Amy Craze Interview

Amy Craze

Picture copyright respected holders.

Interview With Amy Craze By Chris 2/12/05

Amy Craze is a talented singer songwriter from
Canada.
Her music is fantastic and will go far with it.
So I needed to know more so read on.

Amy Website

1.How did you get into music?

I have always loved to sing, and immersed myself in group
musical experiences when I was a child (i.e. church &
school choirs)…my only problem was I had terrible stage
fright.

I cut and paste from an old bio my old manager wrote about
me to write the rest of this question:

Born and raised in Toronto, in her early years Amy timidly
turned away from musical endeavors. “I always wanted
to be a musician growing up, but I was so shy. Finally,
when I went away to Queen’s University and had to
decide my path in life, I decided to do something about
it”. By the end of her experience at Queen’s,
Amy walked away with a degree in Performing Arts, her grade
XI vocal certification from The Royal Conservatory of
Music, and multiple Queen’s Musical Theatre
productions under her belt. In addition to this, she had
started working with the producer Jim Huff from CoeHill
Entertainment in Toronto on her demos. She smiles coyly
“When I started working with CoeHill Entertainment in
Toronto and they wanted me to come work with the company in
California, I petrified but I knew I had to do it.”
Moving to California proved to be the catalyst Amy needed
to start her musical career. “Living in California
was the most creative challenge I have ever faced. As an
artist I think I am prone keeping my heart on the table,
and in this industry I found there were a lot of people who
tried to take advantage of this quality.” She laughs,
“I just tried to focus on my writing, performing with
my band and weeding through the sharks to find the best
team to help me along the way…in the end I think I
did okay.” Amy proves modest, for using her abilities
she networked and collaborated with acclaimed artists,
producers, engineers and musicians to create the material
for her first album. Writing with Gerald O’Brien who
wrote Amanda Marshall’s hit “Birmingham,”
and Jim Huff producer to Edwin, along with other up and
coming songwriters such as Oliver Pigott and Matthew Emmer
challenged and broadened Amy’s songwriting abilities.
As she took her work to be mixed by producer/engineers such
as Emile Kelman, assistant to T-Bone Burnett as well as
Mike Tucker who had recently finished mixing for Britney
Spears, Amy awarded herself the ultimate creative
experience. During this time Amy’s unique style and
sound captured the attention of Madonna’s brother
Mario Ciccone, who quickly stepped forward to become her
manager. This connection lead her to tackle her next
musical endeavor, to learn as much as she could about the
business side of the music industry and acquire herself a
position at what was then Madonna’s record label
Maverick Records. It is only now, when I look in her eyes
that I understand her music, how her sweet tones are
blended with such ferocity, this is what happens when a
pure artist learns to swim with the sharks.

2.What were your major influnces?

Seeing as both of my parents are from England, I grew up
listening mainly to British performers. The Beatles,
Dylan, Sandy Denny and the Who were always played around my
house…when I began to explore music on my own, I was
drawn to the work of Nina Simone, Jeff Buckley, Van
Morrison, Carole King, Joni Mitchel, Sarah Mcglaclan, Tracy
Chapman….and my current favorite is Damien Rice!

3.If you could have a three band bill who would they
be?

Damien Rice, Carole King, Nina Simone

4. What has the responce been to your music?

I have wonderful devoted fans, and so much amazing
support.I have been really lucky to have very talented
musicians, performers & production team helping me
out.

5. Where do you think you will be in 10 years?

Currently, I am caught between two passions: teaching and
writing music. I love how I can use music as a cathartic
tool to work through certain emotions creatively, however I
also love to teach. I love being able to see the impact
that music has when it is incorporated into a classromm
environment. Music can be used to help kids on a social
level, in literacy, and can bring the learning experience
to life. Last month I ran a writing workshope in a grade
2/3 class -When a boy with severe ADD, who was very
introverted -was the first to volunteer to sing his lyrics
in front of the class, and did so in a clear confident
manner-I felt I grew a deeper understanding of what music
is about…it is about helping others. I know I can use
music as an individual artist to acheive this feat, because
individuals are drawn to music when they can personally
connect to it (it makes them feel connected to the world
around them even when they feel alone) and or by using it
and creating music in a classroom environment. In 10 years
I don’t know where I will be. Hopefully I will be able to
combine teaching and a musical career. To do this, on my
own creative projects by night…in order to I intend to
maximize my knowledge and ability to use electronic
advertizing & distribution: ie…forums such as
myspace.com, yahoolauch, maple music …I know, as long as
I am doing something with music I will be happy.

6. Who would you most like to record a song
with?

Damien Rice

7. What made you want to go out and play
music?

Because it scared me. Music has always been in me. It is a
natural part of me, just the way that my emotions are
translated. But I had terrible stage fright…so doing
music became a way to challenge myself. Every performance
pushed me towards strengthening myself.

8. What are your thoughts on file sharing and the mp3
format?

I think it isn’t really sharing -because sharing implies
that their is only one original being cut in two. File
sharing should be called file duplication…or file
stealing…it isn’t really fair because the artist hasn’t
given permission for other to take thier product. There are
songs I do post for free-I love to share my music-at the
same time the life of a struggling artist is a hard
one..and a poor one-and if people just take what you have
to give and don’t pay for it-it is hard to support yourself
in that profession.

9. Do you think myspace is for good artists and
bands?

I think it is wonderful!

10. Do you think the internet is good for helping
artists get known?

Yes indeed -such an amazing global tool for self promotion
🙂

11. What bands/artists are you listening to
lately?

Damien Rice, did I mention that before…hahhah -George, an
Aussie band 😉 Sarah Harmer -another fellow Canadian

12. Who has helped you out the most?

My family -they have always stood behind all of my choices
& supported me.

13. If you could be on The Simpsons where would you be
playing?

One of Lisa’s groupies at one of her Jazz trumpet
gigs

14. What has the response been like for your music on
the web?

wonderful