Ecco qui un'intervista fatta a DeeDee il 28 Giugno 2008.. Vi riportiamo l'articolo originale in inglese ma presto avrete a disposizione anche la traduzione..
SUPERWOMAN AT BEST
Dee Dee Foster is a talented, educated, loving, and strong woman. She has come from a powerul musical background. She has the ability to turn tragedy into triumph, pain into joy, and weakness into determination all with her gift of song. Her mission of empowering women can be seen and heard with her live performances across the country. Dee Dee is not ony a singer, songwriter, and producer, .. she is also a wife and a mother. Dee Dee Foster tells treazuremag.com about her journey and her music.
Tell us about your musical background.
My mother was a singer/songwriter/pianist, and my dad is a singer as well, my big brother also sings and plays the bass guitar. So I guess it's in my blood... LOL
I graduated from the Performing Arts high school in Cincinnati, Ohio and then I went on to receive my B.S. in Music Education from Central State University, in Ohio.
I moved to Los Angeles after college to pursue my singing career. I've been very fortunate to sing background for some of the best: Stevie Wonder, Patti Labelle, Chaka Khan, Beyonce, Barry White, Celine Dion, and others.
I'm currently writing, performing my live material, as well as in the studio recording my first CD.
Who and/or what is your inspiration behind your music?
When my mom died, that was definitely the inspiration for most of the songs on my first project. My mom's death was such a shock, (she died of a brain aneurysm), I had to really look to God for his strength. I was in London working when I got the call that my mom had suddenly died, it was, and still is very hard to lose the most important person in your world. I knew the pain was too hard for me to bear alone, so I looked to God for his strength. It's been rough, and I've even considered suicide as a way out, but by the grace of God I'm still here. I talk about my struggle during my live shows, as I introduce certain songs. "Best that I Can" and "Safe" are very special to me and were written as a result of my hurt.
Today, my husband, JJ Smith, and my one year old, Little JJ inspire me. I thank God for them everyday. My husband was there when I needed him, that shoulder to cry on and that person to listen to when I needed him. He is a blessing to my life, and my son is that ray of sunshine that God has blessed me with, I couldn't ask for a better baby, he always has a smile on his face... what an inspiration...
Who are your favorite musicians, singers and performers? Why?
Wow, that's a hard question because I have so many favorites... LOL
Ok, I would say my ultimate favorites would be the Clark Sisters. I am a true Clark fan, but my most favorite Clark is Twinkie. Twinkie Clark is an awesome singer/songwriter/musician. I don't know if you've heard of the Clark Sisters but they are awesome! I was always impressed with their vocal ability as a child, and then they are anointed as well. Twinkie is sort of the brain behind the Clarks, she was the writer, arranger, and producer when they were kids. She was the one that would get a song, and teach her sisters. She would write songs for her sisters and she knew who would sound better on this song, or that... that's impressive to me. Twinkie is melodic and anointed, my favorite by far.
I also love Sarah Mclachlan, she is an awesome singer and songwriter. I love her voice, it's kinda like, "ice cream," smooth, relaxing. Her style of music really influenced my writing. Her music would make me feel good, after I listened, and I want my project to do that for someone.
I just like those smooth vocals, like Roberta Flack, and James Taylor, ooh I love James... just feels like sunshine when you listen.
How would you define your style of music?
My music could probably be categorized as melodic, acoustic, soul-rock, with a pop twist... LOL
My lyrics are encouraging, uplifting, and empowering to women. You'll feel like Super Woman after you listen to my CD, it's also a stress reliever...
Sit back and listen and I promise it will put a smile on your face.
How many songs have you recorded? Which one is your favorite? Why?
I've recorded about 10 songs so far, for the upcoming CD. We're still mixing and I'm still writing, I have so many ideas so who knows what will make the CD.
My favorite song today would be "It's Up to You" love it.... it sorta has a retro vibe, kinda reminiscent of Eric Clapton and Cream. It was co-written by my song writing partner Lori Barth and Fish Herring, (an awesome guitarist), who's also in my live band. The lyrics are great, just talking about living life to the fullest, "it's up to you" to determine your destiny. It's definitely one of my favorite songs to perform live too, it's rocking! My favorite songs of my CD change from day to day... tomorrow it will be, "Do Nuthin Day" because I'm tired and don't want to do anything ... LOL This seems to be everyone's favorite, it talks about taking a day off, calling in sick, and just "doing nuthin" we all deserve a "Do Nuthin Day" every now and then. LOL
Tell us about some of your current and up coming projects?
Well let's see, like I said I am in the studio, working on the DeeDee Foster CD, and I am performing around the Los Angeles area. I have very great, supportive fans, so I try to perform from time to time, just check out my myspace page to see the upcoming shows. I have just started singing background again. I need to make a little money to help fund the CD. I'm paying for everything myself right now, which is cool because I'm in charge. I love producing and being able to make the final decisions, which I'm sure will end if I choose to go to a major label. LOL I was taking a break from travels because of the baby, but now I'm doing a little traveling. I'm working with British artist Leona Lewis, I've been doing a couple of live shows and TV promo with her lately. Just grinding... LOL
How often do you perform live? What are some of your favorite venues?
