Interview : Emma Dean
November 16th 2010 09:52
Cabaret singer/songwriter and performer Emma Dean has just released her new album “Dr Dream and The Pop Cabaret”. An album that delves deep into Emma’s mind and releases her darkest parts behind the backdrop of quirky piano pop songs. Emma was delightfully cheery for 9 in the morning preparing for the albums release and impending birthday.
Hi Emma
Hi Jason. Is your surname really Strange?
Uh yeah it is.
Thats such a cool last name, you’re very lucky!
Why thank you!
(laughs) Do you perform?
No I don’t.
Aaaah it’s such a shame it’s such a good stage name!
Although my uncle is a doctor, so he is Dr. Strange.
Oh my god! Thats really creepy, I like it! (laughs)
OK, shall we kick off?
Excellent.
Tell us about the album “Dr. Dream and the Pop Cabernet”?
I’ve been working on the album for about a year now. I recorded it with my musical collaborator Ben Stewart, who also co-wrote some of the songs and wrote one of the songs. And it’s a look into the inner workings of my mind. For about a year I’ve been touring this show called “Emma Dean and her Imaginary Friends” and in was in this show that the character of Dr. Dream was born. So basically to give you a bit of history of the show, I work with three physical theatre performers who act as my imaginary friends, which act as a different facet of my imagination. So I’ve got my sensual imagination called GG, I’ve got my disturbed imagination called Henry and then I have Dr. Dream who is my imaginary, psychotic psychiatrist. So, the album is basically me in a room spilling my guts out to Dr Dream and I guess it’s a bit of a therapy session. Each song is like a different story. Some are really confronting for me and some are cheeky little tales that would come up in a therapy session! (laughs)
With your Imaginary Friends, do you sometimes go through phases where one is more of a favourite than the others?
To be honest not really, because they are really different aspects of my personality so I suppose it really depends on the day. Well maybe I do, for some different performances I connect more with one of the characters depending on if I’m having a particularly dark day I connect more with Henry. Each of the characters do a solo through out the show, so each have a moment to shine. But generally speaking, I love them all equally. (laughs)
I suppose they’re kind of like children in a way.
Yeah exactly! Well the whole show and I guess the album is getting in touch with my inner child. These imaginary friends are parts of me that I have suppressed through the years. It’s kind of like that archetype of the shadows of your inner child, your wild self with which is now coming to the surface and I’m coming face to face with them. It’s a very child like concept I suppose.
I got the album yesterday and have already listened to it a few times, it’s really great album.
Thank you!
Your welcome! One thing about it is your voice is amazing, are you classically trained at all?
Not on vocals. My musical history is that I started at a music school called when I was three years old. And up until the age of six I kind of just did basic kiddy music theory like “Who Stole The Cookie From The Cookie Jar” style games. Then when I was six I started violin, so I’m classically trained on the violin and I’ve got my A marks on the violin which is like a Diploma on violin. Then I played piano but I never really took that seriously, but I was classically trained on piano. I struggle with calling myself a pianist to be honest. Then I decided after high school to audition for jazz vocals at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music and got a Bachelor in Music in Jazz Vocals. So it’s been a bit of a mix of genres that I’ve studied over the years, but never classically trained on voice.
You’ve described your sound as “Pop Cabaret”, what artists have inspired the sound you create?
There is so many artists that inspire me. At the moment I’m particularly inspired by the German cabaret scene, no particular artists as such, just the genre and history of that Valmar Republic/Berlin/World War II aesethic. I think that aesthetic as inspired my performance and the content of my songs. But in terms of the actual music, I’ve been inspired over the years by Tori Amos, Amanda Palmer of the Dresden Dolls. I absolutely love Queen. Fiona Apple. There’s a New York drag performer/Cabaret musician called Taylor Mac who I was really inspired by at one stage. And also, I’m particularly inspired by the people that are around me. I find myself probably influenced by friends who are musicians. Ben Stewart is one of those people, my musical collaborator. A wonderful performer called Jacob Diefenbach who is a Brisbane singer/songwriter.
You’ve regularly released a lot of singles and songs for free on your website. Do you feel that’s something artists need to do nowdays to get exposure?
Yeah, I’m not sure, so I’ve been told. I think, you know the advice I’ve been given is that music doesn’t really have a monetary value these days and it’s what music gets packaged with is the money making tool. And I guess at this stage my goal is to get my music out to as many people as possible. And I think, currently for me, the way to do that is to give away free music. Let’s face it, people are going to find downloads for free and it’ll all been done illegally anyway. (laughs) Which is kind of annoying, but I figured this was kind of the best approach to me at this stage. And at the end of the day, the feedback I’ve been given is that people really do love buying a physical CD. Something that they can hold. So even though I have been giving away all these free tracks I’ve had so many pre sales of the album because people still really love really being able to hold their little sleeve and read all the credits and the thank yous, they still really love that.
