Be A Brazen Girl: Gretchen Lieberum Interview
- interview by Jianda Johnson
"Be a brazen girl/as you wander this world," Gretchen Lieberum sings confidently. Newly-signed and working her way up the "music biz food chain," Gretchen catches us up with her music, her artistry, and per philosophy of delicate, beautiful polite persistence, and how it enriches her music career.
If you aren't yet hipped to Gretchen Lieberum's sound, think: Portishead, Norah Jones, Coldplay, Jon Mayer, and you'll almost be there. Whether you're a female artist, love female artists, or you're somewhere inbetween, you'll find the smooth curve swirl of this girl's music's quite delightful.
What have you been up to since the last time we chatted?
Gretchen: Well, my album, Brand New Morning, was picked up by Lakeshore Records, an indie label under Warner Brothers. It was released in April of 2000, and sales have been growing slowly but surely! The promotion my label did for the album was pretty minimal, but a few strategic positive reviews, listening stations, and strong word of mouth have helped sales tremendously. On Listen.com, my album was bouncing around the top five for several months, along with Norah Jones, Coldplay and, inexplicably, Eminem! Apparently, Norah Jones got her start on listen.com as well, before she was in the Billboard charts, which certainly is a positive sign for me.
What kinds of press have you received in response to your recent shows?
Gretchen: The response has been really positive, which is great, because I am such a perfectionist, and can be very insecure about performing!
Any plans to do video work?
Gretchen: My label is flirting with the idea of making a video, but I'm a little bit cynical about the whole thing, to be honest. I know quite a few bands who have made videos that end up being played once on MTV2 at 4:30 in the morning! And then, the cost of the video is recoupable to album sales (in other words, the artist ends up paying for it!) However, videos can be really beautiful and creative and interesting and can certainly draw attention to a song.
What's your favorite song on "Brand New Morning?"
Article comments
1 - Esmeralda
Gretchen:
I really love your music, you're so great.
Thanks
Esmeralda
P.S. Kisses from Mexico
2 - Jose
Hey what's up gretchen
Your music is so universal that inspire people who like good music to create every day and every minute more music like this....
From Colombia,
Jose
3 - Aimee
Hi,
Thanks so much for your music! I have just recently discovered you and "Brazen Girl" was one of the first songs I got to listen to. That, Bottle Rocket, Rapture of the Blue and Brand New Morning are my fav's so far. I listen to you about every day. Your music is really awesome and I look forward to seeing you in concert sometime soon. Thank you!
Aimee
4 - Lisa
Setting up my house with Christmas decorations, I turned on my tv (cable) and set it to the light jazz channel. I was very focused on what I was doing, then heard "Rapture of the Blue". Had to stop what I was doing and read the info on the tv. I wrote down Gretchen's name and the song title. I looked it up online and I'm headed out today to buy myself and a couple of friend's the CD! I LOVE IT!
5 - Eric Olsen
Excellent, thanks Lisa - love to hear about people finiding msuic! Hope you are well Jianda.
6 - Andie Ryan
Gretchen,
Your song, "Angel on My Shoulder" from the "Mean Creek" soundtrack absolutely gave me chills. I have bought everything you have done and hope to see you live one day. Good luck to you and your career. If you ask me, you already are the next Norah Jones. If you tour, don't forget, you have fans in Boise!
- Andie In Boise, Iaho
7 - bayo
Gretchen, have been a fan of yours since the early mp3.com days. I am so glad to hear that the New Album will be released soon. I'm counting the days!
keep doing what you do so well, madam!
8 - Derek from Palo Alto
Your work is great and I also liked "Angel on My Shoulder" from Mean Creek. I was excited because I thought it might mean a new album, but no.
Good luck with your work and I hope you have something out in the near future.
9 - Jacob Estes
Everyone! Gretchen has a new record out called SIREN SONGS. You can get it only at cdbaby.com/lieberum (as of today) and you can sign her mailing list at www.gretchenmusic.com
Go!
10 - Kevin from Phoenix
You can also hear Gretchen's music on Rhapsody! Goosebumps.
11 - Bob, 16 years old, loves it
I think I'm in love. The music is supreme. The woman is hot. I bought my CD on Amazon and I've played it a million times already. Keeps getting better every time I hit play.
12 - Iris
I bought this record on Amazon.com. It was my first introduction to Gretchen Lieberum. Her songs are some of the finest chill out music I've ever listened to, and I've listened to alot. I totally agree with all the comments about this record SIREN SONGS you find on CDbaby or Amazon. It is all at once lush and beautiful, dark and lovely. Music Week put her song PAPER TIGERS on their weekly playlist. They called her music "Pure escapism" which in once sense is true--it is the kind of music that helps you forget yourself for a moment--but that is because it is so transcendant--because it touches so deeply on feelings that are at once completely specific and yet totally universal. One blogger who wrote a review on Amazon called her song "Can You Hear Me" like a prayer. I agree. Off the charts good and unusual in an age of lemmings.
13 - Benno Ehrlich
A song has stayed in my mind for the past two weeks and I could not remember from where it originated. Then I went over the movies I had seen on TV recently, got to "mean creek" and there it was!
An really amazing song by Tomandandy and Gretchen Lieberum. This is first-class music!
14 - kurt
for a newer story on Gretchen, check.
15 - kurt
for a music video by gretchen.