Call Me Maybe: CG's Interview with Carly Rae Jepsen

Carly Rae Jepsen is the newest pop princess to hit the music scene. After dropping her incredibly catchy pop single “Call Me Maybe,” the 26-year-old Vancouver B.C. native is experiencing a whirlwind of support from fans! “Call Me Maybe” is the #7 most downloaded song on Itunes and is currently #2 on the Hot 100 Canadian Billboard charts! With the all the buzz surrounding Carly’s amazing new single, it is no surprise her music has caught the attention of mega-stars like Justin Beiber and Selena Gomez. In fact, Justin’s manager Scooter Braun of Schoolboy Records, has just signed Carly!

However, Carly’s recent success is not coming out of nowhere.

“Since I was 7 music has been a big part of my life,” Jepsen said. “At every party or family event I would always find my way to the stage.”

Carly also found her way to the top 3 on season 5 of Canadian Idol, which she says “gave [her] the first fifteen minutes of fame and gave [her] the hunger to show individuality.”

The following year, in 2008, Carly released her debut album “Tug Of War,” a folk-based compilation of Indie tunes; now in 2012, Carly is venturing into “pop-land” with her brand-new E.P. “Curiosity.”

Getting to Know Carly

What do you like to do in your spare time?
CRJ: I love hiking and baking, which is relatively new. I don’t have television though, so I’ve been reading a lot more books, which is really awesome, and it is helping with songwriting! Other than that I just like to chill with my family and friends.

What is one thing your fans don’t know about you?
CRJ: I’m a really big fan of the game chess! When I am at home my boyfriend and I play chess together every morning.

Who is your celebrity crush?
CRJ: I have a few celebrity crushes, but I think number one would be Ryan Gosling.

If you could meet anyone in the world who would it be and why?
CRJ: I think it would be pretty rad to meet Bob Dylan. Lyrically, he is one of the most fantastic writers, and I think I would really get along with him.

Music

Has music always been a big part of your life?
CRJ: Since I was seven music has been a big part of my life. I loved singing on stage, and at every party or family event I would always find my way to the microphone. It’s been strength of mine, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Who are your musical inspirations?
CRJ: Lately I really love Kimbra, La Roux, Florence & The Machine, and I have been a huge fan of Feist for a few years now.

What is the best part of the music industry?
CRJ: I like how there is a different job everyday and there is no routine. It is exciting that everyday is an adventure and always a total surprise!

How do you handle the pressure of being an artist?
CRJ: I like to keep a good team of people around me. Surrounding yourself with good people makes things that are stressful seem not so tough!

You auditioned for Canadian Idol and placed 3rd, how did that experience change your career?
CRJ: It gave me my first fifteen minutes of fame. I think what was nice about not winning was that I was able to put out songs that were original rather that covers. It gave me the hunger to show my individuality and show that I wanted to write songs!

Song Writing

You often say that you like your music to feel like a journal or diary entry. Explain.
CRJ: Yes! There is never one way I go about songwriting. However, personally I find [writing] very therapeutic. I often find myself stuck on a word or I find a line or two that I really like, and that is usually how it starts.

What inspires you when you write music?
CRJ: I find if I go outside I am always inspired. I think going on a long walk and bringing a notebook is always a great way to get ideas.

Current E.P.- “Curiosity”

What was the hardest part of putting together your current E.P. “Curiosity?”
CRJ: I think it was narrowing down which songs to choose. I think I had about three albums worth of material and I had to decide on six songs. It was almost like picking between your kids - you love them all! I ended up having a listening night with all my friends and family and I let them pick.

What did you want the overall vibe of the E.P. to be?
CRJ: I wanted it to be really honest. I experimented with a lot of different sounds, and it eventually lead me down a trail that landed in “pop-land,” which is interesting because my roots are folk-based, and I think this is really a pop-folk collaboration.

We love the name “Curiosity” for your E.P. How did you pick it?
CRJ: “Curiosity” kind of happened to me. It was a song that is about this new pop direction and it was never I song that I expected I would sing, but as soon as it was done and I was at the microphone I felt it was my song. I was wondering if I could take on the new direction. I was curious about trying something new, which is really how I got the name. For me [the title] has a double meaning.

What do you think fans will connect to most with “Curiosity?”
CRJ: I am hoping that they feel good about it. I think when I decided to do a song that was embracing more dance-y beats, the main emotion that I wanted to evoke was playful or joyful, and I want people to feel good. I hope that is what it is like for the listener.

