Interview: Emeli Sande – Singer and Songwriter

Date of Interview: 08/23/2012

Emeli Sande is the 2012 winner of the BRIT Critics’ Choice Award. Sande’s debut album – Our Version of Events – became the year’s biggest-selling new release in the United Kingdom, as well as the fastest-selling since Susan Boyle’s I Dreamed a Dream (2009). The critical and commercial success of the Scottish-born singer led her to play a crucial role in the 2012 Summer Olympics – performing Henry Francis Lyte’s hymn “Abide With Me” during the Opening ceremony, “Read All About It” (Part III) during the Closing ceremony, and a cover of John Lennon’s “Imagine” exclusively for BBC’s coverage of the Games.

“Wonder” – Our Version of Events’ fifth single – will be released on September 30, 2012. In support of the Naughty Boy-produced track, Emeli Sande managed to squeeze some time out of her busy schedule to settle down for an interview with Clayton Perry – reflecting on life as a medical student, the “science” behind music-making, and her emotional attachment to “Heaven.”

Interview: David Guetta – Internationally Renowned Deejay

Date of Interview: 10/09/2009

© 2009 Clayton Perry

2009 was David Guetta’s year.  And for good reason: he was the producer of “I Gotta Feeling,” which became the best-charting single of the Black Eyed Peas’ career, and “When Love Takes Over,” which become Kelly Rowland’s second #1 single in Europe.  Coincidentally, the success of both singles dove-tailed on various international charts—flip-flopping positions at the summit of music charts in Ireland, Czechoslovakia, Belgium, Spain and Switzerland.

Unafraid to take musical risks, David Guetta successfully blended the best of Europe’s electronic beats with America’s hip-hop sensibilities.  His fourth studio album, One Love, was released on August 21, 2009, and features collaborations from Akon, the Black Eyed Peas, Chris Willis, Estelle, Kelly Rowland, Kid Cudi, Ne-Yo, Novel, and Makeba Riddick.

In the midst of a promotional tour for One Love, David Guetta managed to squeeze some time out of his busy schedule and settle down for an interview with Clayton Perry — reflecting on his first deejaying gig, his multiple collaborations with Chris Willis, and the inspiration behind One Love.