Aoede (pronounced A-E-D) is an award-winning San Francisco-based children's musical stories and quirky folk pop artist who has made an impressive crossover into pop radio success with her debut single 'Fairy Tale Love'. Any why not? Fans of Ingrid Michaelson, Feist, Regina Spektor, A Fine Frenzy, Lily Allen will find much to enjoy in Aoede's quirky soprano voice and impeccable wordsmithing. ‘Is Love A Fairy Tale?’, Aoede's third album and fifth release, was the recipient of four Children's Awards, including an endorsement from KidsFirst, and was considered for Best Children's Album in the 55th Grammy Awards. ‘Fairy Tale Love’ music video was a winner and official selection in The Indie Gathering and The Indie Fest film festivals. Reporter Brandon Scott recently caught up with Aoede to learn more about this intriguing artist and her rapidly evolving real-life fairy tale of musical success.
BRANDON: When did you first discover your love of music?
AOEDE: I’ve always had music humming and thumping inside and around me! I can remember back to being a kid and being involved in children’s musical theater performing solos on stage as well as folk music always being played in my house and playing recorders or other instruments. I remember singing and acting at a very early age! I rediscovered this love when I started to write original songs and play guitar as an adult!
BRANDON: Your song 'Fairy Tale Love' has been a big hit on radio for its third straight month. What was your initial reaction when you first heard your song playing on radio?
AOEDE: I love that this song in particular is having such a positive impact on so many listeners: it speaks to the inner child in all of us and hopefully inspires, compels and brings joy! I am honored, and it is wonderful to know so many people are embracing it around the world!
BRANDON: What was the inspiration behind ‘Fairy Tale Love’? Was it drawn from a personal tale of love lost or found in your own life?
AOEDE:: True confession: I have never fully outgrown fairy tales and fantasy! I conjured up Fairy Tale Love… the kind of love we dream about when we are young but are told to grow out of when we get older. We girls secretly long for Prince Charming to rescue us, to sweep us off our feet. We still want to believe in magic and dreams. This imaginative tale tells of just what one girl would do for her fairy tale love and a happy ever after. It is one part Disney and two parts fractured fairy tale!
BRANDON: Did you come from a musical background? Are there other musicians in your family?
AOEDE: Yes! I always sang, and I played violin in 4th grade and saxophone in 6th before singing, composing and playing guitar and ukelele as an adult. My sister has played trombone since 5th grade and plays in about 10 Latin bands in Miami!
BRANDON: How would you characterize yourself as a musician? (ex. Down-to-earth, serious, fun-loving...)
AOEDE: Fun-loving!! Quirky and bright, inspired and compelling, real and honest. I am extremely driven, passionate and committed to writing, recording, connecting, and performing. I receive joy through sharing my music and art. So the business side of me is serious and the art side, childlike and quirky! Since I’ve started composing musical stories for young adults, I have been able to more fully get in touch with my inner child! Music is my lifeline. I cannot stop creating… |
BRANDON: The music video for 'Fairy Tale Love' is highly imaginative. What was it like creating and shooting the music video for this song?
AOEDE: It was so much fun to envision and carry out! The central theme for Aoede's music video for ‘Fairy Tale Love’ is definitely the Fairy Tale Book! I wanted to invite the viewer to come play along after the book flips open- as if they are transported into a magical fairy tale world. Pages flip after each scene, and the book flips closed at the end of the story… It was a lot of fun to make! There were three locations and then of course new animation and found footage. The locations were outside my own house in San Francisco for the garden scenes and choruses, the Musee Mecanique and the Carousel! Much fun to do the shoot, which was done over a few days in January 2011 :) It was my concept but definitely a lot of wonderful collaborators to video, edit and see the vision through, especially the animation sequences. I really wanted the book to fall from the sky and then flip open so the tale could begin. I did a lot of research on public domain archival footage and found 1934 Betty Boop Cinderella, which is featured in the video. Another collaborator found that sweet vintage footage (1911) that looks like paper drawings interspersed throughout, while another team created the carriage and book falling from the sky. It took over a year to complete, and I released it in April 2012: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NojEwwjBJSs My favorite parts of the shoot were walking through and seeing the old arcade games and love meters in the Musee Mechanique and riding the carousel as we shot the bridge. Also loved dressing up in my Cinderella Blue princess dress topped with a tiara for the choruses!
BRANDON: What do you find most rewarding about being a musician? What do you find most challenging?
AOEDE: I find the ability to connect with, touch and inspire so many people, adults and kids of all ages, with my music and art most rewarding. Aoede is the Muse of Song and and the theme of being a "Muse" to others who need inspiration has been central in my life! Especially with Internet, I feel I can connect with so many musicians and fans around the world and develop lasting relationships. Also, I enjoy being able to see how my career unfolds. Most challenging for me is finding a consistent funding source to enable me to continue to pursue all aspects of my art and music- recording, marketing, promotions, etc. as a sustainable career.
BRANDON: Who are your role models in music?
AOEDE: Taylor Swift, Ingrid Michaelson, Feist, Regina Spektor and Adele are some of my most recent influences and strong women singer-songwriters and role models. I am captured by their voices and believability. Their songs pull at my heartstrings. They compel and are honest and real without sounding like they are trying to be anything other than who they are. As artists, they are also successes on their own terms. I resonate strongly with all of that and find ways to incorporate elements that compel into my own writing. I feel my art and music is ever evolving-so I may not consciously write with these influences in mind, but they have helped to shape who I am as an artist. I am also looking to theater greats like musical lyricist and composer Stephen Schwartz (Wicked), since I am now writing fairy tale musical stories for young adults.
BRANDON: What advice would you give to young, aspiring musicians out there who are unsure and need guidance?
AOEDE: Dream BIG and often! Never let a little thing called life get in the way of your grandest dreams! If you dream it, put it out into the Universe, truly believe and work crazy hard to make it happen, your dreams can come true. Listen to your muse, believe in yourself, and don't be afraid to be a pioneer; if it hasn't been done before, pave your own path! And everything starts with great songs. Write and record what is true and real for you.
BRANDON: What's next for Aoede? Is there a follow-up single in the works? If so, what can you tell us about it?
AOEDE: Yes! ‘Days Like This’, with its ethereal vocals, is a hauntingly throbbing keyboard-based ballad that ponders “no one said the world, life and love would be so hard, especially when looking back on the magic and ease of being a child… but, then again, no one said life would hold so much beauty and wonder either.” I am currently adapting my last award-winning musical story ‘What Are Dreams Made Of?’ (www.whataredreamsmadeof.com) to Children’s musical theater and also embarking on my next recording project: a musical story that continues Aoede’s adventures in a magical kingdom, called ‘Do You Believe in Magic?’ (January 2015).
BRANDON: Excellent. I look forward to checking it out. Thanks for taking time out with me to share your story. I wish you continued success and good luck!
www.whataredreamsmadeof.com
www.isloveafairytale.com
www.aoedemuse.com
www.facebook.com/aoedemusemusic
www.twitter.com/aoedemuse
www.reverbnation.com/aoede
http://www.youtube.com/aoedemuse
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