Jazz and electronica are very complex, intricate genres at times. How do you write your most ideal lyrics and vocal arrangements and yet still make them accessible?
Gretchen: Honestly, I don't know! The whole process is a mystery. I'm even a bit lazy about it! Things either come to me in a certain way, or they don't. If I force it, I can hardly write a note!
Who are some of your favorite artists?
Gretchen: I love a really wide range of stuff, from Nina Simone and Sarah Vaughn to Beck to Neil Young and Bob Dylan to the Pharcyde. Sade has been my hero for many years, and I listen to Joni Mitchell and Stevie Wonder almost daily. I've been a huge Prince fan since the 5th grade (his older stuff, mostly). Lately, I've been listening nonstop to Zero7, Cesaria Evora, Rufus Wainright, and a local LA band called Brazzaville that's fronted by Beck's sax player.
Tell us about some of your upcoming gigs, and what's on the horizon for the next few months. :)
I'm playing at Galoka in San Diego on Thursday, 3/27. I'm also playing in Los Angeles at Genghis Cohen on Friday, 3/28, and I'm playing in San Francisco on Wednesday, 4/2 at Bruno's. You can get more info at www.gretchenmusic.com, or at www.mp3.com/gretchenl.
I plan to keep working on new material in the next few months, with a goal to record this summer, and hopefully I'll solidify some kind of national or European tour.
Also, I was recently featured in USA Today in an article about Listen.com/Rhapsody. It's an interesting article about the legal downloading of music from the internet. Please check it out at: UsaToday.com- JJ
All of Gretchen's songs are completely delicious, but we know you'll take a shine immediately to: "Three A.M." and "Bed's Too Big Without You" (from "Three A.M.") and "Brand New Morning," "Blue September (featuring DJ Cut Chemist from Jurassic Five)," and "Lost Our Way." (from "Brand New Morning")
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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.