“Curiosity” has a more pop vibe than your previous album. What was making that transition like?
CRJ: When I was originally attracted to those [pop] sounds, I was hesitant to go there because my roots were folk. I ended up getting rid of that fear and embracing the decision. After that, I let the music lead the way, and I wrote a pop record naturally!

Hit Single: “Call Me Maybe”



What is it like to have “Call Me Maybe” become so popular so fast?
CRJ: It is so flattering and so exciting. It means a lot on many different levels.

What was it like the first time you heard “Call Me Maybe” on the radio?
CRJ: It was really neat! I was at home with my roommate and I had a radio interview that morning. The radio host asked me if I had heard my song on the radio yet, and I said that I had not and I was nervous to hear it. He told me what time they were going to be playing the song, so my roommate and I ran out and got some champagne and celebrated when we heard it for the first time. We had a little dance party together.

How did you come up with the idea for the song “Call Me Maybe?”
CRJ: It is a personal imagination with this song. I have never been brave enough to use pick-up lines or ask guys to hang out…it is just so awkward to me! I think the reason why this song felt exciting to me was because it was me living vicariously through my braver song version of myself!

Music Videos

What is your favorite part of making music videos?
CRJ: I like the prep work involved. I love talking about different ideas and imagining what story your song will take on. I think the video does affect the listener, and there are so many stories you can link to each song. I enjoy all the things that lead up to making the video from the initial ideas to deciding on the clothes to the different actors involved!

When you write music do you have ideas for what you would want the music video to be about?
CRJ: That’s funny you say that. I have written a treatment for every single one of the songs that I have ever written; however, none of them have been put into action yet because generally my ideas require more money then ever! My ideas are very theatrical and over the top. I always write up my ideas, and it is fun for me to that!

Share with us some of your ideas! What do you want to try in your music videos one day?
CRJ: I am not sure how I would incorporate this, but I would want to have this elaborate style maze with a white horse in it. I wanted the idea to be chasing after this majestic animal and for it to represent an entirely different thing! I’d have to go really deep into the song for it to make sense…my ideas are really, really creative!

What artist’s music videos inspire you?
CRJ: I really like Kimbra’s music videos. She always has that edge and that theatrical element, which is really cool. For me, having a creative video is really, really important.


Live Shows

What is it like before you go on stage for a performance?
CRJ: It is always a little nerve wracking, but it is only nerve-wracking for the first 30 seconds. It is kind of like when you meet someone for the first time…there is that initial thrill, and then when you get to know them you can be yourself. That is what it is like for me to be on stage.

Do you have a good luck charm that you take with you on stage to perform?
CRJ: When I tour I take a little knick-knack with me, or if it is just the boys and I, we will have a little handshake before we go on stage. I don’t want to get hooked onto one thing because I don’t want to get superstitious about anything, so I switch it up. Whatever it is, it is for fun and for excitement!

What is your favorite thing that you have worn to perform in?
CRJ: I love performing in tutus, but they are a little outrageous, so you have to be at the right venue! There is a childlike playfulness in a tutu, but I also feel like the right one can be really sexy as well. For me, it is the greatest combination.

What is the overall vibe of your performances?
CRJ: I like it to feel imitate, but I want it to be comfortable enough that we can all just dance and move and enjoy it together… if it is like that, then there is no pressure!

Her Fans

You have thousands of fans that love you. What is your message to them?
CRJ: I love them right back! In the song “Call Me Maybe,” the line “before you came into my life I missed you so bad” was originally about a boy, but now when I sing that song I sing it for the audience because I mean it. Having all of the supporters that I do, it seems too lucky to be fair!


Has there been a particular special moment that you have shared with a fan?
CRJ: There are a couple special moments in particular, but I think every time the audience sings along it feels really magical.

Next Steps

How do you want to advance your career over the next year?
CRJ: I want to just go up! I want to keep riding with it and continue with my music with my friends and the people I love.

How have you changed as an artist over these past years?
CRJ: So far it has just been a journey of learning about the business, the skill of songwriting and how to hone in on it. I feel like over the past couple of years I have also grown a lot as a person with who I am and what I am about. I think knowing who I am has really helped me with my career.

Where do you want your music career to be in ten years?
CRJ: Whatever it is is meant to be! I don’t want to plan it out. As long as I am songwriting I will be a happy woman.

What can fans look out for from you in the future?
CRJ: More music! I have a feeling I am going to be embracing the pop world in a big way because my love affair with it is increasing! So I would say expect the unexpected!


By: Annie Robinson | Source: Carly Rae Music