Sarah Bettens - "Scream" Release Interview by Annette Warner

It was an extreme pleasure to be able to interview Sarah Bettens, formerly of K’s Choice about her gutsy and solo August release. I think I had some pretty cool questions, and she gave me more than I could ask for, really, in answers…proving she is one of those people person musicians that appreciates all the help to promote her efforts. I love people like that. Read on………By Annette Warner – Editor, GoGirlsMusic.com

 

Sarah Bettens - "Scream" Release Interview by Annette Warner

It was an extreme pleasure to be able to interview Sarah Bettens, formerly of K’s Choice about her gutsy and solo August release. I think I had some pretty cool questions, and she gave me more than I could ask for, really, in answers…proving she is one of those people person musicians that appreciates all the help to promote her efforts. I love people like that. Read on………By Annette Warner  This article first appeared on GoGirlsMusic.com

 

AW:  Anything off limits?

Sarah Bettens: We'll see how far you want to take it. :)

AW: Sarah, How did the decision come about to announce your plans to embark solo? Were there any hard feelings or disappointments with other band members? I see you still have some K’s Choice dates you are playing…any plans for future reunions?

SB: My brother and I were just ready to do something different. There were no fights or huge frustrations, just the need to step away from the familiarity and challenge ourselves again. Routine was creeping in a little and we didn't want to end on that note. Gert and I are still going to South Africa together to promote the K's Choice compilation album '10' that was released there a few months ago. We miss each other and neither of us has ever been to South Africa, so even though we're right smack in the middle of our solo stuff, we felt like we couldn't pass up this opportunity. Whether we'll make more records together and when is a little early to tell. My brother and I will work together again for sure, but how and when remains to be seen.

AW: I have to say according to the many histories of famous band mates going it alone….that the challenge you are taking on as a solo artist is not only risky but bold and, you have made it appear an easy change and seemingly like just a different flavor of cake for your loyal fans. Was it? What has been the most difficult hurdle in your evolution as an artist? What has been the most gratifying?

SB: The most difficult part was probably just doing my thing and trying not to be influenced by what everybody else was expecting me to do. Once I knew what I wanted, I just loved it. I loved knowing that I could actually do this by myself, the combination of the freedom and responsibility that came with it was refreshing. And then just recording differently and with different people was such a blast. It felt like I was really starting over again and I hadn't felt that excitement in a long time.

AW: Did you get a taste of the potential success of this release with the release of your mini-album “Go” in 2004? Was that the green light?

SB: I mostly got a taste of how much work I was going to have to do. :) It hasn't been the easy road, starting over like this, but easy is not why we make music and put ourselves out there. It's the adrenaline, the challenge and the unknown.

AW: What’s in your CD player?

SB: The last album I discovered and absolutely love is 'Absolution' by Muse. Very different than what I do, but I love the passion, the voice, the songs and the production. Just an amazing record.

AW: Favorite American Food?

SB: Bagels.

AW: What is your favorite dish in Belgium?

SB: The meatloaf my mom makes.

AW: Describe a typical off day in the life of Sarah…

SB: At home in Tennessee: wake up, have breakfast, get the kids ready, maybe read to them, get them to school, work out, shower, work a little behind the computer, have lunch on the deck or out with a friend, run errands, pick up the kids from school, make a smoothie for them, help them with homework, throw a ball outside with my stepson (the type of ball depends on whether it's baseball, basketball or football season), get ready for dinner (I'm usually not the one making it), read to the kids after dinner, get them to bed, pass out happy.

AW: From your heart, what do you think has been the most rewarding..personally…in your career?

SB: The most rewarding moment in my life was sitting around the dinner table with my girlfriend and my two step-kids and the four of us laughing really hard over something. I looked at everyone and saw the 4 of us sitting there, so happy to be in each other's company, and I remember thinking "this is as good as it gets".

AW: Think back to the late 80’s when you were still scrounging for a name…and a voice. When the dream was just flowering….what kept you motivated….what maintained that fire and will to go on? Did you really think you’d make it this far?

SB: I never thought any of this was even remotely possible when I was a teenager. It just didn't seem realistic that a girl from Belgium was going to be traveling all over the world with her brother and a handful of songs. It's all been so crazy and amazing. I always knew I loved it and I've never stopped loving it, so it hasn't been that hard to stay motivated. As long as I enjoy it, I will always be able to muster up the energy it takes to do this job.

AW: I really enjoy the cartoon style video for the cut on the project, Stay. Any plans for a full CD length DVD?

SB: I've always wanted to do something with animation and I was very lucky to be able to work with the team that did the 'Stay' video. I always keep a video camera with me and try to capture a lot of our touring and behind the scenes stuff. We made a DVD for K's Choice and it was such an amazing process to go through all that old footage and watch the last 10 years of your life compiled into a few hours. I hope I'll be able to do that again some day with this chapter of my life/career.

AW: Anything different about tours in the States vs Europe? What do you like about one that you miss with the other?

SB: It feels different for me, because being Belgian, it's a dream being able to tour the States and see your record out in stores. As far as the audience goes, it differs not only from country to country, but also from city to city. In general, I feel like American crowds are very open to hearing new music and happy to discover something different.

AW: Any plans in the works already for a second full-length solo release?

SB: Not really. I'm writing already, but no recording plans yet.

AW: Describe your best gig ever!

SB: It was probably a show in Paris. It was this beautiful place with tons of history, it was completely packed and the Indigo Girls opened for us. The audience was amazing and we played as well as we'd ever played. There was magic in the air that night. My parents were there too and we all felt like that night was just different from all the others.

AW: Plan to play any good Coffee Shops? :)

SB: My guitar player and I have been talking about just getting in the car with our guitars and playing small clubs and coffee shops all over the States. Unfortunately, I've been so busy in Europe all year long, there hasn't been any time to do this, but we know that that's always a possibility as soon as we get a good stretch of time. We're open to all invitations. :)