I try to perform about once a month or sometimes every other month ... don't want to over do it. My fans are very faithful and they usually try to make it out to all of my performances so I try to make it a special treat, to catch me live.
I guess one of my favorite venues would be Genghis Cohen. The vibe is awesome, very intimate, the food is cool, and the sound is always good. It sucks when you're at a venue and you can't hear yourself on stage. I also love The Temple Bar. This was actually the first venue I did my live set, and it is still a favorite of my fans and I. I think everyone just loves The Temple Bar, and when I play there everyone comes out. I will probably have my album release there too.
Tell about some of your most memorable moments on stage.
When I'm on stage, you just never know what I will say or do, I'm sure I shock the band all the time. I'm just "DeeDee" on stage.
One of the funniest is when, I was doing a cover song, and I forgot the words, I just pulled the lyrics out during the song. So I'm up there singing, one of my favorite songs, with this piece of white paper in front of me. I'm horrible with lyrics, can't remember them to save my life! I just made a joke and waved the paper to everyone then continued with the second verse. Oh yeah the song was, "Suddenly I See" by KT Tunstall... LOL hilarious. Everyone laughed, and didn't really think much of it, my song writing partner, called it a "DeeDee moment" I have loads of them...
How do you maintain your positive energy?
Wow, one of my friends did tell me that I'm one of the most optimistic people he knows. You know, I just want to enjoy my time here on earth. We go through a lot of ups and downs in life, but you have to make the choice to have a better life, a happy life, a blessed life.
I hate being sad or depressed, or pissed off, and that is one of the challenging things about being married. You live with someone, and you have to be concerned with their downs and problems which can sometime weigh you down, but I just like to clear the air. Life can be so much worse, just look at the news, I'm blessed, and sometimes we don't realize how blessed we are. If you aren't pleased with your life and the people in your life, then make a change, life is short, tomorrow is not promised. Go outside, and lay in the sun...
I think of my mom and my grandmother often. I miss them incredibly, but I don't want to live my life depressed and sad. I don't want to end up like one of those homeless people on the streets, hurt, and looking for comfort in a bottle or in drugs.
I try to keep positive people in my life, and positive thoughts in my mind. God is good, and I'm blessed...
Affirmation that you live by:
God is the center of my joy... if it were not for Him and His son Jesus, I wouldn't be here.
Love is awesome, when you love, love freely, don't hold back. Never be afraid to love someone, if you get hurt don't worry, one day your heart will mend, and you will love again. "it is better to have loved and lost, than never to have loved at all"-Tennyson
-can you imagine living and never feeling love, or those wonderful butterflies?
Trust in God... love deep...
Tell us about your musical background.
My mother was a singer/songwriter/pianist, and my dad is a singer as well, my big brother also sings and plays the bass guitar. So I guess it's in my blood... LOL
I graduated from the Performing Arts high school in Cincinnati, Ohio and then I went on to receive my B.S. in Music Education from Central State University, in Ohio.
I moved to Los Angeles after college to pursue my singing career. I've been very fortunate to sing background for some of the best: Stevie Wonder, Patti Labelle, Chaka Khan, Beyonce, Barry White, Celine Dion, and others.
I'm currently writing, performing my live material, as well as in the studio recording my first CD.
Who and/or what is your inspiration behind your music?
When my mom died, that was definitely the inspiration for most of the songs on my first project. My mom's death was such a shock, (she died of a brain aneurysm), I had to really look to God for his strength. I was in London working when I got the call that my mom had suddenly died, it was, and still is very hard to lose the most important person in your world. I knew the pain was too hard for me to bear alone, so I looked to God for his strength. It's been rough, and I've even considered suicide as a way out, but by the grace of God I'm still here. I talk about my struggle during my live shows, as I introduce certain songs. "Best that I Can" and "Safe" are very special to me and were written as a result of my hurt.
Today, my husband, JJ Smith, and my one year old, Little JJ inspire me. I thank God for them everyday. My husband was there when I needed him, that shoulder to cry on and that person to listen to when I needed him. He is a blessing to my life, and my son is that ray of sunshine that God has blessed me with, I couldn't ask for a better baby, he always has a smile on his face... what an inspiration...
Who are your favorite musicians, singers and performers? Why?
Wow, that's a hard question because I have so many favorites... LOL
Ok, I would say my ultimate favorites would be the Clark Sisters. I am a true Clark fan, but my most favorite Clark is Twinkie. Twinkie Clark is an awesome singer/songwriter/musician. I don't know if you've heard of the Clark Sisters but they are awesome! I was always impressed with their vocal ability as a child, and then they are anointed as well. Twinkie is sort of the brain behind the Clarks, she was the writer, arranger, and producer when they were kids. She was the one that would get a song, and teach her sisters. She would write songs for her sisters and she knew who would sound better on this song, or that... that's impressive to me. Twinkie is melodic and anointed, my favorite by far.
