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CINDY O'NEIL

*Tell us a story behind one of your songs*.

Here is a story about one of my songs called, "William". When I was little my father and I would go stone collecting in the summer. We'd get up at twilight, dad would have a cup of coffee, tea for me, and then into the car we'd jump.
Often we drove for up to 2 hours and into the middle of nowhere before finding 'the right spot'. It continually amazed me that dad knew where these places were without a map.
One summer's day in 1997 I felt an overwhelming need to be near water. As is sat secluded in a patch of bushes by the bank of the Elbow river, I began to weep uncontrollably. It happened so abruptly I felt like a switch had been flicked.
Words and music began to pour out of me. There was no thinking involved, I wrote them as though in the midst of conversation. When it was over, I realized it was Father's Day.

*What do you listen to when you are at home?*

My radio is usually tuned to CBC 102.1 FM. I love classical music, how it flows and charges all at the same time.

*Who or what has influenced your writing significantly?*

Life experience has had a big impact on my writing. My Celtic heritage comes into play in that I see the stories in life. That comes out in my music. I've been told that all of my songs seem to have a point to them. There were numerous styles/genres of music played in our family home, so as a child I was exposed to tonnes of great music. The diversity of that also shows in my writing. For some of my tunes you can hear jazz/blues influences, though most of my recent music gospel/pop nuances come forward.

*What highlight in your songwriting/performing could you share with us"

Well the most recent highlight in both my songwriting & performing is having been invited to sing one of my tunes during P.F Sloan's show at the 2007 Calgary Folk Music Festival. I took his songwriting workshop this past July. During the workshop I sang - a capella - one of my unfinished tunes for the class. Long story short, I was blown away and honoured to have P.F Sloan invite me to sing a song during his show. I finished the song over the following 2 days and sang it. When I got backstage after the song P.F said "You finished the song!" I gave him a big hug and said "Yes, all thanks to you."

*What have you learned that you could pass on about songwriting/performing experience?
- never do a show without a microphone - no matter how 'small' the room or crowd. I did that once and it made for a challenging night.
- if you are a songwriter who doesn't sing get performing/recording vocalists to record demos of songs you want to shop to publishers or recording artists.

*Any tips or advice you could give to songwriters?*

That's always a tough question for me. Most songwriters I've known have all had the same battle "do I write what I am or write for commercial success?" From having asked myself the same question and had lengthy interesting discussion with other writers...the tip I think to give is write what you are. Even if it isn't commercially huge or the 'current in sound'.

*What plans or goals do you have for the next year?*

This next year will be mostly about writing and recording. I'm co-writing with other artists and quite enjoy the collaboration process. Any new music I record will be launched on my website. I'm also working on a 'short' video for one of the tunes off of "Flight". I'm having a lot of fun creating the footage. that will be launched on my site as well. No solid timeline on completion of the video...though its almost done, I am still piecing together all the footage.

*Where can we buy your CD?*

You can buy "Flight" from my website. All of the tracks and many singles can also be purchased for $1 and download for ipod listening pleasure.

Email: info@calgarysongwriter.com

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