Kristilyn Robertson

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Interview With Kristilyn Robertson By Chris

Kristilyn Robertson is a great singer songwriter from
Canada
Her songs are fantastic and well I wanted to know
more

Her Website

How did you get into music?

I first heard Tori Amos’ album, Under the Pink, around
1995. A friend and I were so excited that we were able to
get library cards and immediately began to take out movies
and music. I fell in love with the album and wanted to do
what Tori did. I thought it was absolutely amazing that
someone could put that much energy and passion into their
craft.

What were your major influences?

Oh my. I would have to put Tori Amos on top of the list. I
had never been one of those girls who were caught up in the
boy-band crazes when I was growing up, so I tended to drift
towards what my older brothers were listening to. I loved
Dire Straits and Pink Floyd, especially and I soon
discovered bands like The Cure and Kate Bush. Now I am
really into people like Sarah Slean, Charlotte Martin,
Hawksley Workman, Jeff Buckley, Ben Folds Five, etc., etc.
And I can never forget the roots that I first learned on
the piano – the music of the great classical composers,
such as Rachmaninov, Chopin, Liszt, and Beethoven.

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

Wow – that’s a tough question! There are some great
Edmonton bands that I would love to play with, like Ann
Vriend, or Bryce Kulak. I think if I had to narrow it down
to myself, and two others, they would have to be Elly K. (a
fabulous Russian songstress) and Sarah Slean.

What music do you class yourself as?

I think I’m more of a lounge rock act. Think of a much more
tamer Tori Amos, with a few more strings, a few more horns,
and a few twists and turns of Lindi. I think it’s a very
eclectic mix of instruments in a style that is favourable
and easy to listen to, no matter what the current music
craze is.

Where do you think you will be in 10 years?

I hope that I have the funds and resources available then
to continue creating music. I want to be able to have my
own home studio where I can play out the sounds in my head
and slowly mix and dissolve them into the track that I hear
a song to be. I want to try everything there is in music
and see what I’m best at – if that takes more than 10
years, then so be it.

What has been your best gig you have played so
far?

My best gig was at the Backroom Vodka Bar in Edmonton. The
setting was an extremely small, smoky bar; the tiniest
keyboard known to man that did not transpose anywhere but
into the bass region; the bass amp that doubled as a piano
stool; and the countless glasses of red wine that I could
drink. Amazingly, however, the band and I played a great
show! I was really upset with the setting and the lack of
thinking that went into the show, but I think because we
were so close to one another on stage, we could all feel
the power oozing out of each other’s skin and we just gave
all that we had to give. It was such a huge adrenaline rush
that night and I wish I could do it again.

What made you want to go out and play music?

I don’t think that it’s something that you want to do. It’s
something that you have to do, it’s this drive inside of
you that forces you to get into your car, drive to a club
and just bleed your entire soul to a crowd of unsuspecting
listeners.

What are your thoughts on file sharing and the MP3
format?

I don’t think I would have had the responses that I’ve
gotten for my music unless there was file sharing and MP3s.
I wish that I had the means to produce a lot more music to
share with the music listening community and then I would
provide a lot more.

Who would you most like to record a song with?

I think the one person that fits my musical taste that I
would have a blast with is Bryce Kulak. He’s from Edmonton
and I saw him perform once. He played this song called
‘Pelican,’ which is about living inside a Pelican’s mouth.
It’s the funniest song to listen to.

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

I think so. There are definitely sites like Garage Band,
Sound Click, CD Baby, etc., that help unknown artists get
out there. And for a person like me who doesn’t get out and
perform a lot, it’s great to have the online community
supporting the music.

What bands/artists are you listening to
lately?

Currently, I am listening to Sarah Slean’s new album, Day
One. I am also quite into Rachael Yamagata, Charlotte
Martin, Hawksley Workman, Pilate, The Triplets of Belleview
soundtrack, Jeff Buckley, Sarah Harmer, Goldfrapp, Anne
Heaton, Andrea Revel, John Mayer, Radiohead,
Anameike.

Who has helped you out the most?

I would have to say the people that listen to my music have
helped the most. Without them, and without their
encouragement, I would still be feeding songs to my karaoke
machine and hiding in my basement.

If you could be on The Simpsons who would you be
playing?

I would play some crazy, Mary Poppins-type character that
Lisa idolizes for while, but then realizes that she’s
really an old coot living a Parisian dream.

What has the response been like for your
album?

The response has been wonderful. I really did not think
that I would have as many fans that I do, or as many people
who love my music that do. It’s been a really great time
and I hope there are many more years of it to come.

Kristilyn Robertson – The Uncut Version get it from
CDBaby