Lancaster

FM

Here’s a transcript from the September interview at Lancaster at Fm (contains some strong language)

Fran: Today out special guest is Mariah Arron, and for those who don’t know Mariah has her first performance here at the Bretton. How are you?

MLA: Great, nervous, but great.

Fran: Don’t be nervous we don’t bite.

MLA: OK (laughter)

Fran: Ok. To start off we’re going to play a sample from your album, it’s Velvet Rope, right?

MLA: Velvet Rope is the album title, yes...

(Cuts to Velvet Rope)

Fran: Your sound is different...

MLA: Yes everyone has said that. I mean... I write the lyrics, and the band they write the music, er, mostly... so they tend to write around my words.

Fran: It’s unusual for artists to do that right?

MLA: Well, it’s not a written rule that you have to write the music, I mean, Elton John and Robbie Williams, there music is all about the instrumental... and thankfully they also write beautiful lyrics. But then there are artists who write great music and crap lyrics...

Fran: Like?

MLA: (Laughter) You want examples rights?? I knew you would, well for one, I don’t totally appreciate these Busted boy band types... I mean, I’m not anti- boy band, but some of it is so corny, so sickening...(laughs) I don’t like it.

Fran: How does the band feel about you being the focus of the media attention?

MLA: I didn’t know I was.There hasn’t been any media attention really, and I don’t expect that to happen for years to come. Gee... I don’t know how to answer that.

Fran: Your sound is described as an updated Nina Simmone... was that meant to be or...

MLA: NOOOO! No way. We’re no way as great as Nina Simmone, I mean, we have the passion but the presence? The glamor? No way... laughs

Fran: So who would you say you sound like?

MLA: I sound like me. I’m deaf, I don’t even no what I sound like and I don’t listen to the play backs...Damon, my producer, screams at me to listen back so I can improve, but the sound of my own voice scares me to death...

Fran: And you’re becoming a singer, right?

MLA: I don’t know. I like creativity. Be it music, or writing, it’s all about creating something positive... in a way, it is about my ego wanting people to recognize my talent. But really, I adore doing it, and so I try to avoid judgment by reading my own stuff, or listening.

Fran: How do you feel about other singers today, in your genre?

MLA: I thought we established I didn’t have a genre. Laughs.

But yes, I guess, people like Norah Jones and Jewel. Well, those types of people are doing good... if I was half as good as them I’d do this forever.

Fran: Like Madonna?

MLA: God!! No way, what a bad f**king example, sorry I’m not meant to swear... but she is the total embodiment of what I don’t want to become. I think music sucks when you rely on an image alone.

Fran: I agree. Mariah, it was lovely to meet you and I hope that your gig goes well tonight

MLA: So do I!

Fran: It’s been nice speaking to you. Ok that’s it for the gig segment, we’ll be back at 5 with the man from the corrs, do you know who that is?

MLA: I don’t think anyone knows his name, don’t they just talk about the sisters (laughter)