Interview with Vikki Wright


Q: Please tell me something about yourself. Who turned you into music and was responsible for you to pursue a career as musician?

Vikki Wright: I'm probably one of the most honest people you'll ever interview and have few fears in life. I'm the youngest of 5 children (I have 2 brothers and 2 sisters) and I choose to define myself as an Amazon-a woman who can withstand many adversities and still overcome them. I would say my family primarily supported my initial music endeavors. My family was very musically diverse. My mother's family played piano and gave music lessons. My father, however was tone deaf, but listened to everything from gospel to country and sang it loudly and off-key. His mother played violin in her youth and I assume that's how I became interested in stringed instruments. My sisters loved the Jackson 5 and lots of R & B. My brothers played bass and guitar and listened to rock and jazz. There always was lots of noise and music going on at my house. So I got it from all family members. My career choice was intrinsic. If it's in you, you can't fight it. If God places that in you then you have no choice.

Q: Who has influenced your songwriting and style of singing?

Vikki Wright: My songwriting has been something I've done since I was a little girl. Whenever I was hurt or my infatuations didn't work out, I would write about it. Over time and with life changes, its joys, adversities, love and its constant dissolution and disappointment, my culture, and people in general have always been fair subject matter for my songs. My style of singing has been a longer journey, and it has taken me time to truly "find" my voice. I've been so blessed to work in Philly where there's so much diversity and talent, that the singers here have also been an influence on my vocal style. My love of "low range vocalists" like Al Jarreau and Betty Carter, who I think of as a vocal musicians have amazing tone and resonance that comes from the spirit. Their sounds are orgasmic and organic.

Q: Your lyrics are passionate and sincere. Are they all based on personal experience? What inspires you?

Vikki Wright: Because I believe you should always stick with what you know best, most of my songs have been lived by me. I'm a firm believer that the things you experience are not only for you, but to be shared - especially the bad things. When I feel an emotion or have gone through something that moves my spirit, I'll begin to write, hum, play and build on that inspiration. People, experience and life all inspire me.

Q: Bill Jolly, who co-produced the album and plays keyboards, was quite important for you as a musician and friend. Please tell me how you've met him and which musical vision do you share.

Vikki Wright: I was recommended to record with Bill at the prodding of a co-worker who overheard me singing in the locker room of our gym. She called him and we set up a meeting. From that meeting I started recording the first version of "The Other Woman" and I became his assistant shortly after being fired from my 9 to 5 job. Bill and I talk quite often and musically we've both been "thrown" into the forefront - my career started with my wanting to sing background vocals and his was as a drummer. Ironically, Bill had been stood up many times by keyboardists at gigs and told me that's how he began to play. I started to see the same pattern of being stood up at gigs and purchased my first keyboard. There are very few people I share song ideas with and Bill is one of those people who I know will listen honestly and intently, albeit it with a smirk on his face, because he knows I usually throw some curveball into a song. He has a grasp on my style, and the type of musical message I want to convey so as he puts it "he just puts the frosting on the cake." The vision we both share is that if you make good music, and keep the vibe positive then the intent of the song will be achieved and related to in its time.

Q: Where do you see your niche in today's music scene?

Vikki Wright: My hope is that I can give intelligent listeners a cerebral and visceral experience, evoking both thought and feeling. I'd also like to be a catalyst for a new generation of vocalists who will make the attempt to write their own music and lyrics.

Q: You've also sang background vocals for Michael Bolton, Victor Bailey or Madonna. What do you like about this kind of work and what did you learned from it for your own style?

Vikki Wright: When I sang with Michael Bolton, it was a one-time stint and I needed the money. He's definitely got a vibe that connects with his audience, and I watched how he worked the stage. His vocals are not my style, but by listening to him, I learned not to scream, but to project your vocals. There's a big difference. When I met Victor Bailey, he was in town after the Madonna "Girly Show" tour and we did "Route 66" at the now defunct, Blue Moon Jazz Club in Philly. Victor is one of the most amazing bassists that I know, but was very humble and understated. From him I learned that you can cross various genres of music without losing your roots and also that no matter how many stadiums and packed houses you play, you eventually have to come back home, so keep it real.

Q: You've also played violin and cello as a teenager. Do you still play these instruments?

Vikki Wright: I haven't played violin and cello in a number of years, but I was thinking of picking the cello back up recently. You actually do hear me playing keyboards on the CD and I play keys at all my shows. I'll be playing more on the next album and hopefully you'll hear me play guitar on there as well.

Q: How difficult (or easy) was it for you to write, record and release Tales From The Amazon on your own?

Vikki Wright: Tales From the Amazon was not at all an easy project to complete. I cried a lot of tears during the process of producing this CD. I wept for lack of money, lack of support from family and revisiting the experiences that I had gone through when I was writing the songs. From start to finish it is truly a tale. It's my tale. I've been cheated on by boyfriends, thrown my husband out, had infatuations which didn't pan out, been discriminated against and the like and recovered. Once all of the emotional stuff was put out on the table and I was able to go in the studio and not weep anymore, the rest was a piece of cake. Because this is my debut it was difficult to let go of the project, but I'm glad so many people can relate to it. Releasing this CD has also been a true test of my tenacity. I'm not on a major (label) so getting airplay, which is essential for a new artist, has been difficult. However, CD Baby and Tower Records have been very supportive with distribution and a Godsend.

Q: Would it be an option for you to go with a major label?

Vikki Wright: I would never refuse any option which would further my career. I suppose it would depend on the deal. I'm a bit of a control freak when it comes to my work, but have a background in contract negotiation and law, so my interests would be served well.

For more infos visit vikkiwright.net, cdbaby.com and read my review of Tales From The Amazon.