Erica Lee singing with Henry Kapono in Honolulu
Q: What's your latest news?
A: I just recently won the Bay Area's Country Colgate Showdown! My new album "Road To Recovery" will be released in late October 2009, and I'm having my album release party in my hometown of the last 8 years, San Francisco at Broadway Studios on October 24th at 8 p.m. in North Beach. I'm privileged to have San Francisco's favorite country duo tribute, "Fat Boy Floyd and Sarabeth Annmarie," followed by the winners of the Western United States Country Colgate Showdown, Fresno's Whisky Row." I am excited to bring my country music to San Francisco for a night that won't be forgotten!
Q: What inspired you to sing?
I have always loved being in the spotlight, ever since a play in pre-school where I stole the show and sang my heart out. Singing was never an option as a career path for me, but I always loved to sing. I was sneaking into bars at the age of 18 to sing karaoke every night of the week. When I began to sing in a local classic rock band, I realized that not only was I good, but I could make money at it. Then as I started my own classic rock cover band Pier Pressure, I went through some tough emotional times during which I found strength through writing poetry, and began putting them to music when I bought my guitar in 2008. I taught myself how to play, and booked shows all over the bay area. I didn't know music theory, and ignorance was bliss. When I heard people saying how much they loved my music and voice, I knew that this was what I was supposed to be doing. Writing is my therapy and singing is my passion. What else can I ask for?
Q: How has being born and raised in the south affected your musical views?
Everyone always asks me... "Why are you living in San Francisco if you're a country music singer?" I just tell them that I fell in love with the bay area when I moved out here at the age of 18 on my own, and never really had the desire to move back to the south. Now that I'm able to tour so much, I get to see my homeland more often, and that's a perfect fit for me.
(Part III: Erica Sunshine Lee talks about the San Francisco music scene)
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