Posts tagged Betsie Larkin

You’ve heard her voice-ing this year’s biggest tracks from Ferry Corsten’s artiste album, Twice In A Blue Moon. Betsie Larkin, an indie singer from New York, started off with experimental pop and rock projects (which will now also see a release soon). As she packs her bags for her weekend gig here in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, we catch hold of her for a few quick questions.

Betsie Larkin

2008 and 2009 have been two very amazing years for you. How did the collaboration with Ferry Corsten came about?
Absolutely! It’s strange how some things come about from hard work and others seem to come out of nowhere. I guess it’s a matter of being ready when the lucky moments come along. Ferry’s manager in the U.S. is a friend of mine and played F a few of my tunes back in 2007. He told me that Ferry would like to try collaborating on his next record but that it wouldn’t be until 2008. It seemed far off at the time but, sure enough, when Ferry was in NY last March, we scheduled a day to write and a day to record. Everything was very seamless and easy – I guess it was meant to be :)

What’s it like touring with Ferry ? Clue us in on what goes on backstage!
Other than Full on Ferry in Rotterdam, this will be my first show out with Ferry on the Twice In A Blue Moon tour. I always go to his shows in NY and those are a blast. We get a little group together for dinner and then hit the club together. I heard “Made of Love” out for the first time at Ferry’s show at Pacha in New York. I was so nervous! Now, I love seeing fan videos from when it’s played out. I saw some amazing ones from Armin van Buuren and Gareth Emery shows.

You’ll be in Malaysia for 2 Days of Freedom Festival at the end of May. Are you excited about this?
I’m so excited! I’ve been hearing things from Ferry’s booking team – the production is going to be incredible. I’m also excited about seeing Malaysia. I plan on getting a tourist book and reading it during the 18 hour plane ride. I think I’ll need at least two books, and a movie, and some cards…haha.

Who would you love to collaborate with, given the chance?
I’m always trying to improve my songwriting and working with other people is a great way to expand as an artist. I like working with producers, musicians, and writers who can see the big picture. I guess I’m fairly open provided I love the music and I can find time to make it happen. There’s a solo record in the works right now and it’s taking a lot of time but I think it’s going to be really cool… when it’s finished!

Tell us more about Mariposa and Diary Thief and the response to those two projects.
Mariposa and Diary Thief were both really fun to be a part of. I teamed up with Brendan Hawkins, of the Mariposa project, at a sort of vulnerable time in my music career. I didn’t know who I was as an artist and he gave me so much support. We would hang out in his jungle-looking studio in Venice and blissfully create music for hours. It was amazing to start to find my voice and experiment with different instruments… including the drums – eek.. not pretty! Diary Thief got me back into the Pop/Rock realm. Bobby Manila, my co-writer, is a total comedian and we had a lot of fun recording and playing shows in Los Angeles. We’re still getting licensed which is cool. I would have liked to nurture each of these projects more but something was pulling me toward NY…hmmm?

What are your upcoming plans like for the rest of the year?
I’m definitely working a lot on my next solo record. I’m taking my time and making sure that all of the songs are something I can be proud of. I’ve also got a couple of fun collaborations planned. I can’t share details just yet but promise to let you know when announcements are ready.

Tell us about your favourite tracks at the moment
I love MGMT, a rock band out of New York. They have such a fresh sound and I think people that are into rock music were waiting for something like this. I’m also digging Ferry’s next single, “We Belong.” It just came out and has this incredibly infectious Summer sound.

And a quick message to everyone who will be seeing you at the show and to all your fans reading this!
Huge thanks to everyone who has written, sang along at a show, or played one of my collaborations in their own DJ set – it never fails to put a huge smile on my face. All of you have made this experience so much more special… and fun! I can’t wait to share the night with all of you – it’s going to be amazing!!

Betsie Larkin performs alongside Ferry Corsten at 2 Days of Freedom Festival 2009 . She will also guesthost Radio KUL 088 with Simon Lee and Alvin which will feature a guestmix by Element One in the second hour, airing Friday 29th May 2009 at 7PM on www.simonleeandalvin.com .

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