lead singer and keyboardist for The Dreaming, has been a big part of the music scene for the past ten years. Ann talks with Venue
concerning life, success, American Idol and Picturebook Rain.
What made you become a singer?
Well, my debut was in my four sided kiddy pen .... I was very vocal as a
child and would rock back and forth anytime music was played. I would cry when it was turned off .. I knew then that I wanted to sing!
I know it's a bit early for this question, but . . . What's the best moment in your career?
There are several, but among them is hearing a pin drop during one of our shows and the applause
afterward... you get a high from people applauding the performance!
Can you remember which song, artist, or music scene, which got you into making music in the first place?
I t was the song 'Silent'. A friend of mine wrote words to a poem for
Earth Day and I set the poem to music, she loved it and could no longer perform it as a poem itself. This was during the Nietzsches years where we started doing open mics with this song.
Do you have any professional regrets? Perhaps this interview? :)
The only regret is not having traveled more . . . the US, other countries . . . to get a better view of the world through my own eyes,
not through the media.
You've got such great vocal range. Did you work on that or were you born with it?
Many people think that singing comes naturally. Part of this is true,
but I needed to learn control, flexibility, and correct breathing with a voice teacher.
You've performed on the stage, musicals, etc. Do you feel it's important for a singer to also have acting skills?
I don't believe that a singer should be able to act necessarily. Rather, be truthful to who you are portraying in a song, be it yourself or another character. All facets of a personality go into both.
Of all the things that have happened this year, which do you find is most memorable?
The most memorable performance has been our CD release party for Picturebook Rain. It's awesome
knowing that people close to you, better yet, complete strangers, are there to support our group and our music!
What do you listen to nowadays? Besides your new cd. :)
I'm really into Allison Krauss and Sheryl Crow lately, just ask the band! I go through obsessive periods of 2-3 months!
Speaking of your new cd . . . . what is your opinion? Any major differences between Picturebook Rain and Silent?
Our first CD Silent was more acoustically based. Many
people have said that they prefer the production and sound of our first CD
Picturebook Rain offers so may different styles ... It's particularly amazing to me how Ray and Dan
can come up with riffs and lyrics that are unique and personal that also have the vocalist in mind. They are good writers.
Would you rather be sitting in the studio at this moment . . . or standing on stage?
I'd rather be on stage with our band .... in front of thousands of people, with Sheryl Crow, Allison Kraus, and Bonnie Raitt!!!!
"Stay"
is a beautiful song with a strong reflective lyric . . . did this piece come to you automatically or did you need work at it?
I need to work at .... everything! Nothing has ever come easily, except finding melodies within a chord progression. I can sit at the piano and play riffs that I think sound pretty good. The next day, I wonder
what I was thinking. Either it's extremely common or very Hokey!
What I like about your work is your honesty. You don't put on "airs", so to say. Do you find that the music scene is concentrating too much on image . . . as opposed to focusing on the art?
ABSOLUTELY .. our younger generation has been cheated out of knowing what music SOUNDS like sans video!! Where's the imagination in watching a song on TV all to sell
the image of the artist rather than the song itself. It should be able to stand on it's own merits through the test of time .... like the Beatles.
I'm actually really excited about American Idol
because they strip down their performers to their basic voice! I think their onto turning the music business around! It's refreshing!
Quite a few artists have "rituals" before they perform. Do you do anything, like meditate?
Green Tea instead of Coffee. Also cardio workouts for breathing before a gig really helps!!!
What's next for you musically in 2003?
We're going to make millions! OK, hundreds ... we like to play for the sake of playing and making original music We're also hoping to recruit some backup vocalists
One last question: Name the bands and artists whose music, and way of life, you most respect and why.
I really appreciate artists who have personal stories to tell and that cause the listener to really
analyze the lyrics. I respect the Beatles for their ingenuity in the 60's, and for their incredible musical genius!
A Talk with Ann Janish-Schieder Concerning 2002's Picturebook Rain
