1. Well Chantel you are the “newcomer” in top 5, how does it feel?
** Um, it feels warm and fuzzy inside. I appreciate the revival of support on STP!
2. So tell me your story, when and how did music become part of you?
** I guess I probably have a somewhat typical story, but music really has always been a part of me. I suppose that it was discovered when I was maybe 5 years old and would put on performances for my parents friends. Of course at that young age it doesn’t really seem like a huge talent could develop from it, but I suppose my performing stood out compared to most children, so I felt compelled, something in me, to continue developing it. Support and encouragement does a lot to propel the longing to share a gift. I’ll leave the long blabbering version to a hopeful future biography!
3. Your music is really hard to describe in just a few words, there is so much diversity in it, where does that inspiration come from, who are your influences?
** Oh man, there are so many influences! I think it’s funny when I’m compared to artists I’ve never listened to, and you wouldn’t necessarily be able to tell some of the artists that I did grow up listening to. All that inspiration turns out unique to me when it comes out as my own interpretations, sub-consciously. I grew up with parents who listened to country, rock, main radio pop in the early 90’s…and I grew up going to church and loving gospel music. When I was seven or so I received a ‘Roxette’ tape and I loved it! Haha, would you have guessed those Roxette songs were some of my childhood anthems? I grew up and discovered more and more music for myself…Radiohead, Modest Mouse, Cake, Volcano Girls, K’s Choice, Alanis, David Bowie, Jeff Buckley, Eva Cassidy, Mariah Carey, Greenday, Queen, Pink Floyd… I think really, there are not a lot of artists that I’m a diehard fan of—it’s more songs for me that inspire me. I grew up listening to the mainstream radio stations but also grew up in a foster home from age 7 to 17. My foster parents were baby boomers, so we would go on road trips and listen to the Shirelles, Gene Pitney, The Drifters, Buddy Holly…all the golden oldies type stuff. I started musical theatre in school in grade nine & became hugely theatre influenced. My favourite is West Side Story. I’m also a pretty visual person, so sometimes I’m inspired by seeing something that strikes my soul. I can hear a beautiful, inspiring song and create my own imagery through how the song makes me feel. I’ve always been drawn to angelic sounds, harmony, soul, and sad songs. Honestly, it is hard for me to really pinpoint what my ‘sound’ is as well! My description is pretty varied isn’t it? I really don’t analyze it, I let it come out however it does…because I feel like I am the vessel for the creativity to flow from, but it is not all from me necessarily.
4. Your music can in a way be found in Kettle corn (similar to pop corn) bags, this really intrigued me (and I think that it will also pop some question marks above readers heads) so please do tell more about this “project”.
** Haha ya it’s pretty awesome. A well-known songwriter recommended me to a new company that makes popcorn here in Canada, and they wanted to pair up with emerging artists to help them discover an audience. It’s sort of quid pro quo—we promote each other. I think the owners of the Kettle Corn company love music and know that you have to get it to fans in unique ways nowadays if you are an unknown artist. I think they just sincerely want to help artists find more people to listen to their music. What a cool pairing. They are not a label that I’m aware of. Here is my link on their site: http://hevydmusic.com/artist.php?artist=chantelupshaw
5. You are feature on Tom Jackson Productions Myspace page, and are obviously working with him. How did that affect your career, what did it change?
** I’ve actually never worked with him—I can’t afford him haha! But yes he is quite amazing. I’m a member of MusicBC in British Columbia here, and they hold career seminars for artists. They bring in special speakers, help us learn about licensing, anything to do with the music biz and being an indie artist—they talk about. It’s a government-funded company, and they brought in Tom Jackson for a seminar. The artists who registered—there were about 150— were asked to bring a CD for him to pick a song & evaluate, and some artists were asked to go on stage beforehand and perform. I wasn’t one of the artists who was chosen to perform, but he contacted me like a month later and asked if I’d like to be featured on his myspace site…gladly I said yes! He did greatly influence me through his blogs and the seminar I had attended on how to better my performances.
6. What are your plans for the future and how far are you from completing them?
** I am working on new material right now. Well the material is finished, I’m working on demoing it at home and with help from talented friends who know how to engineer. I have no funds, haha so my goal is to raise money for the marketing costs of putting out an album and having it be well heard. As you can imagine, it’s a longer process than I’d prefer because getting friends to work for me while I can’t really pay them—it takes more time because they can’t just do it all at once and not work. They want to help me out though, and have faith in my abilities, so I’m lucky to have found some cool people to work with. I will also be recording for a few days in a great studio that a friend owns, which definitely helps a lot because that’s expensive. But I really want to step it up and be able to release an official product really soon. I like taking the time to make this music the best I can, and doing it right is really important to me. I don’t want to do this half-heartedly, no way. I want to finish this album within the next 6 months and then create tour demand and market it with merch and the whole bit. I would love to get into the US and UK with the album, and getting some licensing in tv/movies would be an amazing way to generate revenue to continue this train chugging along.
7. Try to imagine your life without music, where do you think you would be?
** Oh dear. I would probably be doing something else creative since it comes in different forms for me, most strongly with the music. Or I’d be comfortably cozied up on my own Valcor (Neverending Story reference;) soaring through the clouds in a dream, breathing fresh air and feeling the sun on my back with nary a care…after saving the world, of course, and inventing a spacesuit that allows intergalactic travel.
8. If you want anything else to say that would encourage people to roll some money towards getting you financed, here is your chance to do so.
**I feel weird hustling for money BUT at the same time, being compelled to share what has been created is the stronger desire! Really I just want the ability to give what is in me to give, and to have the fiscal ability to do so would really mean so much to me. I am really appreciative of the support, and I want to do my part with the funding security. I have the business ability to be a successful indie artist and bring this to a larger audience. I don’t want to just do this for a little project and waste your time/money, I want to tour and take this to the highest level I am able to. I can not predict the future, but I truly feel compelled to work really hard to attain goals that myself alone could not realize, but with help…all possibilities are within reach. I’d make ya proud STP ma’s and pa’s! :0
9. Must test the stereotypes; do you love watching hockey (who do you cheer for) and can’t live without your maple syrup? 
** Eek. I love hockey if I’m watching it with my friends and it’s the playoffs. I’m the worst ever Canuck because I honestly don’t know my stats at all and couldn’t tell you who won last night’s/week’s game! I don’t focus on that. As for maple syrup…who could live without it!??! Seriously, there’s just no denying how essential it is 
10. Imagination let loose; if you would find a lucky gold fish that would grant you 3 wishes (personal, so peace on world and similar are excluded) what would those 3 wishes be?
**To have a successful music career on my terms (ie, be able to maintain a personal life but be a respected artist who is known for her music not her gossip column capabilities)
* To be surrounded by family and friends who love me for me and we are all a strong support system for eachother
* To make a great impact as a human being who is able to realize her potential on many planes and thus inspire others to be a light in this world and make it a better place
11. Thank you for taking your time, take care and continue creating beautiful music!
** I’ll do my part ;0) Thank you muchly!
http://www.myspace.com/chantelupshawmusic