Well it’s true, I remember as a kid sitting down and listening to the album and reading the lyrics and the credits, it helped you connect more with the music and the album, so it must still be nice to have that physical album to release.
Yeah I think so. And to me personally I really love it as well, so I understand that.
So, what are your plans for summer?
Well, obviously I’m releasing this album on the 12th of November and I launch it in Melbourne and Sydney and Brisbane. Then over summer I’m going to have a bit of a break! It’s been such a full on year I need to have just a couple of months off and get back in touch with things other than music, which I think is really healthy. So I’m going to a wedding in Adelaide and then I’m going to spend some time with my family in Brisbane over Christmas.
What are hoping to get from Santa for Christmas?
oooooooohhh you know I haven’t even thought about it. And it’s my birthday in a couple of days and I haven’t even thought about that either. I don’t really know what I want. You know what I would really love? I’d love an amazing performance costume. But I don’t think thats going to happen. But i really need a new outfit to wear on stage. But clothes are hard, it’s one of those things where you can’t be surprised because you need the person there to try on outfits and my parents are in Brisbane...I mean SANTA is in Brisbane (laughs).
Happy Birthday too.
Thank you. I’m trying not to think about it actually. Getting older.
It was my birthday last week and I made the foolish decision on making it a week long event and it pretty much ruined me!
Oh no!!!! How old did you turn?
I turned 31
Happy Birthday! Well done
I won’t ask how old you’re turning cause it’s impolite to ask a lady her age!
I’ll be 50 years old. There's alot of photoshopping that goes onto my CD cover! (laughs)
What can people expect coming out to see these shows, especially those who may not of seen you perform before?
Well I’d say they should not expect a traditional gig. They should expect a show! So I call my music “Pop Cabaret” so it’s alternative piano based theatrical pop. But it’s really presented in a very theatrical/cabaret way. As I said do perform with three physical performers so they’re with me. It’s quite choreographed, so there will be choreography, there will be dancing, there will be acting and there will be music. So it’s a good old show.
Nice, it’s something that is kind of lacking in live music. Sometimes you need a bit of a show, to break it up a bit.
Yeah I think so.
And finally, what would be the first song you’d put onto a mix tape?
Oh my gosh...onto a mix tape. Any mix tape?
Yeah if someone asked “Emma, make me a mix tape”, whats the first song to go on.
Well, the last mixtape that I made I had “No More I Love You” by Annie Lennox. So I’m going to go with that.
Well thank you very much for having a chat to me this morning
Oh pleasure, it’s been really lovely, thank you.
And enjoy the rest of your day, the album launch launch and tour as well.
I will. Thank you very much.
Hi Jason. Is your surname really Strange?
Uh yeah it is.
Thats such a cool last name, you’re very lucky!
Why thank you!
(laughs) Do you perform?
No I don’t.
Aaaah it’s such a shame it’s such a good stage name!
Although my uncle is a doctor, so he is Dr. Strange.
Oh my god! Thats really creepy, I like it! (laughs)
OK, shall we kick off?
Excellent.
Tell us about the album “Dr. Dream and the Pop Cabernet”?
I’ve been working on the album for about a year now. I recorded it with my musical collaborator Ben Stewart, who also co-wrote some of the songs and wrote one of the songs. And it’s a look into the inner workings of my mind. For about a year I’ve been touring this show called “Emma Dean and her Imaginary Friends” and in was in this show that the character of Dr. Dream was born. So basically to give you a bit of history of the show, I work with three physical theatre performers who act as my imaginary friends, which act as a different facet of my imagination. So I’ve got my sensual imagination called GG, I’ve got my disturbed imagination called Henry and then I have Dr. Dream who is my imaginary, psychotic psychiatrist. So, the album is basically me in a room spilling my guts out to Dr Dream and I guess it’s a bit of a therapy session. Each song is like a different story. Some are really confronting for me and some are cheeky little tales that would come up in a therapy session! (laughs)
With your Imaginary Friends, do you sometimes go through phases where one is more of a favourite than the others?
To be honest not really, because they are really different aspects of my personality so I suppose it really depends on the day. Well maybe I do, for some different performances I connect more with one of the characters depending on if I’m having a particularly dark day I connect more with Henry. Each of the characters do a solo through out the show, so each have a moment to shine. But generally speaking, I love them all equally. (laughs)
I suppose they’re kind of like children in a way.
Yeah exactly! Well the whole show and I guess the album is getting in touch with my inner child. These imaginary friends are parts of me that I have suppressed through the years. It’s kind of like that archetype of the shadows of your inner child, your wild self with which is now coming to the surface and I’m coming face to face with them. It’s a very child like concept I suppose.
I got the album yesterday and have already listened to it a few times, it’s really great album.
Thank you!
Your welcome! One thing about it is your voice is amazing, are you classically trained at all?
