Interview
with Country Artist Sandra Piller
with Country Artist Sandra Piller
Lamitschka:
How would you describe yourself and the music you play to someone who
has never seen or heard you?
How would you describe yourself and the music you play to someone who
has never seen or heard you?
Sandra
Piller: I’M A COUNTRY SINGER! CERTAIN BLUE GRASS INFLUENCES. I LOVE
TRADITIONAL COUNTRY MUSIC, BUT, I WRITE AND PERFORM CONTEMPORARY
COUNTRY SONGS.
Piller: I’M A COUNTRY SINGER! CERTAIN BLUE GRASS INFLUENCES. I LOVE
TRADITIONAL COUNTRY MUSIC, BUT, I WRITE AND PERFORM CONTEMPORARY
COUNTRY SONGS.
Lamitschka:
How was the last year for you? What were your highlights?
How was the last year for you? What were your highlights?
Sandra
Piller: AS AN ARTIST, I RELEASED A NEW EP “LOVE GOES ON”…. I
COWROTE
Piller: AS AN ARTIST, I RELEASED A NEW EP “LOVE GOES ON”…. I
COWROTE
THE
SONGS ON THIS PROJECT, AND THAT MADE IT SPECIAL. ….. AS A
SONGWRITER I’VE BEEN PARTICIPATING IN “WRITERS’ ROUNDS”, AND
I LOVE IT!….WE’VE PLAYED IN NYC AND IN NASHVILLE, AND
SONGS ON THIS PROJECT, AND THAT MADE IT SPECIAL. ….. AS A
SONGWRITER I’VE BEEN PARTICIPATING IN “WRITERS’ ROUNDS”, AND
I LOVE IT!….WE’VE PLAYED IN NYC AND IN NASHVILLE, AND
IN
LA.
LA.
Lamitschka:
What is your latest CD and how’s it doing?
What is your latest CD and how’s it doing?
Sandra
Piller: [EP] “LOVE GOES ON’ IS THE TITLE OF THE EP. I’M REALLY
PLEASED WITH THE REACTION THAT I’VE BEEN GETTING TO IT…..PEOPLE
SEEM TO LOVE IT.
Piller: [EP] “LOVE GOES ON’ IS THE TITLE OF THE EP. I’M REALLY
PLEASED WITH THE REACTION THAT I’VE BEEN GETTING TO IT…..PEOPLE
SEEM TO LOVE IT.
Lamitschka:
What can you tell us about the songs on your EP?.
What can you tell us about the songs on your EP?.
Sandra
Piller: THE TITLE SONG IS DEDICATED TO MY LATE HUSBAND, MICHAEL.
Piller: THE TITLE SONG IS DEDICATED TO MY LATE HUSBAND, MICHAEL.
I
CO WROTE ALL THE SONGS ON THE ALBUM, WITH MY FRIEND AND PRODUCER JANE
BACH AS WELL AS SEVERAL WONDERFUL WRITERS FROM NASHVILLE AND
LA…..KELLY FITZGERALD, BILLY LEE, KAREN HART.
CO WROTE ALL THE SONGS ON THE ALBUM, WITH MY FRIEND AND PRODUCER JANE
BACH AS WELL AS SEVERAL WONDERFUL WRITERS FROM NASHVILLE AND
LA…..KELLY FITZGERALD, BILLY LEE, KAREN HART.
Lamitschka:
You co-write some songs and record songs written by others. How do
you go about finding the songs you perform and record?
You co-write some songs and record songs written by others. How do
you go about finding the songs you perform and record?
Sandra
Piller: I ALWAYS WANT TO MAKE SURE I’M CUTTING THE BEST SONG FOR
Piller: I ALWAYS WANT TO MAKE SURE I’M CUTTING THE BEST SONG FOR
THE
PROJECT., AND SOMETIMES THAT MEANS LISTENING TO OUTSIDE SONGS.
PROJECT., AND SOMETIMES THAT MEANS LISTENING TO OUTSIDE SONGS.
I’M
ALWAYS OPEN TO RECORDING OTHER ORIGINAL SONGS. THE COVER SONGS
ALWAYS OPEN TO RECORDING OTHER ORIGINAL SONGS. THE COVER SONGS
ARE
SONGS THAT HAVE BEEN HITS, AND ARE RECOGNIZABLE…..AND, I LOVE
SONGS THAT HAVE BEEN HITS, AND ARE RECOGNIZABLE…..AND, I LOVE
RECORDING
SONGS THAT I’VE CO WRITTEN.
SONGS THAT I’VE CO WRITTEN.
