Interview

Laya Fisher

Interview by Shauna Skye

I found Laya Fisher, and her music struck me as funky and original. Laya is the winner of the 2001 Billboard Songwriting contest, and was the writer/performer of the title track "Hell's Kitchen" starring Angelina Jolie. Though she's American she currently resides in Australia.

If you like poppy techno funk with unique vocals Laya is worth checking out. The following is our interview....

Shauna: Laya, the first thing that struck me about your music is your incredibly unique vocals. At first they sounded odd to me, but then really grew on me. I can't think of anyone to compare you to. If you were to describe your vocals to someone who has never heard you how would you do so?

Laya: A lot of people think there are heavy effects on my vocals on this EP, especially for "Scarlet" but the truth is I usually double the lead vocal with one an octave lower. This really low range combined with the higher tones combine to make an interesting sound that I guess some people interpret as different or as FX. I find it difficult to define my own vocal style, but some people have compared me to Alanis Morrissette or Tina Turner which is a compliment because they're both incredibly talented women. But I don't see the comparison.

Shauna: When did you decide to become a singer?

Laya: I never really decided to become a singer. I sang from a very young age everywhere I went--in the shower, on the street, at school sitting on the toilet. Oops, that might have been too much info. [grins] I think it was decided for me before I came into this world. I always had a very strong desire to open my mouth and communicate.

Shauna: If you had to choose an all time favorite female vocalist who would you pick?

Laya: Tori Amos hands down. Probably as a songwriter as well. She's an incredible performer to see live too.

Shauna: I think it's neat that you co-wrote and performed the title track for "Hell's Kitchen" starring Angelina Jolie. How did that come about? Anything you'd like to tell us about it?

Laya: That was a bit of a fluke. I was collaborating with a production company at the time and the movie was made by an independent filmmaker they had ties with. They gave me a synopsis of the plot and I wrote the song. The movie flopped in the theatres but I got to meet Angelina Jolie which was interesting. You can get it at Blockbuster now.

Shauna: Do you have anything in the works now that we should know about?

Laya: I'm currently working on my next album which should hopefully be ready by some time in 2003.

Shauna: What instruments do you play?

Laya: I play guitar and piano but the last EP was all digital based. All the instruments on it were samples; even the acoustic guitars. I like working in the digital medium because it allows me to be my own band. But next album we will have less electronic elements I think.

Shauna: I saw a photo of you on stage performing with a full band. Is this a permanent line up? Tell us about some of the musicians you usually work with.

Laya: That particular photo was not of my permanent line-up. I tend to work solo in my own home studio most of the time. I've done the band thing and it was too difficult to appease all the personalities musically so I prefer to work on my own until the production stage when I require fresh ears to open up the possibilities of where the songs can go sonically. I use a local producer by the name of Ross McLennan who is incredible talented.

Shauna: How long have you been living in Australia, and what part of America were you born and raised in?

Laya: I've been living in Australia for the past four years in BrisVegas. I am a Jersey girl at heart though.

Shauna: Out of the songs you have online the "Stepmother Song" is my favorite. It's funky, but lyrically it grabs me because it expresses the anger of a girl who has a young stepmother the father cheated on her mother with. I find myself really sympathizing with the "daughter" in the song. I am curious, was this song based on your own personal experience?

Laya: Thanks. It's one of my favorites too. Not all my songs are autobiographical. Some have autobiographical elements but are embellished. And some have nothing to do with my life whatsoever. But I never tell which songs are which. Once I put them down to paper I prefer not to discuss them anymore. I'm weird like that.

Shauna: Where is the best place to get hold of your music?

Laya: For those outside of Australia by going to WWW.CDBABY.COM/LAYAFISHER. For those inside Australia by contacting me directly: LAYA@LAYAFISHER.COM

Shauna: Is there anything you'd like to plug or promote? If so, the floor is yours...

Laya: Just my site WWW.LAYAFISHER.COM which has all you need to know: pics, radio airplay, fan artwork; and definitely check out the lyrics as I love writing them

Shauna: That's it, Laya! Thanks.

Laya: Thanks so much for the interest, Shauna. And rock on!