Inside Carmen: Part Two of my conversation with Carmen Hillary

In part one of my interview with Carmen we discussed her thoughts not just on the journey to completing her new CD but the journey to fame as well. In part two we'll touch on her thoughts on others in the business, and learn some juicy bits about the woman herself. So jump in, and read on...

[Linton] Your song "Watching you Dance" is about longing for someone from a distance. If there were one person out there you could have a dream date with who would it be?

[Carmen]Hmm…that song is about extreme obsession. But for just a dream date, Ryan Reynolds or Jack Black. Looks aren't a defining characteristic for me. I love talented, charismatic and funny men with a good heart.

[Linton] Now that we have some celebrities defining your dream date, what sort of celebrities would you use to describe your own personality?

[Carmen] Just going on the vibe and what I know of them, I'd say I'm a lot like Shakira personality wise and how the music drives me. My passion for it. I have Stevie Nicks self-respect and strong feminine presence. I have a lot of the same values as Jewel. I have a love for mystical and metaphysical things like Tori, Enya and Stevie and I am extremely goofy like Alanis Morissette sprinkled with a little of Madonna's love for embodying different characters on stage. Well I guess I should also admit that I have that guy from Sesame Street (the puppet who is always working on a song at the piano and then inevitably bangs his head on the piano in frustration) I have his insecurity. That's how I see myself.

[Linton] Well, you seem to have concealed the bruises on your forehead quite nicely. Okay, I'm going to shift gears here a little bit, but on the topic of other celebrities what do you make of the Paris Hiltons or Kevin Federlines of the world essentially buying themselves a music career?

[Carmen] Obviously, it's very superficial. But in another way, I'm happy to at least see Paris doing something that might build her confidence with something she contributed to the creation of. I think expression stimulates growth. Maybe I am being too hopeful to think this way, but this might give her something of her own to pursue outside of "the girl famous for being rich" label and maybe she'll do something good with her life and money one day. I don't really want to cast any negative light other than to say I am glad I am not them and I am definitely glad I don't have to go through what they may have to in twenty years.

[Linton] But do you think it helps or hurts the industry and do you think it takes opportunities away from others from breaking into the business on their own merits?

[Carmen] I think it used to hurt the industry, definitely. But with the internet there is more room for everyone now. Thank you Myspace! It also exposes talent and depth with it's contrasting lack of depth (for those who are listening for it).

[Linton] I'm just going to throw out some other names now and you can give me your thoughts and opinions of each.

First off Kevin's wife, Britney Spears...

[Carmen]Distraught and tired. Will make a come back at some point in some capacity. Lionesses never permanently give up the hunt.

[Linton] Christina Aguilera

[Carmen]The new Madonna. She is strong. She is controversial. She's the one out there who gives you knots in your stomach sometimes because you don't know what to think. She also pulls in genres and images as Madonna did. Britney was never the new Madonna in my mind because she never had enough of a bone to pick. Christina has a lot more to offer than we have seen yet. I just wish she'd start using more vocal dynamics sometimes than just constantly over pushing her voice live.

[Linton] The Pussycat Dolls or Danity Kane

[Carmen] Fun! We all need some sexiness now and then. Don't know much about Danity Kane sorry.

[Linton] I'm sure there's a large number of guys that would agree with you that both the Pussy Cat Dolls and Danity Kane are "Fun". Chantal Kreviazuk

[Carmen] Mixed bag. So talented. I have heard some surprising comments she's made and I just got the sense that she is a little bitter or unsatisfied with something. Wish I knew what it was. I just crave more from her somehow. More of a Gwen Stefani type theatrical high profile image or something?? Beautiful woman and songwriter. Love that voice!

[Linton] Since you mentioned her, Gwen Stefani

[Carmen]Wish I had her vibe!! Amazing videos!!

[Linton] Fergie (from the Black Eyed Peas)

[Carmen] Hot voice! I'm not always into the lyrical content but she's very cool and shows you can still pull it off when you're no longer 21!

[Linton] Sarah McLachlan

[Carmen] A gift to the world. Her music however, has not always been as much of an inspiration to me as most people might think. I've always been more into Tori and Peter Gabriel. But I think she has influenced me in a subliminal way and I definitely have my annual Sarah season. I love the smoothness of her voice and Afterglow is amazing!! I'm more into her now than ever before.

[Linton] Tegan and Sara

[Carmen] Talented. Born with it. Driven. That's my impression. They seem to be doing well with things.

[Linton] You're a very attractive woman yourself, how do you feel about using a sexy image to sell your music? Is it necessary in the present market and is there a line you won't cross?

[Carmen] Thank you. I hope you'd still say that if you saw me walking to the grocery store with no make-up and wearing my jogging suit?? (laughs). I'm making my own market so I'm ignoring the womanizing that goes on in most Hip Hop/Rap/R&B videos (thank God for K-OS – he's hope). I used to be venimently opposed to any use of looks to achieve success until I noticed that I had a few shows where I was having a bit of an off night but I thought I looked good, you know dressed up, but people didn't get into what I was doing. Then I realized it's still more about the energy you give off. You can catch someone's attention with glitz but you can only keep it with charisma and personality. I'd much rather be Barbara Streisand or Oprah (who are very beautiful) than Jessica Simpson or Rachel McAdams. Although Rachel is pretty hot I have to say. I want to look good. Beauty is nice to look at. But I won't do blatant sexuality unless I personally want to or the song directly calls for it.

