Check out this recent interview with Sandi from BoostTheMusic.com.
Hi Sandi, what age were you when you started writing music?
I was about the age of 11 to 12 when I first started to write my own music. Before then I had trained classically as a pianist so discovering that I could create something original was a real thrill for me.
Is there anything in particular that got you into music?
Mainly my family. Both my mother and my father have musical backgrounds and grew up in amongst musicians, as did I. I knew that I could sing from around the age of 6 and started piano at 4. I just loved it.
How did the Internet gigs change your life?
Dramatically. I went from a relatively unknown singer/songwriter to being a face on a billboard. It was very overwhelming at times.
Your sound has changed a lot from your debut album. Was this a natural progression?
Yes and no. I have always loved the blues, soul and country and grew up with it. Most of my influences vocally lie within this genre. But Merchants and Thieves followed on from my second album, which was not really an accurate portrayal of my creative intention.
‘Sony’ had too much of a hand in it. Although some of the songs on there are some of the best I’ve ever written I grew tired of the process of constantly ripping the songs apart and putting them back together again to satisfy everyone with an opinion. So as my 3rd record was independent and the only opinion that counted was mine I threw caution to the wind, went into the studio with no agenda and Merchants and Thieves was the result.
Your newest album ‘Merchants and Thieves’ is fantastic and it reminds me of Stevie Nicks era Fleetwood Mac, was she a big influence?
MASSIVE!!!! HUGE!!! Stevie Nicks and indeed Fleetwood Mac in its entirety from Peter Green to Buckingham/Nicks era have been the biggest influence in my career to date. That can be attributed to the fact my first band was a Mac tribute band!
What made you want to cover ‘House of the Rising Sun?’
I was asked to sing it at a festival called ‘Vintage’ and loved it so much I decided to record it. Then when I went to register it I discovered that there is no known author of the song. I ended up travelling to New Orleans to try and unearth the facts and even ended up interviewing Eric Burdon!!
Joe Bonamassa plays on ‘This Ol’ World’, what was it like playing with him?
Amazing. First and foremost my respect for him as a musician is enormous. And the fact that I got to make this song with the love of my life…. even better! Joe and I have been together for 2 years now and couldn’t be happier.
Have you signed anyone to your own label/ do you have any plans to sign anyone?
Yes- an Irish artist called Dave O’ Grady and most recently a Liverpool based band called ‘Xander and the Peace Pirates.’ Dave’s E.P will be out this November. Check them both out at www.guardianangelsrecords.com
Do you get back to Aberdeen much?
Yes, whenever I can. Scotland will always have my heart no matter how far I roam!
Are there any new Scottish acts we should look out for?
Probably heaps! I recently recorded guest vocals on a Scots hip hip song by an act called ‘Shy and Drs.’ They’re cool!
You’re currently in L.A, what takes you to the ‘City of Angels?’
My boyfriend Joe and I live here. I love it!
Any plans for a UK tour in the not so distant future? (Especially Belfast!)
Absolutely! Next year after the new record comes out! Album no 4 is the most prolific yet. Recorded in Nashville and produced by a famous guitar player (no…not Joe!)
