THE TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS OF MISS FRENCH PART TWO

What is your earliest memory connected to music?

I was four years old lying on the floor listening to my Dad play the guitar and sing. 

How did your passion for creating music begin?

I lived in a house full or music, we all sung and my  Dad played all kinds of instruments and made instruments like Double Bass, Celo, guitar, violin – anything he could make out of wood. I was always singing, playing the guitar and daydreaming about being on stage. I very much wanted to do something that would make a difference in the world. I started writing my own songs when I had something I wanted to say. The lyrics for songs  just came to me in all kinds of moments. Sometimes I might be driving and have to write the lyrics down, when stopped at the traffic lights. Sometimes the music and  lyrics came together and I would just sing an almost complete song.I recorded my first album in 1994 but decided not to release it at that time.

What’s the story behind your current music project?

I am very lucky to be able to work with my husband Opetaia Foa’i who produces and arranges the tracks and is a co-writer on some of them. My second and lastest album was a lot of fun to create. There were many new songs but some old ones and to me the messages of the songs were important and still relevant. I love the blues and for this particular album I wanted to include more Blues orientated tracks. 

How would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard your music before?

I have been influenced by songwiters like Bob Dylan, Joan Armatrading and Rikki Lee Jones and I admire singers like Billy Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald. I would describe my sound as a mix of Blues, FunkyJazz a little Folk and other.

What is one thing you’ve learned that completely changed the way you make music?

I learned to trust my own knowingness.

What tools, instruments, or software are essential in your creative process?

Just a guitar is all I use and my voice. I dont use any technology myself to create the songs. The technology comes later and I have been very lucky to have great engineers, analogue equipment and real instruments including an orchestra for both albums.

Which indie artist or song are you loving right now?

The Tedeschi Trucks Band

How have your personal experiences influenced your music and artistic vision?

I have been involved in music all my life. I have managed my husbands band for 30 years and helped with every aspect of the production of albums and the show. I have also watched many performers on stages all over the world. I guess I have seen and experienced what works and what doesn’t.

What emotions or messages do you hope listeners take from your work?

I hope they listen to the lyrics as I dont just write a song for the sake it –  I am communicating something and I would like them to get it.

 What’s the most important lesson music has taught you so far?

It is a joy and a privilege to be able to sing, play music and create. It doesnt matter if it is not world class – just do it for it’s own sake and enjoy it. Don’t compare yourself to others – just be you.

What is a dream venue or festival you would love to perform at? 

I toured Europe a number of times with my husband’s band Te Vaka and they performed twice at Ronnie Scotts famous Jazz club in London. I would like to perform there one day when the time is right. 

If you could collaborate with any artist, past or present, who would it be and why?

Joan Armatrading – the songs on her first few albums were amazing. “Love and Affection”, “Opportunity” – Her rhythms, timings and orginality has been inspiring to me as a songwriter.

Where can our listeners follow and support your music? (Website,Spotify, IG, links)

Website  www.missfrenchmusic.com
Youtube https://www.youtube.com/@missfrenchmusic

Spotify  https://open.spotify.com/artist/0EiMIcsWHEaQZpBU8t1D0b

Apple music https://music.apple.com/us/artist/miss-french/1144733945

Hearnow link https://hearnow.com/settings/w0alb03469757

Looking toward the future, what’s your dream for the next chapter of your musical journey?

I am working on a third album and on performing acoustic versions all my songs – just myself on the guitar. I would love to have a great band behind me and just sing but I think it would be good to have the ability to perform on my own also. I think now, more than ever, with AI and lots of fake music it is more important than ever to be real and be able to perform live infront of an actual audience.

What do you hope listeners will discover about you along the way?

That my songs are real and have a communication, that the music has great arrangements and talented passionate musicians involved in the recordings and that both the albums are worth a listen.