Interview With "Momsician" Kyler England and Other Fun Stuffs!

Hi, Kyler!  I’m so excited … and a bit nervous … to have the opportunity to interview you.  Actually, I’m having a totally geek-out fan-girl moment, because you’re my fave music artist!  Thank you so much for taking a few moments to chat with me today.  I know my readers and fans will love your music as much as I do.  So, let’s get started!

You’re sweet J

·         When did you know you wanted to be a musician and vocalist?

There’s never been a time in my life that I didn’t sing, it’s always been a very natural part of my life.  As far as when I knew for sure I wanted to be a professional musician, that would be during my sophomore year in college after a summer internship in chemical engineering that I loathed, and after having been dumped by my first college boyfriend shortly after said internship.  For the first time I really stared my future in the face and saw the potential for happiness and also regret.  There’s nothing like the fear of being miserable to give you the courage you need to make a great leap!

·         Is there a musician who inspires you?

Many!  These days my friends that I work with inspire me the most.  As far as well known artists, I’ve loved listening to Ellie Goulding’s evolution over the last few years.  Joni Mitchell is a long time hero.  And I love what indie artist Katie Herzig is doing, her last two albums have been gorgeous and she’s making quite the career for herself with film and TV licensing.

·         What is a normal day like for you?

Now that I’m a mom (I like to call myself a “momsician”), there’s no such thing as normal anymore.  All bets are off!  Some days I have childcare so I can work on writing and recording.  A lot of days I work when my daughter is napping and after bedtime.  I grab time where I can.  It’s a tight rope balancing act between music and motherhood but I love it and wouldn’t have it any other way.

·         What is the most exciting thing to happen to you as a musician and vocalist?

A song I wrote and collaborated on with legendary DJ, Tiesto, called “Take Me” was released last year and has gotten a lot of attention.  It gets played in clubs and at festivals all over the world by DJs while I’m home in LA doing more songwriting and being a mom.  I love that I don’t have to be away from my home and my family and the song is still out there being heard by tons of people.  I want to do more of that!

·         What was the most difficult thing to happen to you as a musician and vocalist?

I can’t think of one specific thing.  In general, there’s a need for constant reevaluation of goals and priorities and that’s hard.  There have been various disappointments along the way.  But equal numbers of pleasant surprises to be grateful for.  At the end of the day if I get to keep making music for a living and for a life, that to me is success.

·         What advice would you give to someone who wishes to be a musician or vocalist one day?

Work really really hard.  Harder than everyone else.  Both at your craft and at learning the music business. If you know in your heart of hearts that you want to be a professional musician and you have the talent and stomach for it, don’t give up!  And don’t put all your eggs in one basket.  Have lots of eggs in multiple baskets.  That could mean writing songs for various different projects.  Being an artist in more than one genre.  Doing session work etc. 

·         What was your inspiration for 'When the World Stops Spinning'?

When I sat down at the piano that day, I had an urge to write something epic.  The image of some recent fires in the hills in LA was on my mind.  The air had been smokey and you could see them burning along the ridge lines at night.  It all felt a bit apocalyptic.  So that's where the opening verse comes from.  That collided with the realization that one of my greatest hopes in life is to be lucky enough to grow old with the man I love.  To be together until the end of the world.  And that's how my apocalyptic love song "When The World Stops Spinning" came to be.

• Do you have time to watch TV?  If so, what is your favorite show?

Thanks to Hulu I watch far more TV than I ever did before the advent of streaming.  I never watch live TV anymore!  I’ve been pretty caught up in The Good Wife as of late.  I’m in the middle of Season 5 and am shocked by the turn of events with the characters.  I also love Reign…sexy people in gorgeous period costumes with soap opera story lines= fun.  And I keep up with a couple comedies, The Mindy Project and Modern Family, both of which make me guffaw.

·         Is there a specific place where you feel the most creative when you’re writing music?

Ironically it’s usually when I’m away from my piano or guitar.  Sometimes it’s driving, sometimes it’s when I’m out for a walk.  Inspiration hits when the part of my brain that wants to wander is occupied.  I’ve written whole songs in my head while walking for exercise.

·         Of the three of my books, CICADA is my favorite, because of how free I felt while writing it.  Which of your albums is your favorite?  Why?

I think like a lot of artists, my favorite recording of mine is always my most recent.  Probably because the lyrics are most reflective of my current world.  So right now my favorite recording of mine is my new EP, Golden.

·         When it comes to reading, what is your favorite genre?  What are you top three favorite books?

  

I like fiction and more specifically emotional dramas.  I don’t think that’s an official genre J, but I love books about families and the layers of history that define and either tether or tear apart generations.  I’m the worst at all time top favorite lists.  Recently one of my favorite books was History of Love by Nicole Krauss.  Gorgeous prose and surprising story arc.  I also loved Wonder by R. J. Palacio.  An all time favorite is East of Eden by John Steinbeck.

Thank you, Kyler, for the chance to introduce you to my lovely readers and fans and for offering a copy of your CD, Electric Hum, as part of the Grand Prize for my blog tour giveaway. :-)

Lovelies, here's your chance to check out Kyler's music.  I know you'll love it as much as I do.  In fact, her beautiful song, "When the World Stops Spinning" is the official song for Monarch.

Isn't that the most beautiful song you've ever heard?  I bet I've listened to it a gazillion times!

By now, I know you're wanting the link to where you can purchase Kyler's music.  I just so happen to have it in my trusty bag of goodies!

I've been perusing the interwebs this week, and I happened upon a very interesting thing called Thunderclap.  So, I thought I'd sign up and see if I can make a Thuderclap heard around the world.  Joining my Thunderclap is FREE for you, and it helps spread the word about Monarch.  Won't you join my Thunderclap and help me brew up a storm?

I love my readers and fans! <3

~Belle