New Music: interview with Melody Gardot

Singer-songwriter Melody Gardot came onto the music scene following a tragic car accident at the age of 19. Since sustaining injuries, Melody has to carry a cane and wear dark glasses. Performing is not easy for this young woman, but through adversity she found inspiration. And it's easily seen in all the self-written tracks on her first full album, "Worrisome Heart", co-produced by a Grammy-award winner Glenn Barratt. Melody's sound is a deep blend of jazz, blues and folk — sincere and alluring. She is matter-of-fact about her flair and her hardships, which adds truth to her music and personality. What inspires this raw talent? We asked Melody a few questions this week.

When did you first start performing?

When I was 16. I worked as a Piano player in Piano bars in Philadelphia.

What was the first album you ever bought? What is the last album you bought?

First: Dave Matthews Band /"Under the Table and Dreaming"

Last: Marlene Dietrich / "Falling in Love Again"

Who are the biggest influences on your music?

The endless number of characters whom never cease to come and go out of my life.

How did "Worrisome Heart", your debut album, come together? How long did you work on it?

A friend of mine is a performer, and she and her husband own a studio in Philadelphia. They asked me if I'd be interested in making a record and the thought hadn′t crossed my mind. At first I said no, but then a few months later decided I was ready. We worked intensely for one week in the fall, but added a few more songs as I wrote them. All in all the process took place over about 4 months.

In many songs on this album you talk about love and how hard it is to find it. Do you feel you are not lucky in love?

I wouldn′t go so far as to say unlucky; maybe I'm just playing at the wrong craps table.

You wrote all 11 tracks on "Worrisome Heart". What do you write first, the music or the lyrics?

Everything happens at once. There is a small window of opportunity for me to write a song as it comes. I hear the melody, lyrics, and music all within moments of each other and simply try to catch it and bring it down from my head through my fingers and onto paper.

Your voice is such a smooth blend of jazz and folk. How did you arrive at this style? Were you always drawn to jazz?

I don't really consider myself a singer because I was never trained, I just sing. Oddly enough I didn′t really get saturated in jazz until late in my teens, but had always loved music with soul. Blues especially offered a taste of that and melodic jazz as well. I've always said if I could have chosen to be any religion I would have been Baptist just so I could be a part of the music that they make. It's dripping with soul and the full spectrum of emotions from pain to joy.

You've done a lot of collaborations in addition to solo work. What makes you take on these projects? Are there any that stand out the most?

I'm not one who seeks out side work, but when the occasion arises and I connect to the music, I'm happy to take it on. It′s a wonderful challenge to try something new. I really enjoyed working this November with Rob Mounsey in London doing the tribute to Ella Fitzgerald at Royal Festival Hall, but I love every collaboration that I do.

I first heard your music on Sirius satellite radio, on Channel 30 (Acoustic). How do you think satellite radio compares to terrestrial radio for you as a musician?

Satellite radio seems to have fewer restrictions than regular radio and has been a huge reason why people have discovered my music. I get emails almost daily from people who hear the music on satellite and that almost never happens as a result of other formats. I think the other obvious distinction is the broadcast range, so some of those emails turn out to be from places I′d not have reached via terrestrial radio. It′s a pretty amazing thing actually.

What's next for you? Are you planning a tour or another album?

I'm writing and working always, but have intentions to record another record in the not too distant future.

What is one thing you can't live without?

Passion; a passionless existence is equivalent to a slow and painful death.

You can find more information about Melody Gardot on her website, www.melodygardot.com