Q&A with Singer-Songwriter Schuyler Fisk

Tuesday, 10/27/2009

Schuyler Fisk

-What is your favorite book?
“Self-reliance and Other Essays” by Ralph Waldo Emerson

-Who inspired you growing up?
My parents mostly. I love how their lives are creative and always changing. I knew I wanted that in life from an early age. I love the idea that I have no idea where I’ll be next year, next month, even next week. It keeps life exciting. But musically I was really inspired by Bonnie Raitt. I love her effortless bluesy voice and stage presence. She really touched me with her music and is a huge reason why I wanted to make music in the first place.

-What is the best advice you’ve been given?
My parents always told me, “follow your bliss, do unto others as you would have others do unto you, and save your money.”

-What is your favorite pastime?
Laughing with family and friends outside on a beautiful day.

-What is your favorite family memory?
Christmases stand out in my mind. Just the feeling I get when I think about childhood Christmases at home with my family, by the fire, nowhere to be, just family-time. Playing games, making pies, being together.

-What was your best middle school moment?
That’s a hard one. 2 things stick out from middle school. In 6th grade I played Annie in the play “Annie” in school and had the time of my life. Then in 8th grade I made the varsity soccer team which was unheard-of being a little middle schooler.

-What author inspires you?
Not to reiterate the first question but Ralph Waldo Emerson. I remember reading his “Self-reliance” essay in high-school and thinking, “this is literally changing my life right now.”

-What is the title of the last book read aloud to you?
Let me think. Probably a “Mrs. Piggle Wiggle” book. I loved those books as a kid. They were great because they were funny and interesting, but also taught you a lesson.

-What is your greatest accomplishment?
I think my greatest accomplishment is just the fact that I can look at my life and know that I have been the best I can be. I am passionate about what I do and the fact that I am happy with where I am right now, at this moment. I stuck to my guns and made the record I wanted to make.

-Who was your favorite teacher?
I have a few.
Dr. Erb who taught me 10th grade English and opened my eyes to so much (including Emerson’s “Self-Reliance”). He let me argue with him and sometimes he would let me win. But he was a deep teacher and helped us all come to figure things out on our own. He really helped me with my own self-discovery.
Mr. Amos, another high-school English teacher who helped and encouraged my love for poetry and writing to grow eventually into a career.
Mr. Weiss, middle school science teacher who made learning so much fun! He was like “Bill Nye the science guy,” always creating fun experiments and helping us understand things through showing us how it all actually worked.

-If you could be the best in the world at one thing, what would it be?
I’d probably want to be the best friend. If it had to be something more tangible, I’d love to be able to really shred on the guitar.

-If you could have a conversation with any character from any book ever written, who would you choose?
Probably a Dr. Seuss character. What a crazy adventure that would be.

-Who was your best friend as a child?
My Mom.

Check out Schuyler’s biography:

With her vibrant voice and honest songwriting, Schuyler Fisk draws legions of fans to her music, both onstage and online, where she enjoys an active grassroots following as one of the top indie artists on MySpace. Her anticipated debut album THE GOOD STUFF is currently available on iTunes, Amazon, and in other music stores. Schuyler has performed with artists including Sheryl Crow, Rachael Yamagata, Cary Brothers, Priscilla Ahn, and The Weepies. She has also played across North America with the Hotel Cafe tour, with fellow singer-songwriter, friend and collaborator, Joshua Radin, and most recently with Ben Taylor.

Schuyler’s pure sound and soulful lyrics have grabbed the attention of movie producers. She wrote and performed original music for the soundtrack to Zach Braff’s film “The Last Kiss;” she was sought out by producer Reese Witherspoon to write and perform a song for the soundtrack of the film “Penelope;” and continues to contribute songs to many other film and television projects. An artist who is multi-talented, energetic, and versatile, Schuyler has appeared in several feature films and television shows including “Orange County” and “One Tree Hill.”

For more information visit www.schuylerfisk.com

Listen to Schuyler’s single “From Where I’m Standing Now:”

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