Interview with Betsie Larkin
Pin ItGrandest welcome on Trance Hub. What’s your favorite (no, not a song) poetry!
I always used to love John Keats as a teenager. He has a poem called "Ode To A Nightingale" that really pulls at my heart-strings.
Your affair with the guitar is music discussed about in the interviews. So where did this inspiration to pick up a guitar come from? Who’s your favorite guitar icon?
I don’t know how non-musicians deal with the amount of emotions that arise in younger years. Music, and subsequently the guitar help me to deal with inner turmoil, and I discovered this pretty early on. I love Billy Corgan and I’m sure I picked up his style of strumming, and possibly more. Hearing great music inspired me to want to make my own.
As the trend goes, a lot of proven non-EDM vocalists give a chance to EDM singing – and you’ve done it too, brilliantly. Why the rock-to-EDM transition? Or let’s face it, do rock vocals complement trance melodies?
Thank you! I was very lucky to have the opportunity to work as a trance singer/songwriter. To me good music is good music – genre has very little to do with it. I’ve dabbled in a few other genres as well – bossa nova, jazz, dance-rock, etc. I try to keep an open mind and see if I can hear myself in the song. It’s almost like love at first sight – if the attraction is there, I’ll continue listening and see if ideas come.
If you’re given a chance to go somewhere, get inspired, and write a lyric, where would you like to go and pen it down?
My oldest sister and her husband have a house in Breckenridge, Colorado. I’ve written several of, what I think, are my best tunes while staying there. One, called "We’ll Be Stars" is the song that originally got Ferry Corsten interested in my work.
2011 has been a tremendous year for you already with collaborations from John O’Callaghan and Bobina. What else is left for you to accomplish, after a successful year?
Well, one of the biggest milestones of my career to date is also happening this year – my first solo EDM album, slated for release on Black Hole Recordings/Premier. It will feature some of my favorite producers. I don’t have the release date, but I’m expecting either late summer or early fall.
Is there a difference between singing in a studio, and doing the same before a large audience? Both need to be carefully prepared and rehearsed. Which one do you enjoy the most?
Performing in front of a large audience is the pay-off that you get for working hard in the studio. It’s a very special experience for me. I totally enjoy working in the studio, but I think live performances are an out of this world experience. I feel very blessed to have those moments in my memory bank.
How do you decipher this trend of solo tours for vocalists? Do you think that maintaining a separate identity from the producer is a must – as the fans tend to get carried away by the producer himself?
Just like the producers, vocalists want to make a living doing what they love. Touring is a big part of that, and as DJ/Producers can’t always bring us along, we’re starting to perform solo. It’s a cool time for singer/songwriters in this genre – Nadia Ali was nominated for a Grammy. Some vocalists are starting to tour almost as much as the big DJs. We’re recording our own albums, learning to produce, learning to DJ, etc. Hey, why not?
No interview with Betsie Larkin is complete without the story behind "Made Of Love"!
Yes, I think that’s true! I was introduced to Ferry by our mutual friend, Alan Stewart. Ferry sent me a few instrumentals, including the ones that became "Made Of Love" and "Feel You". After listening, I had the lyrics to both songs written within an hour. This is unusual, but "Made Of Love" was actually an old song idea that fit nicely over Ferry’s music. When Ferry arrived in NY, we spent the day at my apartment fine-tuning, arranging, and adding backing vocals. Ferry’s a very musical guy, and helped a lot in these areas. The following day, we hit a studio in NY and laid down the vocals. It was one of the easiest most enjoyable sessions I’ve had. Some things are just meant to be!
You are part of ‘Full On Ferry’. How does it feel to sing to such a massive audience and what compliments do you get for such performances?
When I went in for sound-check the day before the gig, I was shocked at the size of Ahoy Rotterdam. The biggest artists in the world perform there when they do a show in Rotterdam. That was also my first time performing in front of a trance audience and, I have to say, it makes all the difference. They are so warm and enthusiastic, and I couldn’t believe they knew all the words even though it was just a few days after the song was made public. It was a beautiful night that I will always remember.
We always ask DJs how technology has changed music over the years; do you think it helps vocalists in any ways? Do you think it reduces the "distance" factor and helps you collaborate with artists around the world without hassles?
It’s pretty amazing that we can write, record, and release music without ever being in the same room. That said, I really appreciate the in-person interaction. The songs that I write are very personal, and it feels strange sometimes sending them across the internet to someone I’ve never met. I will always take the jam session over a Skype/email collab. I think it’s better for the music as well. Something happens when two artists are in the same room together.
Which are the destinations you’re looking forward to tour in the remaining year?
Well, I’m off to Beirut tonight for a show at Chocolate Club on Friday, June 24th. On Saturday, I’m performing at Webster hall in NY – Did I mention I’m also a time-traveller? :) After that I have a few dates in Russia with Bobina to promote "You Belong To Me". More dates on hold, so definitely check back on Twitter, FB, and my website.
So maybe, here’s an opportunity for you to tell us everything about your forthcoming album this year. The tracks, the inspirations and artists to start with.
The title, ‘All We Have Is Now’, is pretty much a reminder to appreciate the moments. In every moment, there are things that aren’t perfect, and things that are beyond perfection. I believe my life is more about the approach I take, than the events. In this title, I’m willing myself and others to approach each moment as though "tomorrow" has no bearing. As for the details, we haven’t set the release date, and the label has asked me to keep my lips sealed until a few more ends are tied up. I promise to keep you informed!
Message for your fans.
Thank you so much for supporting me – your messages, tweets, and comments are a big part of why I do this. I dedicate my first solo EDM album to you… I didn’t know you were out there, and you didn’t know about me, but now that we’ve been introduced, I think it will be a long friendship ;) xxoo, Betsie.
Thank you for your time, hope to see you soon.
For more info related to Betsie Larkin check out the following links:
www.betsielarkin.com
www.twitter.com/betsielarkin
www.facebook.com/pages/Betsie-Larkin/71790083272
www.soundcloud.com/betsielarkin
