Interview with Sheri Miller

So I got a message on twitter last week from Sheri Miller asking me to review her album and I asked if she'd be willing to do an interview to go a long with it so here it is! She is so sweet and such a fun person. Not to mention she is also extremely talented (is it just me or does she remind anyone else of Jewel?!). So enjoy the interview and don't forget to check out her music(Links to all her sites at bottom of page)

1.So first tell me a little bit about you. Were did you grow up and your background and how you got started in music?

Nice to meet you, btw. Wow. Where to start? Ok, I grew up in Long Island, New York, in a musical household.  My mom used to be an opera singer and she’d wail every night these beautiful operatic arias from La Boheme, and play amazing classical piano.  My uncle was a recording engineer in LA, and he sent me mixtapes of The Beatles, Pink Floyd, Joan Osborne, Hungarian Gypsy music, Prince, Led Zeppelin, Etta James.

I’ve written songs since I can remember, to be honest, probably when I first learned how to write my name, at age 6, 7 or 8.  I actually still have these handwritten songbooks, stapled a hundred times with kid staples; pages of songs I handwrote when I was 8 years old.  I was writing love songs, back then, with notes written out, and little hieroglyphic dots for melody.  I wish I could show you all!  Maybe I’ll post a photo of this songbook on my website or facebook one day.

2.Have you always wanted a career in music?

I never wanted it.  It just sort of naturally happened to me.  Here’s a quick story of this little miracle, a spiritual little story that gently pushed me into music.

“On a surreal Sunday afternoon in Philadelphia, something magical happened to Sheri, changing her life. "I had been writing songs in my room for months, which was a 20-minute walk from the jazz music room, which had all the practice pianos. And I knew I was definitely not writing enough because it was such a big hassle to walk all those long blocks downtown. Over the next couple of months, I started dreaming steadily at night, about keyboards, about buying a used keyboard. I clearly remember one Saturday night in particular, I had an extremely vivid dream about this small black, white and gray Casio keyboard. The next morning I woke up with the image of the keyboard still clear in my mind, and took a different more scenic route that day, through an underpass of green trees. So I’m walking, and there’s this one-day church sale, where they had the exact Casio keyboard I had dreamed of the night before. I quickly ran to the ATM, bought the keyboard for $20 and started seriously writing my songs on that sweet, broken-keyed, buzzing Casio from that day on.”

3.Growing up who were some of your musical influences and are they the same today?

Well, some are.  I used to listen to The Beach Boys, The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, Tom Petty, Paul Simon, Billy Joel.  My mom used to blast Bruce Springsteen’s record “Born in The U.S.A.” on the stereo, and every song seeped into my heart.

When I was 15, I was obsessed with Bonnie Raitt, and later singers like Bessie Smith, and Freddie King.

Today I love all music with passion and authenticity.  I love true art.  I love The Beatles, Imogen Heap, Lucinda Williams, Ron Sexsmith, Neil Young, Jimi Hendrix, The Killers, Death Cab for Cutie, Marion LoGuidice, Jill Sobule,  James Maddock, Ella Fitzgerald, Etta James.  I think there’s so much incredible music out there now.  And I love to support others’ music and art too.  I have a lot of love to give. 
4.where do you call home?

I live in New York City, in a great little apartment.  I travel to L.A. and Nashville a bit, and always have the urge to travel. I’m a gypsy spirit, with an “urge to go” as Joni Mitchell says.  I’d love to meet all you kind readers, one day…

 5.If you could tour with anyone who would that be?

Who would I love to tour with? I think it would be fun to tour with Rachael Yamagata, she seems like a pretty cool lady.  Maybe Amos Lee, Jason Mraz, John Mayer or Tim Fagan.  As long as there’s no loud snoring, I’m happy. 
 
6.If you could sing a duet with anyone who would it be?

I would adore to sing a duet with Willie Nelson. Or Sufjan Stevens. Or Neil Diamond. Or Lucinda Williams. Or anyone up and coming who has soul, and could have a musical conversation, that’s pure and simple.

7.What are the five things you can’t live without?

my Apple laptop computer.  It’s my new lover.
My vintage 1969 guild/ gibson sunburst electric acoustic guitar.
My Secret Deodorant (fresh water orchid)
my dark chocolate bars. I go 73% dark. I’m hardcore J
my starbucks via packs of coffee.  i’m obsessed with good, instant coffee.  I’m a caffeine fiend.
 
8.What is your favorite song to turn up and sing as loud as you can when no one is around?

Awesome question.  Probably “You Make Me Feel (Like A Natural Woman)” or “Dr. Feelgood” Aretha version. 
9.What is your favorite song on your new album and why?

Hmmm…tough question.  I love them all.  There’s a mysterious channeling power, for me, when I really tune into write. It’s very mystical.  I guess my favorite is the next song I haven’t written yet.

10.For readers who have never heard your music, can you explain your sound in 5 word?

Melodic, soulful, passionate, heartfelt, honest
 11.If I was to turn on your ipod right now, what five artists/songs would I see on your recently played list?

Ok.  I’m doing that right now on my iPod.  So here’s what actually comes up on Shuffle!  Live experiment, peeps!!  I’m curious to see what comes up! 

1. The Beatles “Dig A Pony”
2. Jack Johnson “If I Had Eyes”
3. Emmylou Harris “Wayfaring Stranger”
4. Tom Waits “ ‘Til The Money Runs Out”
5. Death Cab For Cutie “Crooked Teeth”

and last one…I couldn’t reisist…
6. Jeff Buckley- “Hallelujah”

12.What can we expect from you in the future?

I’m ready to record again, even though I’m just releasing my new record “Winning Hand”!  I have another 15 songs I’m ready to record. So keep an eye out for new records coming soon.  And become a better songwriter, more honest and simple.  More soulful, more myself.  Being a better musician, piano player and guitar player.  I want to be truer at what I do.

13.When you aren't working on your music what do you enjoy doing?

I love running by rivers, watching movies with lightly buttered popcorn, walking in nature, eating fish tacos, going vintage store shopping, listening to other artists play music live, reading novels. I’m a huge, huge reader. I love Arundhati Roy’s books, Maya Angelou, Barbara Kingsolver, and Charles Bukowski.
 
14.What is one thing that you want people to walk away with  after listening to your music?

To feel a little something.  Whatever that is for you.  To be more in touch with yourself, to be taken on a miniature little journey.  To dream big.  Life is way too short.  Love yourself, love others.  Be happy. 

Thanks so much for reading my interview, and thanks, Meleea!


Please support Sheri’s new record, “Winning Hand.”
Purchase it NOW here:
On ITUNES
On AMAZON
On CD BABY

And check out her sites here. TWITTER, FACEBOOK, YOUTUBE and her WEBSITE