Christina Fasano

By Alex Teitz

Christina Fasano is the funky white girl and winner of the 2000 Los Angeles Music Award for R & B. Fasano is a powerhouse of skill, and one of the best examples of an independent artist who goes to 2000%. Her latest CD is Spiritually Wet.

FEMMUSIC: Describe your songwriting technique?

CF: It varies depending on whether I have a prerecorded music tracks to work with, or whether I am sitting with a co-writer, or whether I am alone working up a melody and lyrics. But basically my technique only kicks into gear when the ‘muse’ hits me.  I try not to force any writing or creativity.  However, if I have music to write to, or a project to write for, I sit down and open to what the universe wants to say and it begins to happen.  But I have to have a quiet space and no distractions.  If I am working with a co-writer, we usually put a basic musical arrangement down, and then I go off to my quiet place and begin work on the melody and lyrics.

FEMMUSIC:  What was the biggest challenge making your current CD?

CF: Realizing that no body really cared about my dream.  That it was ‘my dream’ to make happen and if I wanted any respect or attention for what I was doing, that I would have to prove that I was worthy.  My art alone wouldn’t do that.

Great lyrics, great music, good voice, good look, shiny beautiful CD; who cares?  Selling CD’s, sold out shows, “OK…, sure now we can get behind your dream, give us a cut. We still don’t care about your ‘art,’ your ‘creations,’ but since the public seems to want you, we want you, actually, we want part of the money you are making.”

FEMMUSIC: What was the best experience making your current CD?

CF: Watching the music and lyrics give birth to the voice in my soul, and during the entire process, feeling myself develop as a full blown artist and human being.

FEMMUSIC: Who have been your musical mentors?

CF: Chaka Khan, Prince, nature, and everything life has put in my path either to bring me joy or challenge the hell out of me.

FEMMUSIC: What one thing have you learned that has helped build your audience?

CF: To stay true to the voice in my soul – to keep the truth of this in my music. People feel truth in art, and they respond to that.

FEMMUSIC: What one thing would you like to change about the music industry?

CF: To be honest from the deepest part of me, I would have to say ‘nothing.’

Because in the big scope of things, it’s most likely perfect the way it is. The power, the money, the big seemingly scary, wicked and corrupt machine will keep on rollin.’   I see it, at least at this point in time, as part of what artists have to overcome, and face and somehow persevere through.  It will either make you or break you.  Whatever the struggles encountered, for those who choose to take this big music path,  are just the struggles one has to go through.  For some, they are very intense and at times crushing.  For others, they are nothing.   It is an industry that is a complete mystery on one hand and complete joke on the other.  It will only change as artists continue to stay true to their art,  persevere, and show the industry what the people want.  If the people want your art in a big way, the industry will want a cut and begin to offer you a ride on their big corporate machine. That seems to be the game at this point in time.

FEMMUSIC:  As a woman in the music industry, have you been discriminated against?

CF: No, I have not felt this.

FEMMUSIC: What advice would you give to an artist just starting out?

Prepare yourself to be able to compete with whatever a major label would put out. In other words, however you present yourself to the world, make sure it is the best it can be from ‘you.’  Not what you ‘think’ anyone wants.  Play the game from your heart and soul, not from the surface of your skin, and make sure your product is as sparkling as it can be.  Your music and the form you present it in, is an extension of you.  So how do you want yourself to be seen, felt, heard?  Leave no-one second guessing.   Do not create a product that you have to make excuses for such as “Well if I had more money, I could have recorded my true sound.” Or, “This is just a demo and when I make my CD, boy you are really gonna hear my writing ability.”  Or even, “The producer

did not capture who I truly am, but I know you will be able to hear a little of what I’m about on this demo.”  NO… none of those will work.  There are way too many artists out there today trying to get heard and nobody is going to listen past any excuses you have to make.  So take your time to make a product you can stand proud with that says in a big way, “This is what I’m about.”

FEMMUSIC:  What are your plans for the future?

CF: To play live all over the world and show the industry that the people want what I have to give.