I should start off by saying I am a Huge Jem fan. I watched it as a kid, usually before school at 7:30am. Now, it is back with all the glitter, glamour, fashion and fame you can handle, and The Misfits and The Stingers too. The cartoon has quite the following. There are numerous fan pages, message boards, and did you know there is a convention dedicated to Jem? Check out Jemcon.org for more info.
I recently had the truly outrageous opportunity to interview Samantha Newark; the woman behind the speaking voice of Jem/Jerrica. Not only is she the voice of an iconic cartoon but she is also a recording artist who is set to release her new album "Somethin' Good" on October 21st! There is also the forthcoming October 10th release of the COMPLETE Jem and The Holograms DVD Collection she will be promoting. Samantha graciously took the time out of her busy schedule to answer a few questions about the music business, her status as Cartoon Royalty and of course, staying outrageous. So without further ado...
Showtime Synergy!
Hello Samantha!
Congrats on the new album!
Tell me about the new album: What were your influences? Is there a theme?
Hi Xavier, thanks for the invite to chat with you and your readers. My new album is long distance collaboration with a longtime friend in Los Angeles, Keyboard programmer, producer, songwriter Dave Polich. Dave and I have written songs together for film, TV, and we had often talked about doing a record. I guess it all comes down to timing and the time was finally right.
I was writing songs like crazy in Nashvillewhere I currently live and would send Dave the ones I thought were possible good fits for the record. Once we had chosen 10, I flew to Los Angelesto record the vocals to pretty bare bone tracks and then Dave embarked on his production magic. Files were flying back and forth between us for months, it was a crazy way to do a record, but we made it work and are really excited about this album.
As far as influences, I’ve always loved Electronica music like Goldfrapp, Imogen Heap, Everything but the girl, Madonna, Massive Attack. I’ve had so many musical influences along the way and it took me a while of exploring many genre’s with my songwriting and playing live in and out of bands to find where I fit and what I want to write and sing. As far as a theme for the album, it’s funny how a project kind of unfolds and tells you what it wants to be. The title track “Somethin’ Good” was one of the first songs I wrote for the record. It’s kind of got that anthem like quality and in an organic way I followed through with that theme just writing more up tempo positive material and the result is a pretty feel good record.
What was the inspiration for your single, “I got everything”?
“I got everything” started on my Mac in Garageband where all these songs started. I found this awesome vibe and tempo and then with melody and lyrics, I knew it just needed to be in your face very hooky aggressive kind of song. It’s the most up-tempo track on the album so we thought it would be fun as the single.
How would you describe your style of music?
I’d say it’s definitely a straight ahead Pop record with a lot of Synth programming and Loops and atmospheric elements. It’s got Dance influences and also throwback vibes it’s kind of hard to pin down. I just hope that my fans will find something on this record that speaks to them and makes them wanna turn it up.
Are you touring? I can’t wait to tour; I would love to put a really cool live band together. I am in the process of figuring that all out. I can’t wait to start performing this record live.
What is the most challenging part of the recording process? Generally, it’s a really fun process for me especially because I am usually working with people I really like. I’m confident in the studio having done so much session work and so much recording over the years. The only thing that can be tricky sometimes is not speaking the programming language. I definitely know what I like and what I don’t like but get frustrated when I can’t just name the synth sound I’m looking for or why the low end of a track and the groove is just not making me wanna rock out. I’m learning so much all the time about all the different elements that go into the production side of things. I’ve been blessed to work with people like Dave who’s done a lot of stuff for Michael Jackson and David Foster.
So how does Nashville compare to Los Angeles?
Nashvilleis a cool city and is the prettiest place I’ve ever lived. The trees and the beauty are not reserved for the high-end neighborhoods of Beverly Hills, It’s just everywhere. There is also a great songwriting community here but it’s definitely a Country town for the most part. I’ve yet to meet a lot of Pop writers here, I’m sure they’re here somewhere but I guess it takes a while to get in the loop. There are lots of things I miss about LA as I pretty much grew up there. I know all the driving shortcuts, my favorite hangs, and I have some really amazing friends that I miss. I’ve never been afraid to “Shake the tree” and try and different venue – so who knows where I’ll be next, as long as I have computer and internet and an International airport nearby “Have voice, will travel.”
