|
What role does being a female take on your career?
I made it possible for female DJs to play in the same room with boys. That was the thing that I pushed the envelope on and broke the mode. Before I came along they were stuck in the back room playing with the other girls. That is the thing I am most proud of — breaking those boundaries down in the Drum N Base genre. Saying look I’m just as good and I want to play in the same room and get the same money. In 1989 that was unheard of.
What personality and characteristics do you think you need to be successful in the music industry?
To be successful in the music industry you have to do nothing but eat shit and breath music and have no life — No boyfriend, no sex, no anything — just work. You just really have to be driven and focused. Work and be determined and relentless. You’re glad to have sex when you can. If you’re the kind of girl that doesn’t want to leave your boyfriend at home when you go away, then this isn’t the job for you. It’s a lot of time touring on your own. You have to be that kind of personality to deal with that.
So I take it your single.
I don’t like that word single. It makes you feel like your inadequate unless you have a partner. I have fun whenever I want. I’d rather not be attached. I’m free, I don’t want a boyfriend and I want to be able to come and go as I please. Until someone else comes along and makes me think otherwise. I haven’t found anyone quite worth it yet (laughs).
How many SINGLES have you produced?
Probably 30 or 40 singles.
What motivated you to start your own label?
Proper Talent was a label that came about because I sold so many records and never really got paid. I was sick and tired of producing records for other people. So I opened my own label and just finally started to make money myself.
You play the piano for about six hours a day. What motivates you to play for so long?
Just because you love something you do it. I was training. When your constantly training you’re playing for about four hours.
How have you promoted yourself?
You just have to have a really good team of people around you: good publicity; good managers; good agents. You have to work your ass off and go wherever you have to go and tour relentlessly. It takes teams of people, it’s not just about you promoting yourself. You have to have management and agents. Everything you do is promotion from the Twix commercial I just did to the Calvin Klein. Every time you play, you promote yourself.
How do you think you got your foot in the door?
Just persistence, just constantly believing in your self. There wasn’t one particular instance that suddenly I got a lucky break and that was it, everyone knew who I was.
What are your future goals?
Usual stuff. World Domination.
By Alisha Alexander
|
