Super excited to have the pleasure of speaking with you today! Welcome. You just released a new album. Congratulations. How are you feeling now that the album is out for everyone to hear?
I’m feeling so excited! I’ve been working on this album for over a year and it feels great to finally be able to share it with the world. There’s always a little nervousness, too, but mostly excitement!
Do you have a favorite song on the album?
It’s hard to choose just one, but my two favorites are God Only Knows and Here Comes the Sun. We really poured our hearts into the whole album, and especially these two songs. I’m so happy with how they turned out!
If you had to choose between performing live or being in the studio which do you prefer and feel the most yourself?
That’s a tough question because the creative life goes through seasons. You have a season of inspiration, a season of putting your idea to life behind closed doors, and, lastly the season of sharing it with the world. They all represent parts of who I am as an artist.
If I had to choose, I would perform live. There is something so magical about sharing music live and the connection I feel with the audience is like nothing else. The stage feels like home to me, and also the place where I’m most alive.
Who has been the most influential musician in your life? How does that reflect in your music?
All of the musicians that I’m covering on this album have been hugely influential to me, and that’s part of why I wanted to do this project: to pay homage to them while also retelling these stories in my own voice. This artists include Elton John, Queen, the Beatles, the Beach Boys, and more.
If I had to narrow it to one musician, it would have to be Céline Dion. She inspired me to become a singer. It’s not just that she has a beautiful, well trained, versatile voice. Many people have that. It’s the way she pours her entire heart into every single lyric, and the way she conveys the story through her voice. She’s incredible! I hope my listeners can hear my heart and soul in the music I sing in the same way I hear Celine’s.
What genre of music do you consider your work to be?
One of the great things about creating my own work is that I don’t have to be strictly bound to one thing. I love so many genres!
I consider this a pop album, but the songs follow a journey. The album starts on the lighter side, with an a cappella intro, then it picks up in the middle and comes back down toward the end. And we cover a wide range: God Only Knows is Adult Contemporary, Here Comes the Sun and Don’t Stop Me Now are more rock- influenced, Just Like a Woman has some folk influence, Crazy starts as a piano ballad and morphs into a rock anthem, and Live and Die has an acoustic singer/ songwriter vibe. The production changes, but there’s a central, unifying theme and sound underneath it all.
Anything else you would like to share with our readers?
Absolutely. This album had a central theme which was repainting these songs from a female perspective. I’m posting weekly videos to give fans a deep dive into why these songs were chosen and what they mean to me. I love to hear everyone else’s thoughts and I’d love you all to join the conversation.
Now where can we get the new album and connect with you on Instagram?
“Just Like a Woman” is on iTunes, Spotify, Amazon Music, Apple Music, Google Play, and anywhere you find music.
I’d love to connect on Instagram! I’m @lifeofmandydickson . Thank you!
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End of Interview
Photos by: EVEN KEEL IMAGERY/ MIRIAM BRUMMEL