Diane Birch says "seems like artists sing with their heads"

Diane Birch, born in 1983, garnered attention as the next generation singer-songwriter as soon as she released her debut album "Bible Belt" in 2008. Of course, her model-like appearance and New York sense of fashion style played a part to it as well, but so did her childhood which she spent traveling to many countries such as Africa and Australia being the daughter of a pastor and coming in touch with gospel and soul music while learning to play the piano. That very artist came to Korea to take the stage at the 2010 Jisan Valley Rock Festival last weekend. 10Asia sat down for an interview with her to talk about her music.

10: Isn't the weather in Korea hot?
Diane Birch (Birch): It's not as hot as New York. That's why I think I was able to adjust to it quickly. (laugh)

10: It's the day before your performance at the Jisan Valley Rock Festival but I believe this is the first time for you to take part in a rock festival of such size. How does it feel?
Birch: I'm really excited. I've only performed in Japan before in Asia but I heard that fans in Korea are particularly enthusiastic. I have prepared a pretty explicit performance for tomorrow's stage.

10: By explicit do you mean to the extent we'll have to do head-banging? (laugh)
Birch: No, not head-banging. (laugh) They [the audience] can expect the songs to be sung in a slightly different style.

10: The title of your record is "Bible Belt." I know it's another name for the southern part of the United States. Why did you choose that as the title?
Birch: I grew up in a strict religious household. Whenever I talked to my family, our conversations would always include the bible or the gospel. I hated how it was suffocating so I also spent several years rebelling. "Bible Belt" signifies the time when I was under the strict religious rules as well as showing how I want to break away from those binds through my music.

10: You said that "Bible Belt" emphasizes the oppressive atmosphere you grew up in but your songs are actually either gospel or soul. Although you said that you wanted to break away from that religious environment, it also seems that you accept the fact that that's where your music is rooted.
Birch: Religion was at the center of my childhood since I grew up as a pastor's daughter. So somehow or another, my music is connected to religion. I think I wanted to shake that off through music instead of running away from it. That's why the music itself is gospel and my songs contain the words angel, miracle or devil but I don't believe in the religion itself. I'm rather more interested in what religion tells us, for example, the doctrine that you must love your enemies. (laugh) And there already are Christian views within pop music, not just gospel. Songs by Simon and Garfunkel and Elton John are perfect examples. It goes the same for Jeff Buckley and motown soul. Pop music that was played in clubs during the 60s and 70s were based on gospel or Christian views so you could say that I'm trying to return to those basics.

10: Soul music has received attention during the past several years and there’s been an increase in artists we call neo-soul singers. Being a neo-soul singer yourself, what do you think is the difference between soul singers from the 60s and 70s and the ones today?
Birch: I actually don't want to judge anyone. But Aretha Franklin and Nina Simone really have incredible voices and I can feel Neil Young's soul when I listen his music. Current artists like Amy Winehouse and Adele have honest and cool sounds. If you listen to Stevie Wonder's music or see his concerts, his voice may sound weird (laugh) but he's really amazing. It's as if his soul is in the air but you can tell that he's really singing with his heart. Compared to that, I get the impression that singers these days sing with their heads. If I had to choose, I would say that I feel more through veteran singers.

10: Aren't you one of the 'current artists?' (laugh)
Birch: Yes I am. There are times when I sing with my head but sometimes I sing with my heart. (laugh) I wouldn't dare think that that I'm a soul singer like Aretha Franklin or Stevie Wonder. I'm working on being myself because I haven't been trained to become a singer. Being able to sing honest and sincere songs is enough for me.

10: Is there any singer who is your role model? Is there anyone in particular that you want be like?
Birch: I like everything about trendy cultures, fashion and bands but I've never felt that I want to become like someone. (laugh) However, I respect Elton John, Nina Simone, Aretha Franklin and Stevie Wonder in terms of their experience. Singers like John Lennon and Michael Jackson created and sang songs that the public enjoys. I want to take myself after them in those aspects.

10: Don't you think you'd eventually become like them? (laugh)
Birch: I doubt it. I feel stupid for even trying to answer the question. (laugh)

10: Well, I'm sure that's what they all thought of themselves in the beginning too.
Birch: I don't know. (laugh) From time to time, I'm told that that I need to be confident and proud but I put in an effort to think realistically.

10: I hear that you're also very interested in fashion and that you even wanted to become a designer like Vivienne Westwood when you were younger. How do you think music and fashion are related?
Birch: I'm a very visual person. That's why I have a huge interest in everything that's beautiful, including fashion. I think Lady Gaga embodies that perfectly. I was in my rebellious stage when I thought of wanting to become a designer so I walked around in 18th century goth attire in particular. I thought of myself as a vampire from those days (laugh) and enjoyed wearing extravagant and gaudy clothes. I pay careful attention to both visuals and music because they are closely related. Of course I can't spend a long time in front of the closet when I'm on the road but I choose hats and dresses like these that'll suit me for when I'm on stage. (laugh)

10: What song do you most enjoy listening to these days, the song that you always listen to on your iPod or iPhone. And it would be great if you could recommend any up and coming band from Brooklyn.
Birch: There's just too many. Seriously, too many. (laugh) Still, I listen to Michael Jackson's "Man in the Mirror" a lot and I recommend the band Zaza. They are incredible. Their songs are dreamy and noisy but the bass is very interesting.

10: What point of your life do you feel that you're passing right now?
Birch: I'm standing at the starting line. Even though I have released an album under a major record label and hold showcases while touring different places, it doesn't change the fact this is only the starting point. It's just that I'm at a slightly better starting line.

Reporter: Cha Woo-jin (Pop culture critic)
Photographer : Chae ki-won ten@
Editor : Lucia Hong luciahong@, Lee Ji-Hye seven@