Who’s Aoede?

Aoede is my artist name! It is pronounced A-E-D. She was the muse of song in Greek Mythology. Aoede means “song,” and I wanted an affiliation with the muse and inspiration. Aoede is an award-winning, driven San Francisco-based compelling pop singer-songwriter, recording artist and performer with an enchantingly quirky soprano voice. If you like Ingrid Michaelson, Regina Spektor, Feist, Lily Allen, you might resonate with Aoede’s songs! Aoede recently won Indie Music Channel’s 2012 BEST Female Folk Artist and FOLK Producer, and Artist’s in Music’s 2012 BEST Folk-Acoustic Artist and ALBUM of the Year! Aoede has been nominated for LA Music Awards 2012 HOT AC Artist of the Year and Artist in Music Awards 2013 Best Folk-Acoustic Artist and Best Singer-Songwriter!

Aoede just released a new album Skeletons of the Muse April 2012 (it’s my 4th overall release) and a new music video for Fairy Tale Love, one of the singles from the new album.

Aoede also suffers from Dermatomyositis-a rare connective-tissue disease… “…my healing process is creating new music. Music is my lifeline. I just cannot stop creating.”

How you got started in the music scene?
I started performing as Aoede in late 2005 as an acoustic duo after a few years as a lead singer in a cover band. I discovered my muse when I started writing and playing my own songs from 2002-2005. I released an EP as Aoede in 2006, Ear Candy, a full length album, Push and Pull in 2008, and then Affair with the Muse digital EP (2011) and Skeletons of the Muse (2012). Songs from Affair with the Muse and Skeletons of the Muse reflect Aoede more as an artist than as a band.

What are your music influences?
I am influenced by so many wonderful musicians and artists! Lately it has been more quirky and compelling women singer-songwriters such as Erin McCarley, Meiko, Joy Williams, Sarah Blasko, Lisa Mitchell, Ingrid Michaelson. In the past, so many different genres and artists-from Billie Holiday, folk music, and Nick Cave to 80s music and musicals…

Skeletons of the Muse. How was the recording and writing process for this record? How you came out with the album’s title?

7 of these songs were from Affair with the Muse-remixed and remastered with new elements. 6 of these songs were brand new. For the new songs, I recorded all vocals in San Francisco from my home studio, but thanks to technology and my producer Scrote getting the right folks for the project, all other tracks were recorded remotely! All tracks were mixed by Mark Needham in LA. The songs on Skeletons of the Muse embody several themes-love, reflections, skeletons and lights. many of the tracks from Affair with the Muse, such as Love Proof (Track 4) about falling in love with love, embody going around and around on life’s wheel of love. Can’t Stop the Music (Track 1) is a bouncy, upbeat, feel-good Lily Allen-esque tale about the omni-present music that emanates from our every fiber and the world around us. Gravity (Track 11) is a Pixies-vibe-ish tale of the feeling of gravity’s effect on one’s heart when another’s heart has moved on. Bittersweet (Track 9) acknowledges the dark side and the dirty laundry of the past where you taste both the good and bad in someone you love. Days Like This (Track 3) has ethereal vocals and is a hauntingly throbbing keyboard-based ballad, recognizing that no one said the world, life and love would be so hard, especially when looking back on the magic and ease of being a child… but, then again, no one said life would hold so much beauty and wonder either. Perfect Day (Track 6) is a heartfelt tale honoring a courageous, tireless fighter-of-a-soul named Frederik…

Skeletons are the ideal symbol for the April 2012 album Skeletons of the Muse. “Skeletons” has become a central theme in my life. Skeletons is about making amends and friends with ghosts of my past, my roller coaster present and even with my uncertain future. On the album cover, I am having tea with my Skeletons, symbolizing that I have made friends with what they represent-all the darker parts of me. The second song on the album is titled Skeletons. Also, I thought Skeletons of the Muse was an intriguing concept-who ever thought of a muse having a dark side??

What has been the funniest moment you guys have been or took part while touring or playing a gig?

Not funny, but most memorable… in 2006, when I was going on stage at a benefit show in San Francisco, I hit my head on a riser. I came onto the stage and started to sing and play and noticed something wet on my forehead, followed by gasps from the audience. Apparently, I was bleeding. It was what my bass player had called my Marilyn Manson moment!

Are there any more plans for the future we should be aware of?

Aoede will continue to write, record and release more music, focusing on licensing but will do some shows-e.g., Aoede was asked to play a fundraiser in Portland, OR in August for CureJM. It is near and dear to my heart since it will help the kids who suffer from the same health condition as I do… also, Aoede will continue to participate in awards show events for LA Music Awards, Artists in Music

Do you guys feel you are moving on the right direction?

Yes, I feel I am moving in the right direction! Winning awards and receiving nominations for more, having a successful Kickstarter in December 2011 to complete and release Skeletons of the Muse, releasing the album and music video, building the fan base and connecting through social networks all have been great strategies as a driven DIY artist. I am excited to see what the future brings!