Search - Erika Heynatz :: Sweeter Side

Erika Heynatz on her album: "Over the past few years EMI have given me the grace to really immerse myself in the creative process. In that time I've travelled the world, written and recorded in Australia, the UK and US tunes with some clever and very creative people such as John Alagia (Liz Phair, David Gray, Jason Mraz, John Mayer) and Steve Booker (Duffy, Natalie Imbruglia) Andy Zulla (Kelly Clarkson, Rod Stewart, Teddy Geiger). The whole song writing process felt like a series of bad blind dates to begin with, so many awkward moments suffering under expectations of being able to immediately impress by effortlessly purging forth my thoughts and ideas to strangers. No amount of tea and cake can fill those pregnant pauses before sharing. It's such a wildly random and deeply exposing time of finding strengths in word, voice and sound. I've been lucky to work with people who have been able to provoke honesty and at times a real vulnerability that I think resonates in the songs. And I've learnt to love that process of collaboration, because setting the editing switch to "off" is pretty liberating - and apparently makes for some good tunes too! Recording in places like the legendary Village Studios in L.A, knowing that rock 'n' roll royalty along the lines of Fleetwood Mac, Ray Charles and Joni Mitchell recorded some of their greatest hits in the very same rooms put the pressure on when it came to my turn to step up to the mic. But if you've got the likes of Abe Loboriel Jr whaling on the drums alongside you, it's impossible not to be electrified by the experience of working with world class musicians and having the incredible opportunity to just 'play'. I've had the chance to spend long hours with producers and mixers, rapidly learning how to articulate my ideas so they can create sounds to vocalise my ideas. It is the most simultaneously challenging and exhilarating experience I've ever had."