Fisher
Describing Fisher’s music is to take a dream, and turn it on its end. Besides being thoroughly addictive it is also thoughtful and intelligent. It is for this reason and many others that Fisher’s album ONE was named Independent Pop Album of the Year at the Los Angeles Music Awards. FEMMUSIC was lucky to have a chance to talk with her.
FEMMUSIC: Describe your songwriting process. How do you come up with your songs?
FISHER: Nine times out of ten, Ron comes up with the track and song melody first, then he hands a demo with a rough “la la la” guide vocal to me and says, “Okay, now go be brilliant!” Then I lock myself in a room alone with the track and try to fill his request. Every now and then (once a year) I come up with a melody for something, or he gets all brilliant on me and comes up with some great lyrics, but usually the song starts from Ron’s brain and I fill in the blanks.
FEMMUSIC: Who have been your major influences?
FISHER: They vary incredibly….Rickie Lee Jones, Janis Joplin, Bjork, PJ Harvey, Peter Gabriel, Tom Waits, Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin (From the heart!), Pink Floyd, Beck, Emmy Lou Harris, Lyle Lovett, Elvis Costello…I know I’m forgetting someone!!!!
FEMMUSIC: What has been your best experience in making ONE?
FISHER: The first time it was reviewed by a customer on Amazon was really exciting…When you make an album independently, you never know who is going to embrace it and who is going to write it off as self-indulgent crap! So it was great to have our first review be one from the embrace camp:)
FEMMUSIC: What was your worst experience in making ONE?
FISHER: The cost of the bar code! In order to sell on the net (i.e. Amazon, CDBaby…) you must have a bar code on the back of the CD…that little bugger costs over $500!!!
FEMMUSIC: As a woman in the music industry, have you ever faced any discrimination? If so, how did you deal with it?
FISHER: Yes, yes, did I mention “YES”? I deal with it by venting to my friends…and by trying to keep myself well informed on the business side of the record industry so that I can at least be perceived as “pretty smart for a girl” in meetings. By the way, why don’t guy singers have to watch their weight? I am constantly reminded of how important it is in this business for me to look good, and have to watch what I eat all the **cking time!!!:(
FEMMUSIC: What would you like to see changed most about the music industry?
FISHER: I would like to see labels develop artists again instead of getting their one hit and throwing them out the back door if the second album doesn’t sell 10 million. I’d also like to see the return on the “concept album” a la The Wall.
FEMMUSIC: What would you like to change most about your music?
FISHER: I’d like to get artier and more pretentious, but Ron won’t let me!;)
FEMMUSIC: What are your plans for the new millennium or what are your plans for the future?
FISHER: To merge what we’ve built so far with an experienced staff from a major label…but it has to be the right deal and the right environment…with more support ($$$) we could actually get product in off-line stores and tour…take things to the next level.
FEMMUSIC: What advice do you have for an artist just starting out?
FISHER: Number one…you must have a web site! Also, don’t wait for a record label to come into your life and “make it happen”. It is up to you to write great songs, record and produce them, put out your own CD, get a fan base started by utilizing the internet to the best of your ability, and then it is up to you to pick the right team to surround all that (manager, lawyer). If you make it through all those steps and a major picks you up, take the deal but pretend that the label doesn’t exist! You can’t just be an “artist” and create and let everyone else take care of the rest…you must develop the business side of your brain in order to maintain control of your career.
FEMMUSIC: What else would you like to say to our readers?
FISHER: The music industry is fickle and cruel…stay strong and be sure to surround yourself with intelligent people who not only understand your vision, but can help contribute to enhancing it. Like attracts like…