Hello there, did you wake up with a smile this morning?


You are New York based, is that Brooklyn or does good music come from other parts of the city as well?
GOOD MUSIC COMES FROM ALL OVER THE CITY AND OUTSIDE OF NY, BUT IT JUST SO HAPPENS THAT I AM LIVING IN BROOKLYN.
For anyone who has not yet heard your music, how would you describe it?
What was the music you listened to as you grew up and are you still playing any of those songs today?
OUR FAMILY DIDN'T HAVE MUCH WHEN I WAS GROWING UP. NO STEREO...NO RECORDS...NOT EVEN A RADIO TIL I WAS IN MY TEENS. THE PARENTS REALLY DIDN'T LISTEN TO MUSIC. BUT THEY RENTED A LOT OF CHINESE OPERA/DRAMA VIDEOS, AND I THINK THE TONALITIES, AND CERTAINLY THE COSTUMING, MADE AN IMPRESSION ON ME. I DID PLAY CLASSICAL MUSIC (PIANO AND VIOLIN) FOR MANY YEARS BUT DON'T PLAY THIS NOW, BUT DO ENJOY IT GREATLY STILL.
How did you decide to take the music path as a career and were there other options outside music that you gave serious consideration to?
I NEVER REALLY DECIDED TO TAKE MUSIC AS A "CAREER" PER SE, AND I'M NOT SURE I HAVE NOW. I'M SERIOUS ABOUT IT, AND I LOVE CREATING MUSIC. I DO HAVE A FULL-TIME JOB IN THE FASHION INDUSTRY RIGHT NOW, BUT IF DEVOTION IS THE DETERMINANT OF WHETHER SOMETHING IS A "CAREER" THEN MUSIC AND YOGA TEACHING ARE MY "CAREER", MUCH MORESO THAN WHAT PAYS THE RENT AND GETS ME HEALTH INSURANCE.
Is there any theme to your debut album or, do your song have their own individuality?
THE SONGS ON THIS ALBUM HAVE A LOT TO DO WITH THE PASSING OF TIME, THE EXPERIENCE OF PURE LOVE AND LOSS, COMMUNION WITH LIKE-MINDS AND HEARTS, LETTING GO....I THINK THE OVERALL THEME OF THE ALBUM HAS MUCH TO DO WITH PASSING ON FROM ONE REALM TO ANOTHER.
Collaborators on the record include Helena Espvall (Espers), Ben McConnell (Beach House, Papercuts), and Leyna Marika Papach (JG Thirwell's Manorexia), how did to manage to get those people involved?
I'D KNOWN MOST OF THE FOLKS IN ESPERS FOR A LONG TIME, AND ALWAYS ADMIRED HELENA'S WORK. LEYNA AND I SHARED A BILL ON A SHOW A COMMON FRIEND SET UP YEARS AGO AND WE BECAME FRIENDS. BEN I MET THROUGH BROOKE (SIETENSONS) OF ESPERS, AND HE HAD PLAYED ON THE LAST SILVER SUMMIT RECORDING (THAT WAS NEVER RELEASED) AND WITH ME LIVE QUITE A BIT. ALL FRIENDS, AND MORE SO AFTER THE ALBUM RECORDING.
In Morocco earlier this year. I heard some amazing free improvised music around the squares of Marrakech. Is there any place that you would like to visit for musical collaboration or inspiration?
I HAVE ON MY LIST: MONGOLIA. I AM REALLY WANTING TO GO THERE AND HEAR MORE MUSIC OF THAT PART OF THE WORLD. REALLY, I WOULD LOVE TO TOUR THROUGH ALL THE COUNTRIES OF CENTRAL ASIA, BUT I SUPPOSE IT'S NOT PRUDENT AT THIS MOMENT IN TIME.
What was the last book you read and the last piece of great art you saw?
PEMA CHODRON'S " WHEN THINGS FALL APART" . Marco Brambilla's, Civilization 3D in St. Patrick's Cathedral
What are you feelings about Social networking as a means to musical recognition?
I THINK SOCIAL NETWORKING HAS LITTLE TO DO WITH MUSICAL/ARTISTIC RECOGNITION. BUT I SUPPOSE IT HAS HELPED MANY PEOPLE PUT THEIR MUSIC "OUT THERE" AND GET IT RECOGNIZED BY OTHERS, AND THAT'S GREAT.
Any plans for a UK release or dates on the horizon?
YES. I'M WORKING ON FINDING A UK/EU DISTRIBUTOR SO I CAN GET THE ALBUM THERE, AND AM PLANNING TO TOUR THERE EARLY NEXT YEAR.
Lastly back to New York, where would you recommend visitors go for music and coffee?
MUSIC--> ZEBULON
COFFEE---> BLUE BOTTLE COFFEE !
Sondra’s debut solo record, Aetherea is out now Stateside
