One of the best things about writing for a blog is that I get the chance to introduce people to new artists. And I absolutely love that. I remember when I was younger every month, I looked forward to new issues of Circus, Metal Edge, Spin, AP, and even Rolling Stone. The reason was the new artists I would read about that month. It is because of those magazines that I came to know of a few of my favorite bands.

In my five years with Tuned Up, I hope I have been able to do the same for others. And that is what this interview is: to introduce you readers to a new artist. The artist in question is Krista D, a solo artist from Canada. I hope you enjoy. And, as always, see you peeps at the rock show!!!

TUNED UP: The first thing that caught my eye when I opened my email was a line/quote. It goes, “like a 50’s housewife on murder pills.” And at that point I was pulled in. So my question is what does that look like? What is a 50’s housewife on murder pills?

That’s a quote I snagged from an article describing me—the journalist probably meant it more in regard to how I dressed when I performed (apron, puffy 50’s type dress paired with ripped fishnets and knee-high boots), but it also kind of rang true to who I was in general. So I use it as my one-liner.

When I released my last album, I was starting to shake off my traditional 50’s housewife approach to living and I was taking various happy/”murder” pills trying to cope with some dark realities. So I was in a half-and-half state or kind of teetering somewhere between trying to be perfect and going completely mad with the effort.

I think that resulted in my overall musical persona—like a grinning 50’s house wife holding a warm apple pie…. with the pie server concealed behind her back to stab her abusive husband to death.

TUNED UP: How would you describe your music to someone who has never heard you?

I’m just going to say: 90s. I was trying to go for a 50s/60s vibe (ooo’s, doo-wops, upstroke guitar, 3-part harmonies), mixed with a bit of punk rock, because I wanted it to be a mix of sugar and grit, but I don’t think I managed to bring that across, based on the feedback I’ve received.

The lyrics are deeper than the vibe of the music—sonically it’s probably easy to assume it’s fluffy, but that’s to help skate the themes of domestic abuse and rape, past the listener, in a way that it’s not too heavy.

TUNED UP: You started recording music when you were 15, what was that experience like for you?

You know, probably not as exciting as you’d think it would be. Not that I’m ungrateful, it was a cool experience, but at the time I had very little interest in being a recording artist. I grew up in a charismatic Christian household, so there wasn’t a lot of non-religious influences and certainly no idolizing of any rock stars. So, I wasn’t really that into music, and there I was creating it. Then the whole thing culminated in the studio owner’s girlfriend inviting me out to dinner to ask if I was sleeping with him. And that just gave it all a big WTF finale.

TUNED UP: How does your visual art play into your music?

I paint my own album covers and do all my own artistic branding; it’s a great money saver. I do pretty much everything myself.

In a broader artistic sense, the things I paint or sculpt about are also the things I write songs about. It’s all just a steady stream of venting life experience through various media.

My plan is to combine the two as much as possible; I’ll sell my art at merch tables and will likewise try to sing at gallery openings for my visual art shows. If I ever manage to generate enough income for it, I intend to create and choreograph some artsy stage performances for when I sing. I’m not the most interesting stage performer on my own, but my imagination is kind of “out there.” If I can bring that to a stage, it should make for an entertaining spectacle.

TUNED UP: Your sound is very eclectic. Who are some musicians that inspire you?

Well, on the theme of my growing up fairly sheltered from music, I still—even after all these years—only have a flimsy knowledge of what’s going on in the music world. It’s funny how much your childhood shapes your habits.

The sound of this project was greatly influenced by a radio program that I was obsessed with when I was little. I used to hold my clock radio out my window to try and get clearer reception and then try to write down the lyrics as quickly as I could, so if the same song came on next week I could sing along. It was a show called Finklemans’ 45s and it played hits from the 50s, 60s, and early 70s. I don’t know the names of many of the artists that influenced me, but I always credit that program as a musical influence. I just need to find a way to have it come through more successfully when I record.

TUNED UP: What is the recording process like for you?

It can be a bit challenging. I’m trapped in my head a lot. I’m not very proficient at any instrument but will still compose parts for instruments I have zero experience with, like trumpets or a tuba.

The biggest asset to my creative process are patient engineers. They’re my heroes. It’s a lot of plunking things out on the keyboard and patching it to instrument samples to give to session musicians. I’m working on new material now, and for the first time I won’t be working out the skeleton of my rough demos with the help of a guitarist; we’ll see how I do.

TUNED UP: It’s almost summertime, what are some of your favorite things to do this time of year?

My summer is going to be spent doing an artist residency. I’m thinking about creating a series of works about the effects of childhood trauma. It’s not the most cheerful summertime plan, but it’s an important topic. After the residency I’ll hopefully fit in some music performances with my “band,” which right now consists of 3 mannequins. I guess that’s kind of an art installation too: it’s a performance art piece about the challenges of finding and hiring live session musicians.

TUNED UP: Lemonade or Sweet Tea?

Pink Lemonade, because it’s pretty.

TUNED UP: Favorite Summertime movie?

The only movie I’ll probably be watching this summer is The Bad Seed as I’ll be needing to clip up and edit it as a component of my art installation. You know, the more I talk about my summer, the more I’m realizing it’s going to be dark.

TUNED UP: What is the best album, band, or song to ride around to in the Summer?

“On a Carousel” by The Hollies 😀