Pistol Pearl – Knock ‘Em Dead

By starrymag | November 22, 2024

By: Karen Steinberg

 

 

Q) How would you describe your sound? 

A) This Pistol Pearl project (thirteen songs) is pop music with a country/western influence, blended genres. When I released “Boot Down” on TikTok, hundreds of listeners responded with the question…”Is this Shania Twain?” All they could see was my face covered and they heard Shania. I remember that Shania’s music blended her music too and she hit both country and pop charts.

 

Q) Who are some of your musical influences? 

A) Lady Gaga, [Shania] Twain, Madonna, Dolly [Parton] and more recently Post Malone, Sabrina and Chappell Roan!

 

Q) Talk about the story behind your new song “Knock ‘Em Dead.” 

A) I have a big TikTok following and I noticed that many of my followers are middle and high school students. Most of us were bullied in school and I just wanted to tell these kids, “Yes, there is probably something you are not good at, and haters are happy to point that out. But there are things you are really good at. Let THAT light shine and show off your talents. Don’t let the haters push you into a corner. Come out swinging by being proud of yourself.”

 

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

A) It’s spunky and inspiring. TikTok chose it for their “Breakthrough” program. I had no idea what that was, but I’m told they pick songs that are doing well on Spotify and have lots of interaction on their platform and ask their big accounts if they want to use the sound in what they call a “create.” This gave my song A LOT of global attention. And those creators LOVED “Knock ‘Em Dead!!!” They all shared their interests and talents with my sound. What a gift that was!

 

Q) How does the video for the track play into the message behind it? 

A) I didn’t do an official video for “Knock ‘Em Dead” – just posts on TikTok. Same with “Boot Down” (this video will be released in January with a remix by someone incredible … can hardly wait!!!). These posts went viral, and the songs got more exposure than any other place on social media could ever offer. Then the TikTokers go to Spotify to listen to the whole song. I released another song on November 1st on Spotify that will have a complete video on YouTube called “Smoke Show.”

 

Q) “Boot Down” was another banger from you. What is your song writing process? Do you need music before you can create lyrics? 

A) No, I am a traditional country music writer where you sit down and come up with music on guitar or piano and write lyrics in the same sitting. But, for this project, I had the chance to work with renowned pop producer Sawyr and he sent music to me and top-liner Mandy Ventrice, and it was magic. Mandy and I wrote thirteen heaters in very little time and sent them back to LA for Sawyr to polish off. We wrote GREAT music I could feel it was something special when it was happening.

 

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

A) On this project, I let Sawyr and Mandy do their thing. They did a fabulous job!

 

Q) With “Knock ‘Em Dead” out now, will there be a full album or EP coming in the near future?

A) 2025 – stay tuned!

 

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

A) I’ve traveled the country singing over 1000 times, at which time I quit counting. My favorite is going home to Pensacola Beach, FL at a concert called Bands on the Beach. I do this once a year and thousands of my friends, family, locals and tourists come for a 2-hour concert in a gorgeous spot on the beach with the moon shining down on the Gulf of Mexico. It’s heaven for me.

 

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

A) The list is endless. [laughs]

 

Q) What artist/musician are you currently listening to and why do you dig them? 

A) Chappell Roan is never afraid to step outside boundaries.

 

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

A) I started singing publicly at age twelve. Some of those supporters are still with me. There are never enough hours in a day to keep up with all the comments and love on social media, but I try. I hope they know how much they mean to me. I hope they feel the love and appreciation. I am so grateful to have their support. I call them “the Alligator Army” and they are mighty!!!