Tiffany Apan
Interview by: Tracy Lewis
I recently was introduced to this incredibly beautiful singer, with a mystifying soul touching voice and would like the world to know more about her too!
TL: Tiffany when did you first realize you wanted to be a singer?
TA: Thank you Tracy! I think it’s safe to say since I was born. For as far back as I can remember I had a love more music and especially singing. There was a wide variety of music playing in the household and within the family; I really gravitated toward that and I was always singing along to something. I do recall being five years old, getting blank tapes, my Cabbage Patch tape recorder/player and sitting in my room for hours recording myself singing. I guess it was sort of my first ‘recording studio’ so to speak as I would also take these tapes and make ‘album covers’ with crayons and colored pencils. I would draw my likeness on the front (as best as a five year old could draw their likeness) and make a track listing on the back. I would make a few and sell them to family and friends for something like 0.25-1.00 apiece. I do wonder if anyone actually still has them (lol). But I did alot of talent shows, dance recitals, concert choirs and the like and it went from there.
TL: Who has influenced or inspired your style of music and singing the most?
TA: That’s a tough one to answer because there are many different influences in my style of music and singing. The first singers/performers I ever saw on television were Cyndi Lauper and Michael Jackson when I was really little (at probably about age 3 or 4). Seeing them for the first time as I sat in my living room truly excited me and fueled my energy and desire to be a performer. I still enjoy their music to this day. Cyndi Lauper really is a great singer and has a tremendous on-stage energy and I’ve always been extremely impressed by Michael Jackson’s visual creativity and ability to compose music. I also was very influenced by musicals like Phantom of the Opera, Les Miserables, Miss Saigon, Jekyll and Hyde, and Martin Guerre. Throughout the years I’ve also been influenced by Sarah Brightman, Lea Salonga, Nightwish, Lacuna Coil, Loreena McKennitt, Enya, Queensryche, Iron Maiden, Metallica, The Rat Pack (Sinatra, Martin, Davis Jr, Bishop), Heart, Pat Benatar, Tori Amos, the writings of Rod Serling, Judy Garland, The Cure, Patsy Cline to name a few. But I do have to say that my biggest influences have been my grandparents. They had a touring country/bluegrass/pop band back in 50s and early 60s. They were the first ones to encourage me to persue my passion for music. They put the first musical instruments into my hands including a guitar, violin and accoridan. Those who enjoy the song “Whispers” on my album “Poet” have my grandparents to thank for that song as they were the first ones to perform and record it.
TL: How would you describe your genre of music?
TA: My slogan is “Edginess with Elegance.” That pretty much sums it up. The Edginess is the alternative rock, gothic, progressive and heavy metal influences. The Elegance is the influences of classical music, opera, new age, celtic/world, and musical theatre. It’s been classified as Adult Alternative a few times and I’ve been listed on a few Female Metal sites as well. It’s also been getting a positive response in the Goth community and among fans of Celtic and World Music. I don’t really think there has been a definite ‘genre’ classification but many who have heard it all seem to agree that it is different from alot of what’s out there.
TL: Have you had any formal vocal training? If so, where and when?
TA: Yes, I began my formal vocal training at age 12 and continued my vocal training throughout high school with musical theatre and opera veteran, Eileen Hannish. I studied with Lynne Williams in college and currently study with Sofia Sunseri. Being a ‘choirgirl’ and learning classical piano also helped alot with vocal technique, reading music, and ear training for harmonies and such.
TL: Have you performed in any musicals or theater?
TA: Oh yeah. I’ve been doing theatre since I was 12. My favorite roles though have been Hodel in Fiddler on the Roof, Charlotte in Falsettos, and Free Style Jazz Singer (one of two) in the world premiere of Marta Effinger’s Whispers Want to Holler. The latter was an amazing experience as I met and worked with world renounced jazz musician Billy Harper who had written music for the production. It was also a great cast and all of the roles were wonderful roles for an actor.
TL: Have you won any awards?
TA: My acapella song “Lost Little Girl” (not on my album) was an American Finalist for the 2009 Best New Song in the World Contest. Over 400 songs from several countries around the world were submitted to the contest so it was an honor to make it that far especially with it being an acapella song (I actually wasn’t too sure of how it would do). The contest was also based on fan/listener votes. A listener at Music World Radio also nominated my song “Run Away and Hide” as a Bubbly Upcomer on Music World Radio’s Alternative Top 20. Just this passed Friday, the song was voted by listeners into the Top 20 debuting at number 17. The latter isn’t an award per se, but it is something I’m proud of as it shows people are enjoying what we do. That feeling is always very rewarding in itself. There may be a few more awards/nominations on the horizon. We’ll see;)
TL: I hear you have your own production company? Please tell us about it.