Lamitschka:
Are there differences in recording between your last CD and your
current EP?
Are there differences in recording between your last CD and your
current EP?
Sandra
Piller: WE USED A DIFFERENT STUDIO, DIFFERENT ENGINEER, AND SOME
Piller: WE USED A DIFFERENT STUDIO, DIFFERENT ENGINEER, AND SOME
DIFFERENT
MUSICIANS……ALSO, I RECORDED FEWER SONGS. I WANTED THIS TO BE A
MORE INTIMATE PROJECT OF MY CO WRITTEN SONGS. WE USED A SMALLER
STUDIO, THAT AFFORDED US THE OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE OUR TIME. I’M
REALLY PLEASED WITH THE WAY THE ALBUM TURNED OUT.
MUSICIANS……ALSO, I RECORDED FEWER SONGS. I WANTED THIS TO BE A
MORE INTIMATE PROJECT OF MY CO WRITTEN SONGS. WE USED A SMALLER
STUDIO, THAT AFFORDED US THE OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE OUR TIME. I’M
REALLY PLEASED WITH THE WAY THE ALBUM TURNED OUT.
Lamitschka:
What will your next single or video be?
What will your next single or video be?
Sandra
Piller: WE ARE ACTUALLY IN THE PROCESS OF DECIDING WHAT MY NEXT
Piller: WE ARE ACTUALLY IN THE PROCESS OF DECIDING WHAT MY NEXT
VIDEO
WILL BE. WE ARE PUTTING UP A LYRICS ONLY VIDEO ON YOU TUBE, OF “WHEN
THE LIGHTS GO OUT” IN THE MEAN TIME. THAT SONG IS ALWAYS ONE OF THE
MOST REQUESTED SONG!! IT’S A FUN, UPTEMPO LOVE SONG.
WILL BE. WE ARE PUTTING UP A LYRICS ONLY VIDEO ON YOU TUBE, OF “WHEN
THE LIGHTS GO OUT” IN THE MEAN TIME. THAT SONG IS ALWAYS ONE OF THE
MOST REQUESTED SONG!! IT’S A FUN, UPTEMPO LOVE SONG.
Lamitschka:
Do you have a favorite song among all the songs you have recorded and
if so, what is the story behind it?
Do you have a favorite song among all the songs you have recorded and
if so, what is the story behind it?
Sandra
Piller: I WOULD HAVE TO SAY THAT IT’S “ANOTHER CHANCE”…..
JANE BACH AND I WROTE IT FOR THE TV SERIES “DEAD ZONE”…… IT
ACTUALLY AIRED ON THE TV SHOW “WILDFIRE”…. (ABC FAMILY) THE
SONG IS ABOUT BEING GIVEN ANOTHER CHANCE AT LOVE.
Piller: I WOULD HAVE TO SAY THAT IT’S “ANOTHER CHANCE”…..
JANE BACH AND I WROTE IT FOR THE TV SERIES “DEAD ZONE”…… IT
ACTUALLY AIRED ON THE TV SHOW “WILDFIRE”…. (ABC FAMILY) THE
SONG IS ABOUT BEING GIVEN ANOTHER CHANCE AT LOVE.
Lamitschka:
Who inspires you musically and how deep do your musical roots run?
Who inspires you musically and how deep do your musical roots run?
Sandra
Piller: AS FAR AS TRADITIONAL COUNTRY MUSIC IS CONCERNED, SOME OF
Piller: AS FAR AS TRADITIONAL COUNTRY MUSIC IS CONCERNED, SOME OF
MY
BIGGEST INFLUENCES WERE, HANK WILLIAMS SR., PATSY CLINE, WILLIE
NELSON…….. THEN, COUNTRY MUSIC EVOLVED, CRYSTAL GAYLE AND THE
BIGGEST INFLUENCES WERE, HANK WILLIAMS SR., PATSY CLINE, WILLIE
NELSON…….. THEN, COUNTRY MUSIC EVOLVED, CRYSTAL GAYLE AND THE
JUDDS
WERE A BIG INFLUENCE ON ME AS WELL. CURRENTLY, I LOVE LISTENING
WERE A BIG INFLUENCE ON ME AS WELL. CURRENTLY, I LOVE LISTENING
TO
REBA, CARRIE UNDERWOOD, BLAKE SHELTON, DIERKS BENTLEY……DOESN’T
REBA, CARRIE UNDERWOOD, BLAKE SHELTON, DIERKS BENTLEY……DOESN’T
HAVE
TO BE COUNTRY: KELLY CLARKSON IS ONE OF MY FAVORITES! AND I LOVE
TO BE COUNTRY: KELLY CLARKSON IS ONE OF MY FAVORITES! AND I LOVE
LADY
ANTEBELLUM….TAYLOR SWIFT KEEPS ME YOUNG!…..I LISTEN TO MAROON 5
ANTEBELLUM….TAYLOR SWIFT KEEPS ME YOUNG!…..I LISTEN TO MAROON 5
AND
COLD PLAY…….MY INFLUENCES ARE ALL OVER THE PLACE….lol…..!
