Melissa Etheridge has been working in the music industry for over 20 years and in this time has established herself as a music legend in the rock world. Hayley Woodgate interviews her about her new album Fearless Love, what it means to be back in the studio, and her dream of performing a "knock down, drag out" session with Janis Joplin.
Melissa Etheridge has been awarded numerous accolades such as entertainer of the year at the Juno awards alongside an Academy Award for best original song, "I Need to Wake Up". She has battled with breast cancer, been open about her same-sex relationships, and is now about to release Fearless Love, her 11th studio album, on April 27.
Working with new band members who have extensive industry knowledge and producer John Shanks, who helped create the popular 1999 album release Breakdown, this is a modern rock album with classic old school influences blended in to create another Etheridge classic. "Fearless Love" is the first single released, which opens up the doors to a great album of fresh rock rhythm.
With an upcoming tour in North America and Europe, an upcoming appearance April 27 on Dancing with the Stars, and performing "Fearless Love" on the Ellen show (May 4), Etheridge has a full schedule and rock fans have a whole lot to chat about. Here is what she has to say in response to the questions Hayley Woodgate put forward...
Fearless Love, the new album, is due out April 27th in the US. What is the meaning behind the album title?
Well it's about being fearless. It's about choosing love over fear. It's a way, a philosophy of living life that suits me well.
Having experienced so much in the music industry, do you still get that same exciting feeling like when you released your first album?
It's different. It's still exciting. Nothing's going to change the process of creating and recording and putting it out and giving it out to the world. That's still exciting no matter how many times I've done it.
This album you’ve worked with producer John Shanks, who you’ve worked with previously on the album Breakdown, which was a huge hit. There are also new core band members Sean Hurley, Victor Indrizzo, and Jamie Muhoberac. It’s a great mix of talented musicians but why the change for this album?
I like change. Change keeps me at the top of my game, I believe. Change moves energy around and I felt this album was different than what I've recently done. I thought John could really get the best that it could be and bring the best musicians in. It's just where I'm at.
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Article comments
1 - Edward C Gordon II
Ms. Melissa Etheridge
c/o Hayley Woodgate
"It's just where I'm at."
"only one"
Miss you.
Thank you;
Warm regards,
Edward Gordon II
Ferrara Highlands Energy
2 - Christine
Melissa Etheridge is one of my favorites.
3 - Simon Thunder
Melissa Etheridge told Oprah earlier this week that her breakup with wife, Tammy Lynn Michaels, was "as mutual as those things can be." However, Tammy has posted something much differently on her blog, mentioning that she was "blindsided."
Not sure if I agree with that perception of things.
4 - steph H
Saw Melissa in NYC on 7/14/10.
She is as exciting as she was when I first saw her over 20 yrs. ago! She loves being on stage, ans she loves connecting with the audience !
She likes to take in the crowd and looks right into fans eyes!
When she looks at you, it feels like she is looking right into your soul!
love her!
and Great interview Hayley!
5 - Cathy
Melissa E YOU ROCK the fearless love album is just that fearless Beware :)