Carly Rae talks about her ‘unrevealed side’

“I’d say that I’m a lot of things... emotional, competitive, creative and a bit of a mess at times, too.”

That’s how Carly Rae Jepsen described herself away from the limelight in an exclusive interview with The STAR (the only Philippine paper she agreed to talk to).

“My music, especially my latest album (photo, right), shows the sides of me that I haven’t ever revealed before,” she added.

The singer/songwriter who placed third in 2007 in the Canadian Idol Season 5 is coming for a concert, Carly Rae Jepsen Live in Manila, on Sept. 14 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. (For tickets, log on to www.ticketnet.com.ph or call Ticketnet at 911-5555.)

For sure, Carly Rae will include her hit song Call Me Maybe in her repertoire and songs from E.MO.TION.

Why did you call your album E.MO.TION (and spell it that way)?  

“I wrote over 200 songs on the way to this album. The first song that really sparked that feeling of excitement for me was the song titled Emotion. I chose to spell it phonetically simply because I liked the way it looked and my hippie heart loved the fact that you had to feel out the word.” 

Is this album much more personal than the previous ones? 

“That’s hard to say. The first album I ever put out in Canada called Tug of War was very much just journal entries to music but I would say this album still means the most to me. I learned so much about songwriting and the type of pop music I love best.” 

You said that your intention in making the album is to show “the sides of me that I hadn’t ever revealed in my music before.” How are you like away from the limelight? 

“It’s always hard to describe yourself. I’d say I’m a lot of things emotional, competitive, creative and a bit of a mess at times, too.” 

You also said that the album is about you trying “to get some power back” after you broke up with somebody. How do you usually cope with a break-up? Any tips on how to do it for your fans? 

“I would say the move to New York City was the most healing thing for me. New surroundings, new friends and a new perspective.” 

When are you at the peak of your creative talent?when sad, when happy, when in love, when out of love? 

“I’m lucky that I find the most prolific moments for me to be moments of extreme joy. That being said anything felt fiercely can bring on a song; sadness, too.” 

Where else do you get your inspiration? 

“Eavesdropping. I love hearing about other people’s love lives. I love finding universal themes that every love story has to offer.” 

How much of your personal experience goes into your music? 

“I’d say it’s impossible to write about something you haven’t felt in some way. Sometimes, I’m tapping more into a feeling rather than an actual experience. That part I left my imagination run wild with.” 

How much of you is emotion (heart) and how much is reason (mind)??

“If what you mean is how much of my writing is that initial spark and inspiration and how much of it is analyzing what I’ve written purposely crafting it to make it stronger, then I’d say it’s about 50/50. There has to be that initial spark but equally important is time away from the song so that you can come back fresh and really challenge what you’ve written and try to make it even better.” 

You mentioned Cyndi Lauper as having influenced you. Who else are your musical influences? 

“I really love Christine and the Queens right now, but while I was writing this album I was on a diet of Solange, early Madonna, Prince and Dev Hynes.”

In what medium do you get total satisfaction, singing or acting (you were amazing in the Broadway musical Cinderella)? 

“Thank you very much! I love acting, I love singing, but nothing beats songwriting for me.” 

Didn’t you have any other (childhood) dream aside from becoming a singer/songwriter? 

“I always loved the idea of being like some sort of love counselor. I can remember all through elementary and high school my girl friends would come to me for advice and I loved dishing out my opinions anyway even though I didn’t know much.” 

Does music have any therapeutic effect on you? 

“Music is absolutely therapeutic to me. The right song in the right moment can take away loneliness even if you never met the person who wrote it. It can feel like they know you better than your best friend does.” 

What can we expect from your forthcoming concert in Manila? 

“It’s going to be incredible. The band boys and I have been aching to get there and we hope the new songs will make you want to dance.”

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