Not on vocals. My musical history is that I started at a music school called when I was three years old. And up until the age of six I kind of just did basic kiddy music theory like “Who Stole The Cookie From The Cookie Jar” style games. Then when I was six I started violin, so I’m classically trained on the violin and I’ve got my A marks on the violin which is like a Diploma on violin. Then I played piano but I never really took that seriously, but I was classically trained on piano. I struggle with calling myself a pianist to be honest. Then I decided after high school to audition for jazz vocals at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music and got a Bachelor in Music in Jazz Vocals. So it’s been a bit of a mix of genres that I’ve studied over the years, but never classically trained on voice.
You’ve described your sound as “Pop Cabaret”, what artists have inspired the sound you create?
There is so many artists that inspire me. At the moment I’m particularly inspired by the German cabaret scene, no particular artists as such, just the genre and history of that Valmar Republic/Berlin/World War II aesethic. I think that aesthetic as inspired my performance and the content of my songs. But in terms of the actual music, I’ve been inspired over the years by Tori Amos, Amanda Palmer of the Dresden Dolls. I absolutely love Queen. Fiona Apple. There’s a New York drag performer/Cabaret musician called Taylor Mac who I was really inspired by at one stage. And also, I’m particularly inspired by the people that are around me. I find myself probably influenced by friends who are musicians. Ben Stewart is one of those people, my musical collaborator. A wonderful performer called Jacob Diefenbach who is a Brisbane singer/songwriter.
You’ve regularly released a lot of singles and songs for free on your website. Do you feel that’s something artists need to do nowdays to get exposure?
Yeah, I’m not sure, so I’ve been told. I think, you know the advice I’ve been given is that music doesn’t really have a monetary value these days and it’s what music gets packaged with is the money making tool. And I guess at this stage my goal is to get my music out to as many people as possible. And I think, currently for me, the way to do that is to give away free music. Let’s face it, people are going to find downloads for free and it’ll all been done illegally anyway. (laughs) Which is kind of annoying, but I figured this was kind of the best approach to me at this stage. And at the end of the day, the feedback I’ve been given is that people really do love buying a physical CD. Something that they can hold. So even though I have been giving away all these free tracks I’ve had so many pre sales of the album because people still really love really being able to hold their little sleeve and read all the credits and the thank yous, they still really love that.
Well it’s true, I remember as a kid sitting down and listening to the album and reading the lyrics and the credits, it helped you connect more with the music and the album, so it must still be nice to have that physical album to release.
Yeah I think so. And to me personally I really love it as well, so I understand that.
So, what are your plans for summer?
Well, obviously I’m releasing this album on the 12th of November and I launch it in Melbourne and Sydney and Brisbane. Then over summer I’m going to have a bit of a break! It’s been such a full on year I need to have just a couple of months off and get back in touch with things other than music, which I think is really healthy. So I’m going to a wedding in Adelaide and then I’m going to spend some time with my family in Brisbane over Christmas.
What are hoping to get from Santa for Christmas?
oooooooohhh you know I haven’t even thought about it. And it’s my birthday in a couple of days and I haven’t even thought about that either. I don’t really know what I want. You know what I would really love? I’d love an amazing performance costume. But I don’t think thats going to happen. But i really need a new outfit to wear on stage. But clothes are hard, it’s one of those things where you can’t be surprised because you need the person there to try on outfits and my parents are in Brisbane...I mean SANTA is in Brisbane (laughs).
Happy Birthday too.
Thank you. I’m trying not to think about it actually. Getting older.
It was my birthday last week and I made the foolish decision on making it a week long event and it pretty much ruined me!
Oh no!!!! How old did you turn?
I turned 31
Happy Birthday! Well done
I won’t ask how old you’re turning cause it’s impolite to ask a lady her age!
I’ll be 50 years old. There's alot of photoshopping that goes onto my CD cover! (laughs)
What can people expect coming out to see these shows, especially those who may not of seen you perform before?
Well I’d say they should not expect a traditional gig. They should expect a show! So I call my music “Pop Cabaret” so it’s alternative piano based theatrical pop. But it’s really presented in a very theatrical/cabaret way. As I said do perform with three physical performers so they’re with me. It’s quite choreographed, so there will be choreography, there will be dancing, there will be acting and there will be music. So it’s a good old show.
Nice, it’s something that is kind of lacking in live music. Sometimes you need a bit of a show, to break it up a bit.
Yeah I think so.
And finally, what would be the first song you’d put onto a mix tape?
Oh my gosh...onto a mix tape. Any mix tape?
Yeah if someone asked “Emma, make me a mix tape”, whats the first song to go on.
Well, the last mixtape that I made I had “No More I Love You” by Annie Lennox. So I’m going to go with that.
Well thank you very much for having a chat to me this morning
Oh pleasure, it’s been really lovely, thank you.
And enjoy the rest of your day, the album launch launch and tour as well.
I will. Thank you very much.
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