COLD PLAY…….MY INFLUENCES ARE ALL OVER THE PLACE….lol…..!
Lamitschka:
Do you enjoy today’s music scene or do you favor the classic country
music?
Do you enjoy today’s music scene or do you favor the classic country
music?
Sandra
Piller: BOTH.
Piller: BOTH.
Lamitschka:
If you had the chance to change something about the music industry,
what would it be?
If you had the chance to change something about the music industry,
what would it be?
Sandra
Piller: I WOULDN’T KNOW WHERE TO BEGIN 🙂
Piller: I WOULDN’T KNOW WHERE TO BEGIN 🙂
Lamitschka:
Artists have so many tasks such as recording, touring, interviews.
How do you handle
Artists have so many tasks such as recording, touring, interviews.
How do you handle
all
of it?
of it?
Sandra
Piller: I HAVE A TEAM OF PEOPLE THAT KEEP ME ORGANIZED!
Piller: I HAVE A TEAM OF PEOPLE THAT KEEP ME ORGANIZED!
Lamitschka:
Are you doing anything to take music beyond its current borders? Do
you have any special ways to reach new listeners?
Are you doing anything to take music beyond its current borders? Do
you have any special ways to reach new listeners?
Sandra
Piller: SOCIAL MEDIA HAS BECOME A FOCUS OF EVERYONE’S MARKETING!
Piller: SOCIAL MEDIA HAS BECOME A FOCUS OF EVERYONE’S MARKETING!
ADDITIONALLY,
I AM INVOLVED IN WRITERS-ROUND.COM…..A GROUP OF SONGWRITERS THAT
PERFORM ORIGINAL MATERIAL IN A “ROUND” FORMAT…..WE HAVE PLAYED
THE “BITTER END” AND “THE LIVING ROOM” IN NYC, NUMEROUS
VENUES IN LA AND “THE BLUEBIRD CAFE”, AND DOUGLAS CORNER CAFE IN
NASHVILLE. WE ARE REALLY INTERESTED IN TAKING THE SHOW ON THE ROAD.
THE WEBSITE EXPLAINS IT ALL.
I AM INVOLVED IN WRITERS-ROUND.COM…..A GROUP OF SONGWRITERS THAT
PERFORM ORIGINAL MATERIAL IN A “ROUND” FORMAT…..WE HAVE PLAYED
THE “BITTER END” AND “THE LIVING ROOM” IN NYC, NUMEROUS
VENUES IN LA AND “THE BLUEBIRD CAFE”, AND DOUGLAS CORNER CAFE IN
NASHVILLE. WE ARE REALLY INTERESTED IN TAKING THE SHOW ON THE ROAD.
THE WEBSITE EXPLAINS IT ALL.
Lamitschka:
Are your friends and family supportive of your music or is it a
struggle with some people?
Are your friends and family supportive of your music or is it a
struggle with some people?
Sandra
Piller: I AM BLESSED TO HAVE A HUGE SUPPORT SYSTEM IN MY LIFE….
FRIENDS AND FAMILY BOTH!!
Piller: I AM BLESSED TO HAVE A HUGE SUPPORT SYSTEM IN MY LIFE….
FRIENDS AND FAMILY BOTH!!
Lamitschka:
What moments in your career stand out in your memory as highlights
and
What moments in your career stand out in your memory as highlights
and
achievements
which you are proud of?
which you are proud of?
Sandra
Piller: HAVING A NUMBER ONE RECORD ON THE NEW MUSIC WEEKLY CHART WAS
EXCITING!
Piller: HAVING A NUMBER ONE RECORD ON THE NEW MUSIC WEEKLY CHART WAS
EXCITING!
Lamitschka:
What hopes and desires do you have?
What hopes and desires do you have?
Sandra
Piller: TO CONTINUE TO WRITE AND SING AND TOUCH PEOPLE WITH MY
Piller: TO CONTINUE TO WRITE AND SING AND TOUCH PEOPLE WITH MY
MUSIC.