TA: Yes I do. I co-own it with my parter-in-crime, Jason English; we started it back in 2008 after the release of my debut album, “Poet.”. It’s called Poet’s Labyrinth Productions and we basically release alot of our projects through it. My second album, “Elements” and Jason’s debut album will be released through it as well as a few other projects we have up our sleeves. Stay tuned.
TL: Where can readers find out more about you and hear your music?
TA: You can find me on my website:
http://www.tiffanyapan.com,
myspace: http://www.myspace.com/tiffanyapanmusic,
and I also have a personal page and fan page on Facebook (feel free to join both).
You can also follow me and my antics on twitter:
http://www.twitter.com/TIFFANYAPAN,
and become a listener on Last.fm.
I also have a YouTube Channel where you can watch music videos, on the road vlogs, and follow the process of the making of my second album, “Elements” meeting some of the musicians and recording engineers.
You can find that at:
http://www.youtube.com/TiffanyApan.
If you have a youtube profile, feel free to subscribe and/or become a friend. And of course vote for the videos:)
TL: Where can people purchase your music?
TA: Currently, my debut album “Poet” (physical copies and digital downloads) can be purchased through many internet outlets:
CDBaby ( www.cdbaby.com ),
Shinto Records ( http://www.sin-tech.org), Femme Metal Store ( http://www.femmemetal.com ), Amazon
(preferably the POETSLABYRINTH store),
CDUniverse, CDConnection,
CDFreedom ( http://www.CDFreedom.com ), iTunes, eMusic, Napster, Spotify, Amazonmp3,
and will soon be available on
Tarnius Music ( http://www.tarniusmusic.com ).
In fact right now, CDBaby is donating a dollar from each CD sale to benefit the victims of the Haiti Earthquake; so you can support the artists and help out people in need at the same time. Pretty good deal:) My second album “Elements” is currently in production so there isn’t a release date yet for it; but as soon as there is one it will be on my websites and such:)
TL: What would be the most memorable thing, performance or person you have worked with in your music career so far?
TA: I think it’s always memorable to collaborate with other bands and artists and I’ve had the opportunity to work with some good ones.
Jason and I will appear on
Bonfire Night’s ( http://www.myspace.com/bonfirenightsband ) debut album, “Blood and Thunder”.
And we are having the tremendous opportunity to be working with the members of the internationally acclaimed progressive rock band,
Persephone’s Dream (http://www.persephonesdream.net
and http://www.myspace.com/persephonedream ) on several songs on my second album.
I’ve also had songs appear on seven compilation CDs since the release of “Poet” in 2008. I’m also collaborating with some indie filmmakers on including songs from my album in their films. One is a film titled “The Girl” which stars Scott Cummings (Michael Jackson’s former bodyguard) and Lisa Neeld (Playboy Model). I also make an appearance in the film.
A link to the film’s site is http://www.thegirlmovie.com.
Another collaboration I’m looking forward to is with 72nd St Films.
Check them out at http://www.72ndstfilms.com.
TL: Where do you hope to see yourself say in about 5 years?
TA: Making music, doing more projects with film and theatre productions:)
TL: Any advice for other artists just starting out?
TA: Definitly follow your dreams, but don’t become so ‘starry-eyed’ that you become oblivious to the fact that there are sharks out there looking to take advantage of the first young and hopeful performer that crosses their path. Try to do as much of it as you can yourself and do read books on the subject of building your own career yourself. There will be people/so-called management companies and agencies out there who will tell you things like “You are the next big thing! We’ll help you get your career going and become a star. Just pay us X amount of money and we’ll do the rest. You’re going to spend the money getting yourself off the ground anyway so why not just pay us a little and let us ‘professionals’ handle it?”. One golden rule of the entertainment industry is that if something seems too good to be true than it probably is. Listen to your gut; if you start to feel your BS radar going off, don’t ignore it. It’s probably going off for a reason. And there are people who are not who they say they are as well as those who mean well but aren’t very business or industry savvy. Unfortunatly, you probably will have to learn at least one lesson the hard way. If you do, don’t let it get you down. Learn from mistakes and keep going. The important thing is, do your homework and practice, practice, practice your craft. Every professional I know takes lessons pertaining to their craft regardless of how old or how far along he/she is into his/her career. There’s no shame in continuing to learn and grow.
For your viewing & listening pleasure, here is the video Ghost by Tiffany Apan
