"The references in the lyrics are obviously from a cultured, educated mind. Very cool. Your experience in music is evident in the structure and flow of these songs".
"You have lots of good experience as a performer, writer and it shows - the dynamics, expression in your vocals is a plus on all of these songs".
Isaac: What can fans expect from you in the next five years?
Cheryl: I heard somewhere that you're not supposed to share your plans, keep them close to your chest so-to-speak so they can come true without any potential outside intrusion/obstruction, (even Derek Sivers wrote a bit about this in his blog recently!!) I love John Lennon's quote "Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans." But here it goes, a somewhat loose list - international tours; more album(s), books, music videos and original paintings; lots of love and appreciation always, especially to those who don't "get me" for I respect that while we all have our own "voice" not everyone will like what we have to say, and I also strongly believe that it remains our individual responsibility to use our voice without fear or censorship….
Isaac: Time for some Shout outs to your family, friends and fans…..
Cheryl: I send my Love, Blessings and Gratitude to them ALL! oxo
If I were to quote the lining in the CD for all the "Thank-Yous" here they are ("verbatim"!):
"Cheryl would like to thank: her extremely talented husband, co-creator and best friend ever Kevin Stuart Swain; Bob Richard for his creative genius; Yannis Fyssas for his Napoleonic magical touch; Scott Young for sharing his vast knowledge and abilities; Candice James for her support and guidance; Pete Harpen* for his sensitivity and generosity; the universal creative force which resides in divine love and light and has too many names to mention; the dark sides of anyone and anything, (especially her own!); her "Lofty Ladies" Cheryl Brewster, Jeannie Martin, Susan Ney and Heather Quinney; her generous and loving mother Catherine Smith; her brilliant son Shaun Zonneveld; and her hopelessly devoted 'jingle jangle in the studio' dog Ana.' "…and of course, YOU, for coming along with me for a bit of the ride. I love and appreciate you all so very much!"
*Note: American Peter Harpen wrote track 9 "Best of Friends" for his close childhood friend, actor George Clooney.
Isaac: Final Words…
Cheryl: "Even if I could I wouldn't change a thing, 'Cause the girl I am comes from the fool I've been, There are no mistakes and many paths to take, You need the courage and the confidence."
(Lyrics from "On My Way").