I also love Sarah Mclachlan, she is an awesome singer and songwriter. I love her voice, it's kinda like, "ice cream," smooth, relaxing. Her style of music really influenced my writing. Her music would make me feel good, after I listened, and I want my project to do that for someone.
I just like those smooth vocals, like Roberta Flack, and James Taylor, ooh I love James... just feels like sunshine when you listen.
How would you define your style of music?
My music could probably be categorized as melodic, acoustic, soul-rock, with a pop twist... LOL
My lyrics are encouraging, uplifting, and empowering to women. You'll feel like Super Woman after you listen to my CD, it's also a stress reliever...
Sit back and listen and I promise it will put a smile on your face.
How many songs have you recorded? Which one is your favorite? Why?
I've recorded about 10 songs so far, for the upcoming CD. We're still mixing and I'm still writing, I have so many ideas so who knows what will make the CD.
My favorite song today would be "It's Up to You" love it.... it sorta has a retro vibe, kinda reminiscent of Eric Clapton and Cream. It was co-written by my song writing partner Lori Barth and Fish Herring, (an awesome guitarist), who's also in my live band. The lyrics are great, just talking about living life to the fullest, "it's up to you" to determine your destiny. It's definitely one of my favorite songs to perform live too, it's rocking! My favorite songs of my CD change from day to day... tomorrow it will be, "Do Nuthin Day" because I'm tired and don't want to do anything ... LOL This seems to be everyone's favorite, it talks about taking a day off, calling in sick, and just "doing nuthin" we all deserve a "Do Nuthin Day" every now and then. LOL
Tell us about some of your current and up coming projects?
Well let's see, like I said I am in the studio, working on the DeeDee Foster CD, and I am performing around the Los Angeles area. I have very great, supportive fans, so I try to perform from time to time, just check out my myspace page to see the upcoming shows. I have just started singing background again. I need to make a little money to help fund the CD. I'm paying for everything myself right now, which is cool because I'm in charge. I love producing and being able to make the final decisions, which I'm sure will end if I choose to go to a major label. LOL I was taking a break from travels because of the baby, but now I'm doing a little traveling. I'm working with British artist Leona Lewis, I've been doing a couple of live shows and TV promo with her lately. Just grinding... LOL
How often do you perform live? What are some of your favorite venues?
I try to perform about once a month or sometimes every other month ... don't want to over do it. My fans are very faithful and they usually try to make it out to all of my performances so I try to make it a special treat, to catch me live.
I guess one of my favorite venues would be Genghis Cohen. The vibe is awesome, very intimate, the food is cool, and the sound is always good. It sucks when you're at a venue and you can't hear yourself on stage. I also love The Temple Bar. This was actually the first venue I did my live set, and it is still a favorite of my fans and I. I think everyone just loves The Temple Bar, and when I play there everyone comes out. I will probably have my album release there too.
Tell about some of your most memorable moments on stage.
When I'm on stage, you just never know what I will say or do, I'm sure I shock the band all the time. I'm just "DeeDee" on stage.
One of the funniest is when, I was doing a cover song, and I forgot the words, I just pulled the lyrics out during the song. So I'm up there singing, one of my favorite songs, with this piece of white paper in front of me. I'm horrible with lyrics, can't remember them to save my life! I just made a joke and waved the paper to everyone then continued with the second verse. Oh yeah the song was, "Suddenly I See" by KT Tunstall... LOL hilarious. Everyone laughed, and didn't really think much of it, my song writing partner, called it a "DeeDee moment" I have loads of them...
How do you maintain your positive energy?
Wow, one of my friends did tell me that I'm one of the most optimistic people he knows. You know, I just want to enjoy my time here on earth. We go through a lot of ups and downs in life, but you have to make the choice to have a better life, a happy life, a blessed life.
I hate being sad or depressed, or pissed off, and that is one of the challenging things about being married. You live with someone, and you have to be concerned with their downs and problems which can sometime weigh you down, but I just like to clear the air. Life can be so much worse, just look at the news, I'm blessed, and sometimes we don't realize how blessed we are. If you aren't pleased with your life and the people in your life, then make a change, life is short, tomorrow is not promised. Go outside, and lay in the sun...
I think of my mom and my grandmother often. I miss them incredibly, but I don't want to live my life depressed and sad. I don't want to end up like one of those homeless people on the streets, hurt, and looking for comfort in a bottle or in drugs.
I try to keep positive people in my life, and positive thoughts in my mind. God is good, and I'm blessed...
Affirmation that you live by:
God is the center of my joy... if it were not for Him and His son Jesus, I wouldn't be here.
Love is awesome, when you love, love freely, don't hold back. Never be afraid to love someone, if you get hurt don't worry, one day your heart will mend, and you will love again. "it is better to have loved and lost, than never to have loved at all"-Tennyson
-can you imagine living and never feeling love, or those wonderful butterflies?
Trust in God... love deep...