Lamitschka:
Country music songs sometimes deal with disappointments in your life
but your songs are often very optimistic. Does that reflect your
personality?
Country music songs sometimes deal with disappointments in your life
but your songs are often very optimistic. Does that reflect your
personality?
Sandra
Piller: I LIKE TO REACH OUT TO PEOPLE IN A POSITIVE WAY….. LIFE
Piller: I LIKE TO REACH OUT TO PEOPLE IN A POSITIVE WAY….. LIFE
CERTAINLY
DOES HAVE IT’S MOMENTS, BUT I’M AN OPTIMIST….I WOULD HOPE THAT
MY MUSIC REFLECTS THAT.
DOES HAVE IT’S MOMENTS, BUT I’M AN OPTIMIST….I WOULD HOPE THAT
MY MUSIC REFLECTS THAT.
Lamitschka:
You perform in clubs in New York and Nashville as well as in Southern
California. When you’re away from home, do you have time to play
tourist?
You perform in clubs in New York and Nashville as well as in Southern
California. When you’re away from home, do you have time to play
tourist?
Sandra
Piller: NOT REALLY, ALTHOUGH I RECENTLY WORKED IN SYDNEY,
Piller: NOT REALLY, ALTHOUGH I RECENTLY WORKED IN SYDNEY,
AUSTRALIA,
AND HAD SOME WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITIES TO BE A TOURIST!
AND HAD SOME WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITIES TO BE A TOURIST!
Lamitschka:
Many music fans today get their information about artists online.
Tell us about your websites?
Many music fans today get their information about artists online.
Tell us about your websites?
Sandra
Piller: WELL, I HAVE A PERSONAL WEBSITE: SANDRAPILLER.COM AND MY
LABEL HAS A WEBSITE: SHADYHILLRECORDS.COM AND FOR MY CATALOGUE:
PILLERSOUNDSMUSIC.COM ALSO, TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE WRITERS’
GROUP I’M A PART OF: WRITERS-ROUND.COM
Piller: WELL, I HAVE A PERSONAL WEBSITE: SANDRAPILLER.COM AND MY
LABEL HAS A WEBSITE: SHADYHILLRECORDS.COM AND FOR MY CATALOGUE:
PILLERSOUNDSMUSIC.COM ALSO, TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE WRITERS’
GROUP I’M A PART OF: WRITERS-ROUND.COM
Lamitschka:
Is there a Sandra Piller fan club and how people can join it?
Is there a Sandra Piller fan club and how people can join it?
Sandra
Piller: ABSOLUTELY. TO FIND OUT ABOUT MY FAN CLUB…….THEY CAN GO
TO SANDRAPILLER.COM OR TO MY LABELS’ WEBSITE, SHADYHILLRECORDS.COM
AND CHECK IT OUT.
Piller: ABSOLUTELY. TO FIND OUT ABOUT MY FAN CLUB…….THEY CAN GO
TO SANDRAPILLER.COM OR TO MY LABELS’ WEBSITE, SHADYHILLRECORDS.COM
AND CHECK IT OUT.
Lamitschka:
What’s the best compliment a fan has ever given you?
What’s the best compliment a fan has ever given you?
Sandra
Piller: A WOMAN CAME UP TO ME AND SAID THAT SHE HAD HEARD “LOVE
GOES ON”, AND IT MOVED HER TO TEARS, BECAUSE SHE COULD RELATE….
HAVING LOST SOMEONE SHE LOVED. IT GAVE HER COMFORT KNOWING THAT
SOMEONE ELSE HAD HAD THE SAME EXPERIENCE. SHE DIDN’T FEEL SO ALONE.
IT WAS AMAZING TO THINK THAT I HAD TOUCHED A STRANGER…..AND HELPED
Piller: A WOMAN CAME UP TO ME AND SAID THAT SHE HAD HEARD “LOVE
GOES ON”, AND IT MOVED HER TO TEARS, BECAUSE SHE COULD RELATE….
HAVING LOST SOMEONE SHE LOVED. IT GAVE HER COMFORT KNOWING THAT
SOMEONE ELSE HAD HAD THE SAME EXPERIENCE. SHE DIDN’T FEEL SO ALONE.
IT WAS AMAZING TO THINK THAT I HAD TOUCHED A STRANGER…..AND HELPED
TO
LIFT HER UP.
LIFT HER UP.
Christian
Lamitschka ( Ch.Lamitschka@t-online.de )
Lamitschka ( Ch.Lamitschka@t-online.de )
www.MySpace.com/ChristianLamitschka