Congratulations! We're thrilled to have with us today, songstress Gina French of Utah as this week's Music75 Artist of the Week. Thanks for having me!
Tell us, Gina how long have you been involved in music? I have been involved in music for about 20 years, give or take a few

I understand that you developed a backup band for your new CD, Of Rapture. What can you share about the band members and how each fit in with your sound? Well, I had an exceptional group of players who added so much to my songs. First off, Tom Cram, who was my great producer, and recording engineer. He played on about 3 songs from the album. He pretty much was the glue that held everything together, and who also helped me to reach and complete my vision of, Of Rapture. Then there was my great lead guitarist, Bill Frost, who, with his nice edgy approach as well as his creative guitar lines and innovative sounds, helped to fill out the music, just so, in an unobtrusive way. My rock solid rhythm section included Lance Lee, who is a very intuitive and exceptional bass player, along with another intuitive musician and an awesome drummer - Adam Sorensen. All of these, my core players, really helped to dress up my songs and completed the sound that I was looking for. I was very lucky to have them play on my project. As an added bonus, I also recruited a few more guest musicians on 2 of the songs, which was like icing on the cake.
Is it true that you spent four years of intense studio work developing this project? Why so long? Are you now satisfied with the end result?

Basically the length was due to financial reasons, I just didn't have the means to complete this album in a few months. In a way it was a blessing, because it gave me time to develop my songs and also some new ones came along during the process, this kind of helped to create a diverse album. The long length was also due to my perfectionistic tendencies!
You mention in your bio, the need for growth as an artist. Do you feel this aspect is highly overlooked in the music industry today? Do you believe that any major label would allow the creative freedom necessary for the individual growth you require in your songwriting?

Very much so, at least for me, I need the room for growth. I suppose it depends on one's reason for being an artist. My personal reason is to create and bring out my expressions of what's going on inside. My interest in music usually has transcendental purposes. The special bonus for me is that others might want to listen to my music or take an interest in what I'm trying to create. So, if I don't have the room for growth, than I think it would be a big waste of time, unless I'm in it for the fame and money. I do feel that the music industry doesn't allow for much of this growth, unless you're an established artist that's been around for a long time and you can pull your own strings after awhile. Unfortunately in regards to the major labels, if you're a new artist, it's first about your image, looks, and the marketing. You're a package, not a talent, and the quality of the music comes last, only in rare instances does the music and talent come first. I'm not sure if the majors care about creative freedom for the artist. I think their main purpose is to make a buck. it's dissapointing, and because of these reasons I think the world misses out on alot of great music and artists. Why should they try if they've got all of this in their way? That's the beauty of being an independent artist, you only have to answer to yourself. It certainly works well for me.
Your solo song, "Hard Way" was chosen to represent you as Artist of the Week on Music75. What can you tell us about the inspiration for this track?
What, if any, particular group of listeners would best relate to this song?

My song, "Hard Way" was one of those songs that I wrote by accident, which is the way alot of my songs are written. I just started playing the main chords and rhythm, and the words just flowed out. I guess I had the idea of the lyrics in my mind and they seemed to fit well with the music. It's basically about being a softie or a person who wears their heart on the sleeve, I'm usually guilty of that! In a way, it was also a, "I'm feeling sorry for myself" song. I guess anyone who leans towards these tenderheart tendencies could relate to the words.

Finally, what do you next hope to accomplish in your musical career?

Mainly, I just hope that I'll be able to continue to write, create, and sing. If it all takes me down a better path for my life, then I'll feel very fulfilled and know that it was worth it. I also hope to record more albums and that each one will be better than the last. Recently I have written some new material and have plans to go back into the studio in a few months. If I could travel and tour someday, that would be so great to see the world and perform my music all at the same time.

Thank you so much for joining us today. Everybody, give a big hand for Gina French, Music75's newest Artist of the Week

Thanks again for having me and also for choosing me as Artist of the Week, I'm honored...

By Gina
Music75 Guest Writer