[Linton] What do you think "sells" a song?

[Carmen] Depending who your audience is. In once sentence, mainstream – a good repetative hook and a solid beat….alternative – depth of feeling, confident artist and good universal songwriting.

[Linton] What sort of music are you listening to these days, who are you listening to?

[Carmen] Kate Havnevik. She is fantastic and so originally herself while being reminiscent of the wonderful familiar. I like an artist who take that same amazing back massage and make it even better using the same stylistic structures. Her Producer is a genius also. That helps.

[Linton] What attracts you to another person's song or a performance, and what scares you off?

[Carmen] Owning their voice and songwriting captures me. Jessica Simpson scares me off as one example. She is a warm-hearted good and talented person who utilizes her talent in a soulless way and totally takes her gifts for granted. But she was raised that way so I bet she doesn't know any better.

Okay let me change that, it's her Dad who scares me off. I just want to see her really get into the music and at least feel the words a little (I'm loving angels instead) I think she was thinking about her hairstyle for the night. Okay that is my one really mean set of comments today. Chantal I am catching your drift now. I've been watching too much Jon Stewart.

[Linton] If you could cover any one particular song on a future album what would it be?

[Carmen] Hmm…well my good friend Charmaine wants me to post a cover of Teen Spirit by Nirvana that I did. I've also done a cover of Coldplay's Clocks. Who knows, we might put those out sometime. I've been playing around with a totally different version of Zombie (Cranberries) lately. I might perform that at my cd release. We'll see.

[Linton] Well Carmen, we're just about done here, and you've been great, but before we finish up I have just a few quick hard hitting questions; the stuff the public really wants to know, a list that your über fans out there can add to the candle-lit photo shrines dedicated to you hidden in their closets. Ready?

[Carmen] Yes, I think so. A little tired…this is a marathon interview but I am glad that people might get a chance to know me better through this.

[Linton] Where were you born?

Innisfail, Alberta, Canada

[Linton] First album you ever bought?

Samantha Fox (I Wanna Have Some Fun).

[Linton] Your favorite song?

[Carmen] Name one? Can't be done. Fav's are Tori Amos "Horses" Peter Gabriel "Red Rain", "Here That Voice Again" Sinead O'Connor "Jealous"….You know what I can't do this because I have favorite songs per artist per year and per decade. We'll be here all night.

[Linton] Worst group ever?

[Carmen]Gwar and Wave. Not a fan. Just not a fan.

[Linton] Least Favorite Music Genre?

[Carmen] Particular thrasher heavy metal (early Korn)
But I like Metallica, some Pantera etc…

[Linton]Favorite pizza?

[Carmen] As a five year old kid I used to say my dream food would be abalongne pizza (they are sort of like an oyster…my Dad was a diver). Not a normal child. Now's it's Mediterranean.

[Linton] Favorite time of the year?

[Carmen] Summer. Love the heat.

[Linton] Favorite movie of all time?

[Carmen] For a long time it was Power of One. Love the Soundtrack. Now too many to mention. But I liked Contact, K-Pax, Just Friends, Final Fantasy, Memento, Lord of the Rings. I love movies so again we'd be here all night.

[Linton] Favorite TV show?

[Carmen] The Cosmos – Carl Sagan.

[Linton] Favroite Books?

[Carmen] Conversations with God, Illusions, Celestine Prophecy, The Davinci Code

[Linton] The person in your own secret closet shrine?
Gaven Lee


[Linton] Who was your first kiss?

[Carmen] Jessie Belanger.

[Linton] Ever been arrested?

[Carmen] Only in my fantasies (winks).

[Linton] Yikes! Coolest Canadian ever?

[Carmen] Jim Carrey.

[Linton] Three things you'd like to do for sure in your life-time?

[Carmen] See the pyramids in Egypt. Connect with people through my music and other creations on a mass scale. Develop and maintain a program which helps a large group of people (possibly generating educational and financial opportunities for native women on reserves).

[Linton] Wow, talented, beautiful, and a humanitarian. Impressive. Well that's it. Anything else you'd like to add for the fans?

[Carmen] First and foremost, I am so happy that something I have expelled into the world, my songs, may have touched or helped you in some way. That is all that really matters to me. It is the only reason I really want to share my music publicly. Otherwise, I would just be a creative bubble making things in my bedroom that don't leave the house. Also, thank you so much for supporting me by enjoying my music and helping me to keep my head above water at this stage through your encouragement.

[Linton]Can't wait to hear the new album. That's "Window Seat" and it comes out when again?

[Carmen] This Fall. Any new info will be posted on my internet sites.

[Linton] And where can we see you live next?

[Carmen] My cd release party is being held in Victoria, BC at the Black Stilt on December 9th. The cd will likely be available before that, but that is the next show.

[Linton] Okay Carmen thanks for your time.

[Carmen] Thank you, for yours.

Fin.