Chrissi Poland – Destination Home

By starrymag | September 2, 2021

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

Q) How would you describe your sound?

A) My sound tends to be a fabric of a few styles woven together. You’ll hear a lot of soul in the vocals and piano playing, as well as elements of modern jazz and touches of rock (especially if I’m playing with a full band). There is a pop sensibility to my writing, where I’m always going for that catchy hook and memorable melody.

Q) Who are some of your musical influences?

A) Early influences were the Billy Joel albums of the 70’s. I discovered my parents’ records and these albums spoke to me, the melodies are incredible, and I would sit at the piano and sound out the songs. I learned a lot about pop chord structure from these albums. I was also enthralled with the nuance and perfection of Barbra Streisand as a kid and would listen to her early recordings all the time as well (I was the only twelve-year-old in the 90’s listening to this stuff in my small town). As I got into songwriting more, Carole King, Stevie Wonder and Prince became huge influences.

Q) Talk about the story behind your new song “Wanna Be You.”

A) The message of “Wanna Be You” is simply that – “want to be you!” Be who you really are. Be your authentic self. Know your vibe, find your tribe. I wrote this song for every young person who deserves to feel empowered in their lives to live their truth. This is a beautiful life when we are all encouraged to be our true selves. Isn’t that the point?

Q) What do you think it is about the song that fans connect to?

A) My hope is that they are connecting to that message, one that taps into the universal truth of being honest with the world about who you really are in every way. And just as importantly, feeling safe in doing so. If that helps any one person feel stronger about walking through this world living their truth, I’ve done my job.

Q) You are a part of social media. What kind of sentiments have you been receiving from fans?

A) It’s been wonderful to see the warm response on social media to this latest single, and I’m so grateful for the support. I had a fan write to me about how much this song struck a chord with their thirteen-year-old son who was beginning to come out to his family and friends. That really filled up my heart.

Q) What is your song writing process? Do you need music before you can create lyrics?

A) I often will write music and lyrics at the same time, almost always at the piano. But on occasion I’ll get the melody and lyric idea while driving, or on a flight. When that happens, I’ll write it all down and make a voice memo of the melody I’m hearing and put it to music when I get to a piano.

Q) How much of a hand do you have in the production of your music?

A) A good deal, I would say. I have a pretty strong vision for the production of a song before I go into the studio to fill it out. I love having producers on board who also have a collaborative mindset and can expand upon the ideas I’ve already got simmering. With this new EP, having Stu Mindeman as a producer was a dream. He is an incredible musician and songwriter and has such a gift for seeing the artist’s vision and actualizing it. Together we landed on each finished song feeling thrilled.

Q) Your upcoming EP Destination Home drops in October. What are some themes you explore on it?

A) This EP is really a tribute to this phase of my life, where I’ve had to learn how to balance being a musician who tours with becoming a mother. It’s a delicate balance, especially when I have to go away for longer periods of time. The internal struggle of loving what I do so much and always wanting to be home at the end of the day for my daughter is something I’m grappling with on a daily basis. One tour at a time. [smiles]

Q) What songs challenged you the most to create and why?

A) I think the song “Missing You” was the biggest challenge for us in the studio. It’s a simple song that holds a nod to the girl groups of the 60’s. I didn’t want to go too crazy with the production but kept coming back to feeling that perhaps something was missing from it…It felt like a puzzle where the others did not at all. We finally landed on a version that felt good and when I come back to it now and listen to it, it makes me smile.

Q) What songs from the EP hold a special place in your heart?

A) All of them have a unique sentiment for different reasons, but if I had to choose my top two, I’d say “Wanna Be You” for the important message it holds and “Destination Home” which sums up exactly how that internal struggle I described hits me when I am away.

Q) Where are some of your favorite places to perform and what makes those locations so significant to you?

A) I’ve been so lucky to perform at some of the most amazing locations and venues around the world, I have a long list of favorites! To name a few, Rockwood Music Hall and City Winery in New York always feel like homecomings to me. Also, the Beacon Theatre in New York is such a thrill and I have so many memories of wonderful shows there, as New York City has been home my entire adult life. I am always so happy to tour in the UK, my mother was born there, and I have so many friends and family around England. It feels like my spiritual home.

Q) Who would you most like to collaborate with on a song in the future?

A) Oh man, I could give a long list here! But to just bookend the interview…Billy Joel, call me!

Q) What album/band are you currently listening to and why do you dig them?

A) I’m currently obsessed with Yola. Everyone check her out. I was lucky enough to sing with her back in June and I was simply floored. I’m also beyond impressed with Billie Eilish’s new album, there are a few songs on there that truly knocked me out. That someone so young has such a deep grasp on melody, vocal nuance and lyric writing gives me hope for the future! Also, Chuck Berry is on heavy rotation in our house right now because our two-year-old has gone crazy for him and his songs. Proud Mama right here!

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?

A) First and foremost, THANK YOU! This has been a particularly tough year for artists/musicians, as well as crew and vendors, all the people that work on live shows. All the support I have received from fans over the past year has meant a great deal to me. Every purchase, download, stream, view and share help keep the music and the art alive. I’m full of gratitude for that, and I hope you all like what’s coming next!