INTERVIEW: Mandy Ventrice

I've mentioned Mandy Ventrice a few times on this blog, most recently as an artist "You Should Know." Recently, I was lucky enough to have her answer a few questions for me (and you) to get to know her a little bit better. Mandy, thank you so much for taking some time out of your schedule to answer these for me! I really appreciate it and look forward to hearing more of your music!

If you haven't gotten the chance before, you now have no choice but to visit Mandy's MySpace and check out her songs. I guarentee you'll like what you hear.

>>>Tell us a little bit about yourself.
Mandy: My name is Mandy Ventrice, I'm from California, and I sing and write pop songs.

>>>How did you discover your love for music? Did you come from a musical family?
My father is a musician; he used to write songs for me and my brother to sing when we were kids. I was always around bands and musicians. I feel like music is something I was born to do; it has always been a part of me.

>>>We love that you write your own music. What is your writing process like? Lyrics first? Melody first?
I just start singing melodies and words together, and I go from there. I just let it pop out of me, I don't like to think about it too much because then it feels unnatural.

>>>What three adjectives best describe your musical style?
Unapologetic, sexual and, cheeky.

>>>What type of music did you grew up with? Has it helped influence you?
I feel like I'm all over the place. My father always listened to classic rock, especially The Beatles, while my mother listened to a lot of soul and R&B like Earth Wind and Fire; she also loved Styx. I was always in love with pop music; I think my main influences growing up were Janet & Michael Jackson, SWV, Mariah Carey and Cher. As I got older, I started to listen to a lot more rock music, like The Used, Stone Temple Pilots and Third Eye Blind.

>>>What's your favorite song you've recorded so far, and why?
I have written and recorded so many over the years, it is hard to choose. I think out of my more recent work, my favorite is "Ditto", especially since I gave my boyfriend's car a shout out in that song.

>>>What is the process like in the studio? Are you more of a studiohead or a touring girl?
I don't tour or perform a lot, I am hoping that will change this year. I have my own studio at home, and that is where I spend most of my time writing. The past couple of years I have been writing alone, so I am feeling a little sheltered. I'd like to get into a room with other writers soon, so I can grab some of their creativity. It's just a bit hard right now, since the people I am working with are in another country.

>>>Do you have any plans to write for other artists? Have you in the past?
At one point, I spent a lot of time writing for other artists and I think it drained me. While I love to collaborate, at this point I am in a place where I want to focus on my own project. I feel like I owe it to myself to finally put both feet in.

>>>What current artist has really blown you away recently?
Santogold. I admire her originality and I find her music so fascinating.

>>>For the average Mandy Ventrice fan, what album(s) do you feel they should absolutely have in their collection?
My current favorite is, Only By The Night by Kings of Leon. And I think everyone should definitely own some Jeff Buckley and Missy Elliot records.

>>>Is there a song on the radio right now that you've heard, love, and wish you could have recorded?
I am really loving "Halo" by Beyonce. I love the melodies in that song.

>>>How did your connection with Lights Resolve come about?
I've been dating the lead singer for four years and I've been close with all of them before Lights Resolve was even born. I met them about a month after I first moved to New York in 2004; they are the only family I have here, so I feel very connected to them.

>>>Perfect World Scenario: You can tour with ANYONE as a double headliner bill. Who would you most want to go on the road with?
Missy Elliot, hands down.

>>>What's a random little known fact about you that most people don't know?
I am a neat freak like Monica Gellar on "Friends". My friends think I am crazy.

>>>As a young female musician, do you feel its important to be a positive role model to young women?
I feel that it is important to express yourself, and be who you are. I feel uncomfortable with the idea of being someone's "role model" because I've done a lot of stupid things just like everyone else, and I don't want someone to look at every decision I make and feel that it is something that is right for them too. I hope the one thing young women take from me, is to be independent and honest...and to try to be the best person you can be.

>>>A lot of people seem to compare you to Lady Gaga. Is this a comparison you like?
I respect Lady Gaga for standing out, and trying to be something different in this industry, so I think the comparisons to her are flattering.

>>>Do you have a specific first single in mind?
I think I will be releasing "Hussy" soon.

>>>Any chance that we'll see an album soon? Even if it is released independently through iTunes?
I am working on that right now. I have about six songs done so far...one of my goals for this year is to put something out, with or without a record label's support.

>>>What do you think is the biggest problem in the music industry right now?
I wouldn't even know where to start. I hate that so many talented artists and bands get overlooked because they don't have a million plays on myspace everyday, or haven't sold thousands of albums on their own. I hope that someday very soon, the music industry will be about actual talent again, and not popularity or reality TV.

>>>Message to the fans?
You guys are sensational, and I hope my new music is making you shake your rumps!