"Vocal Master" Chrissi Poland Interview
www.ChrissiPoland.com
Interview by Roger Zee (02/19/21)
Roger Zee: Who inspired you to sing and play piano?
Chrissi Poland: I started playing piano at my grandmother's house at age five or so. I loved to just feel the keys and make sounds with my own rhythms. I took lessons for about a year but didn't continue because my teacher, an older lady, showed no interest in my improvisational ideas and tendency to want to play by ear. At around twelve, I got heavily into 70's Billy Joel records and learned as many of his songs as I could -- all by ear. Such a huge influence on how I play and learned to write songs. I met him a couple of times but always choked up without saying much to him... :)
RZ: Talk about some of the people and groups you've worked with: Bette Midler, Michael Bolton, Scissor Sisters, Sam Moore, Ivan Bodley, etc.
CP: Yes, I count those as some of my most favorites! Such a joy and pleasure to sing with, tour, and open for so many incredible artists over the years. Some more of my favorites include Marc Cohn, Mavis Staples, Michael McDonald, Moby, Lady Gaga, Dave Matthews, Sheryl Crow, Sting, and The Fab Faux with Will Lee!
RZ: What keyboards and vocal mics do you currently use?
CP: When performing live, if I don't play an acoustic piano, I use my Nord Electro Stage Model. It's a tried and true piece of awesome gear. I like it mostly for the retro keys sounds like Wurli or Rhodes, and also sometimes for the electric upright sound with a chorus or delay effect to create a certain vibe. In my home studio, I use the Mojave mic and run it through the Apollo twin, into Logic. I love this set up and highly recommend it to any vocalist.
RZ: You've placed a lot of your original music on records, TV, and film. Tell me about it.
CP: Yes, really amazing to delve deeper into that side of my career. These days, I focus more and more on it. I placed songs in a few Netflix shows, including a fun one called "Girl Boss." Also, Bravo's "Girlfriend's Guide to Divorce" took a tune of mine. Most recently I landed a couple of commercial and film placements in Europe. I'm thrilled with these opportunities and excited to journey further down this road.
RZ: You just dropped a new single, "Down with Me." Will an album follow?
CP:
Yes! So we put out "Down With Me" as just a single. As of now, it won't go on an album. But that might change down the road. I released the single and video just these past couple of weeks. The song's a love letter to any musician, artist, or entrepreneur out there hustling to get their voice heard. The release went great and I'm excited for things to come with it.
RZ: Do you teach keyboards or vocals?
CP: For a long time, I intermittently taught between tours and when I had the time to fit it into my schedule. But since the Pandemic hit, many more people inquired about virtual voice lessons. So I built up a nice roster of students, varying in age and styles. Some folks want to focus more on songwriting, others more on vocal technique. I find it very rewarding and fun, as I love to pass down what I've learned and facilitate great talent.
RZ: How's the Pandemic affected you? What's on your horizon?
CP: Well...how much time do you have? Hahah! In all seriousness, it impacted us a lot at first, as in all the creative arts. I had booked a huge touring year, and of course that all got cancelled. My husband, also a musician, and I pivoted quickly and started working as much as we could from our home studio. Sessions keep coming in somewhat regularly, thank God. Between that, some grants, some sync and licensing success, and online shows, we manage to stay busy. I miss playing live terribly. It's my most favorite part of all that I do in the music business. What a glorious day when we can all get back into the full swing of things.
RZ: Describe your most special and/or most unusual gig.
CP: It's so tough to pick just one. Each experience comes with such a story behind it! Even the worst gigs, you can always look back and find something to laugh about! I'd say for one of the most special, singing with the Scissor Sisters at Madison Square Garden then walking off stage and practically bumping into Paul McCartney. He picked me up, gave me a big hug, and handed me a rose. Talk about hitting so many milestones in one night! For the most unusual, I have to say a gig where they flew me clear across the country to sing only two songs at a private birthday party. First class all the way. Can we all get hired for more of these very, very special gigs?
RZ: How do you see the future of the music business?
CP: It's so hard to predict. Always that way, right? I do see it much more rooted now as a virtual experience tied in to live performance. I also know that more than ever, you need versatility in your craft. So if you're a singer, you should also play at least one instrument, self-produce on at least a high quality demo level, understand the ever changing tech side of things, and always show up willing to give it your all.
RZ: What advice do you give up-and-coming musicians?
CP: Exactly what I said above! Haha. And in addition to that, stay true to what you do as an artist. The world will catch up to you. Set the trend, don't chase it!
RZ: Do you live with any animals (other than your husband, LOL?)
CP: Haha. Yes! One rescue pup from Puerto Rico. A scrappy little love named George Harrison.
Adopted through the Sato Project, an amazing organization that rescues strays and discarded dogs in PR and places them in homes all over the county.
YouTube - Down with Me - Chrissi Poland
©2021 Roger Zee