Do you miss the West Coast?
I do miss being close to the ocean, funny how I wouldn’t go very often when I lived in CA but Oh how you miss it when it’s really far away. Nashvilleis a gentler place to live, create, and then go back and forth for work to Los Angelesand New York. As far as touring Nashvilleis close to so many more cities. The whole world has really opened up with the internet. You can do so much now on-line and have your base pretty much anywhere you want.
I was watching Jem recently and thought how did kids in the 80’s (me being one of them) understand what this cartoon was about? There are so many adult themes in the cartoon. Do you think Jem could be made today?
I get asked that question quite a bit and I think if they had Christy Marx and some of the other wonderful writers on board, I think they would champion the original integrity and tone of the show. In my opinion, it’s stood the test of time because of its wonderful values that teach good wholesome messages to kids.
What is your favorite Jem episode?
I haven’t decided yet, I’m still catching up watching episodes on “The Hub” haven’t picked a favorite yet. I did just see an episode the other morning called “One Jem too many” and I had totally forgotten that I got to play an imposter Jem who was this horrible spoiled, self-entitled version of Jem, very fun to get to play that and to see the episode again after all this time.
You are the voice of a Cartoon Icon, what is that like? Advantages/disadvantages?
It’s weird to hear you say that as I just feel really grateful to have gotten to be a part of such a special show that has meant so much to so many people. To see the show back on TV again reaching out to a whole new generation of little kids is even more amazing. I never would have expected I would be here today talking to you and your readers about my voice work on Jem. One of the best parts is getting to meet the fans in person at these Pop Culture fan conventions all over the country and hear firsthand their love for this cartoon. Disadvantages, can’t come up with any it’s all been great.
What does being brave mean to you?
I can’t imagine what some people have to endure as far as bravery. For me thankfully I’ve never gone hungry or gone without shelter or worse. For me it’s always been emotional bravery a theme I write often about in my music. Daring to dream really big and keeping the faith when you can’t see the forest for the trees and you have no cheerleaders. I think living a life of kindness and integrity is brave too when the world would shut you down and tempt you not to be that way.
What’s your dream project?
My dream project right now is to have a really amazing live band so I can tour and play this record the right way I’ve also got so many new songs since writing and recording the record that I just can’t wait to get out and work it all out live with a great band. I would say that is number one Dream project right now. But there is always guesting on a Massive Attack record, doing a track with William Orbit, writing with Lady Gaga, playing festivals, touring the world, and doing some really cool animated voice over work in film and TV and the list goes on.
I asked my Facebook Friends to come up with a question for you, and here’s one that stood out to me:
How does it feel having a doll made after a character you portray?
It is kind of lovely and the fans have been so kind and gifted me Jem dolls so I’m getting a little collection going. Apparently, there is also a pink robot “Ariel” doll, the character I played from the Transformers cartoon but I’ve yet to actually see Ariel’s doll in person.
What’s next for you in 2011 and beyond?
I will of course be promoting my record and also anticipating the release of “Jem and the holograms” DVDbox set by “Shout!factory” an 11 disk set that I’m interviewed on as well as other cast members crew and fans due out October 11th . I’ve got two fan convention appearances in Nashville in October to do meet and greets and autographs with the Jem fans and I’m also involved in this amazing all female driven project called “Womanthology”. It’s an entire hardback book (release date pending) championing young female comic book writers and illustrators and their mentors. I was asked to contribute my song “BlueSea” off my new album to be adapted into comic book form for the book. All the proceeds from Womanthology are going to a wonderful charity and they raised over 109,000 on their kickstarter page for the project. I don’t know what Hasbro has in store for the “Jem and the holograms” franchise in 2012 and beyond but I do know that these fans have become a very special part of my life and I hope I can be a part of whatever truly outrageousness is to come.
Where can my readers find you online?
Thank you!
Thanks Xavier
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