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KGRL Exclusive Emi Meyer Interview
Room 5 - 02.02.07
KGRL had a chance to interview the newly emerging jazz artist, Emi Meyer.
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KGRL: Can you give us a little background on who Emi Meyer is?
Emi Meyer: I was born in Japan and grew up in Seattle - so I speak English and Japanese. I'm a mixture of all sorts of things - rain, old temples, palm trees... For one thing though, music's always been a part of my life. I started singing and writing about a year and a half ago - which surprised everyone because I'd never sung before. But for me, it was a natural step- I'd written poetry and improvised on the piano, so I finally put them together one night. I'm serious and silly, bold and quiet… constantly changing.
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KGRL: We understand that you were classical piano trained. Did you take any other lesson to help hone your abilities further, like voice lessons?
Emi Meyer: I've taken two voices lessons in the past year, just to make sure I don't strain my throat. Other than that, the piano tells me when I'm not in key!
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KGRL: You're taking up Ethnomusicology in College. What is Ethnomusicology and is it something you took to help you find your musical identity?
Emi Meyer: Ethnomusicology is the study of music in different cultures. It relates to anthropology in that you study how music impacts a society. It's a great way to hear music you wouldn't usually be exposed to. Figuring out what speaks to me in music from around the world helps me define my own sound too. It's also exciting as a musician to think about how I fit into this larger picture.
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KGRL: How would you describe your music?
Emi Meyer: It's my way of dealing with the world. I channel a lot of my personal reflections through it. In terms of sound, it's singer/songwriter material that crosses genres, including folk-rock, jazz, and pop. I like to think of myself as a folk-musician, in that I speak from the roots; from life experiences.
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KGRL: What makes your music stand out?
Emi Meyer: I have to have substance in my music. I can't rely on just a voice or a catchy hook. There's a lot of music out there that is taking people nowhere or even in the wrong direction. While I express based on emotion, I put a lot of thought into how I write a piece. And I'm always learning. My goal is to write something that people can still appreciate years from now.
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KGRL: We do appreciate Jazz music, but not a lot of people do... Can you tell us, why Jazz? How did you get into crafting jazz compositions?
Emi Meyer: Jazz is underappreciated because it can be pretty cerebral. No simple I, IV, V changes. I think learning jazz only helps with songwriting because it gives you tools to improvise and create new chord progressions. It gives you a whole new perspective. It's an acquired taste in that the more you know about it, the more fun it is. When a family friend kept giving me jazz tapes in elementary school, I hardly ever listened to them. But then, I realized that playing in a combo is a fun way to collaborate with others.
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KGRL: What is your songwriting process?
Emi Meyer: Usually, I get the urge to express an emotion or thought. So, I'll either sit down at the piano, start singing, or scribble it down on a piece of paper. Sometimes there's a physical need to sing it or bang it out on the piano... Sometimes it's more internal and I need to think it through with words and rhyme.
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KGRL: Can you tell us who your musical influences are?
Emi Meyer: I've listened to and enjoyed so many people… but some I keep coming back to are: Cold Play, John Mayer, Thelonious Monk, Oscar Peterson, India Arie and Fiona Apple. Since performing publicly, I've gotten a lot of references to Regina Spektor, Norah Jones, Carole King, and Stevie Wonder. Some of these people I hadn't even listened to!
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KGRL: You started to include a full-band sound with Magnolias. Is this going to be something you'll consider writing in with all your future compositions?
Emi Meyer: Definitely! I still compose originally for piano and voice, but I am definitely getting an ear for how a bass or drums fit in. I like that acoustic trio sound, but eventually I hope to orchestrate more- maybe guitar or plucked violins.
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KGRL: Do you forsee yourself being in a band someday playing anything besides the type of music you currently play?
Emi Meyer: I like to experiment with jazz, R&B and folk-rock in my songs - and there's still a lot of unexplored territory there. I like the idea of incorporating some reggae.
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KGRL: Do you have any personal favorites from the songs you've written so far?
Emi Meyer: I try to make every song my favorite, or else it would effect my dedication to it. But I do really like Before I Was Born and Magnolias. They're packed with feelings and thoughts that are meaningful to me. I wrote them reflecting about particular experiences. It is interesting to revisit them to see what I think of them now.
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KGRL: How about songs you love performing live?
Emi Meyer: How I feel about a song has a lot to do with its meaning. Right now, Dear John really feels good to sing. It's about how just the way you look at things determines your reality- whether you see Satan or a Saint- it's not in the paint. (laughs)
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KGRL: Have you written a song with any other artist?
Emi Meyer: Nope. Although I jam with other musicians constantly- whether they're on guitar, djimbe, or saxophone…
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KGRL: Anyone you want to write songs with someday?
Emi Meyer: John Lennon… But seriously, I'm a fan of David Ryan Harris and Damien Rice - also Citizen Cope. I'm interested in working with people who share a feeling but sound different enough so I can learn and share with them. Working with The Bird and The Bee would be really fun also.
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KGRL: You were born in Japan... How frequently do you visit your country of birth? Have you ever played publicly in Japan?
Emi Meyer: I've been lucky enough to visit almost every year. My mom's side still lives there. I've never played there, but hope to soon- I'm actually trying out writing songs in Japanese. It feels like using a different part of my brain.
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KGRL: Any new artists you currently listen to?
Emi Meyer: I recently met Piers Faccini at his show and was really inspired. I like his unique voice and rhythmic quality. I also discovered Feist's Mushaboom. Right now though, the soundtrack to Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence is in my CD player…
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KGRL: Do you plan to go after a major recording label or do you plan to stay independent?
Emi Meyer: At this point, what's important to me is to continue writing while getting my music out to as many people as possible. A label that supports me and encourages growth is what I'm looking for. Whether that means a major or an indie… when the shoe fits, I'll know.
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KGRL: What is your current plan for distribution of your materials/CDs? How do you plan on selling your music, iTunes or CDBaby?
Emi Meyer: So far, I've been selling them at shows and via MySpace. I've sent CDs to places ranging from Tennessee to Germany. A lot of people have asked me about this. My CDs will be on iTunes and CDBaby soon - I promise!
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KGRL: Anything you are working on right now?
Emi Meyer: I'm always working on new songs. Even right now! (laughs) I have about three in the works…
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KGRL: Do you have any last words for our KGRL listeners?
Emi Meyer: Thank you for supporting KGRL and real music! I am honored to be a part of your community.
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Special thanks goes to Melissa Hanna (helped produce Emi's first CD) and of course, Emi Meyer.
Emi Meyer Link:
Official Website: http://www.emimeyer.com
MySpace Page: http://www.myspace.com/emimeyer
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