Q: Can you tell us a bit about yourself and how your childhood impacted your musical direction?
A) I can’t remember a time where I wasn’t actively taking music lessons or teaching music lessons. I started keyboard lessons when I was 5 years old and I’ve always found myself drawn to the world of music. Perhaps it’s the creative aspect of it that I love the most. I love to make art. I’ve been making music now for over twenty years. Being able to merge my love of teaching with my love of creating is what has led me to the world of children’s music.
Q: How are you planning on growing your fan base and sharing your music with the world? What message do you have for anyone who is about to discover “Beppie”?
A) Right now the only thing that I’m planning is to keep making really good music that is enjoyable and meaningful for kids and their grownups. I love the music that I make. When you stay true to your process and to your art, then everything else will fall into place as it should. If you haven’t heard my music yet, I would say that it’s an adventure. There’s meaningful messages for kids delivered through a mix of styles that include rock, hip hop, dance, folk, funk, punk, and so much more. It’s truly an adventure and every track is unique.
Q: Who is the most inspiring artist for you right now? And where do you find inspiration for making music?
A) I write all of my music with my music partner, Justin McDonough. Justin is also the mastermind behind all of the production and engineering. We draw inspiration from so many places, but mostly from our own music tastes, which are incredibly diverse. It would be impossible to pinpoint a singular artist that inspires our music. We just listen to so many different genres across many generations. Maybe that’s why our discography has so much variety.
Q: Can you tell us about the story or message behind the song, “Reset”?
A) “Reset” carries a message to kids that it’s totally normal to get stuck, feel low, and struggle from time to time. I’ve coached my own kids and music students through tough moments on countless occasions, and I wanted to use music to share those relatable feelings and talk about the power of positivity. So, I was looking for a way to empower listeners to step away from the task, moment, or barrier and reset. It’s an upbeat rock anthem that parents and kids can use as a soundtrack in those tough moments.
Q: How would you describe your sound in one word for potential listeners?
A) Eclectic. My music doesn’t follow any rules. I just follow my heart.
Q: Did you face any challenges while writing or recording “Reset”?
A) There are always challenges when making art. They come in different forms. Sometimes it’s financial limitations, sometimes it’s a time restraint or a deadline. This album was unique in the sense that we had more support than we have ever had before. We had access to more resources and we got to work in a gorgeous studio space. I think the challenge for my team and I this time was the deadline. We were fortunate enough to receive funding from the Alberta Foundation for the Arts, but this came with a deadline that added pressure to get things wrapped up by a certain date. We were able to get everything done, but not without some sacrifices and some very long days.
Q: What is the message of your music? And what are your goals as an artist?
A) The message of my music changes from song to song. I have released over sixty songs for kids that cover so many different topics. I write songs about gender diversity, mental well-being, and kindness. I also write songs that are full of humour and fun. Songs that make you want to get up and sing and dance. Regardless of the message, I work hard to connect to my audiences in meaningful ways.
Q: Who is your dream artist to collaborate with? (dead or alive)
A) I would absolutely love to collaborate with Fred Penner. He’s been such a huge influence in the genre of children’s music and I would love to see what we would create together.
Q: What is your advice for people interested in pursuing music as a career or for those trying to enter the industry?
A) Don’t compare yourself to other artists. There’s always going to be someone who has more fans, more streams, more shows. Don’t waste any time worrying about that. Stay focused on the vision in front of you. Your version of success is going to be unique to you just like your music is unique to you as an artist.
Q: If you could go back in time and give a younger you some words of wisdom, what would they be?
A) Get comfortable with making mistakes. Perfection is an illusion. The magic happens in
the mistakes.
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