Rockin the House with Musician Astrid Young

Do you sing in the shower? Was your best gift ever a karaoke machine? Do you have dreams of performing in front of a huge crowd of people? Teen Trend tracked down the busy Astrid Young to ask her about her experiences in the music industry. Astrid got her feet wet singing back-up vocals for her brother Neil on his early albums, then went on to be the lead singer for the popular Rock band Sacred Child in the 80s. Now the chick with the dynamic voice is enjoying her career as a popular solo artist in Canada.

TTM: At what age did you become interested in music?

Astrid: I've been playing music since I was a tiny spud, my parents had me going to the Royal Conservatory when I was just a toddler. They taught rhythms mostly, but that's where I started to learn to read music, almost before I could read words! So I think music was just in me. I didn't really start thinking of it as anything more than homework for a few years though. I took piano lessons starting from when I was six, but I hated them! I think when I started playing flute at age 8 or so, that's when things got interesting. I had my first 'pro' gig when I was about ten, third flute in the Nutcracker Suite.

TTM: What sparked your interest?

Astrid: I think the competition at the time, that was my thing. I was never very athletic, but music was something I was actually good at, and it's not a stretch to say that I was better than most of my schoolmates, up until high school at least. Then the competition got really stiff -- I was third flute in an 160 piece orchestra, and I felt that I was doomed to obscurity! That's when I decided I'd rather play oboe: There were only two oboe players in the school, and I figured my odds were better. So bottom line, I was a but of a misfit socially, but music was an area that I could shine. I was a bit of a show-off. I got into playing guitar when I was about 14. My discipline wasn't quite as focused with rock music as it had been with classical, but I used what I had -- sheer guts mostly -- to make myself heard. Eventually, I got good at that too (but my reading went pretty much out the window at that point!)

TTM: What do you use for inspiration?

Astrid: Many things inspire me: a feeling, an idea. Great music is always very inspiring. Beauty, love. Things I feel strongly about, whether that's good or bad. Being uncomfortable. Being different, having a different point of view than what's 'normal'. I've learned to embrace the things that make me different, it's what makes my outlook unique, and it's the reason why people want to hear what I have to say. Not that I have anything so profound to offer, but just a different take on things, than say, what you'd read in the newspaper. I'm never afraid to say or write, or express what I feel, although I have (since growing up) learned to keep my mouth shut if I think what I say would hurt anyone. I never want to cause any bad feelings. Most people can do that well enough for themselves.

TTM: Did you take any formal classes or just go with your gut?

Astrid: I had formal training -- a lot of it -- when I was a kid, up until I guess, age nineteen. All classical, or somehow related to the oboe. I made my own reeds, and I was in a lot of groups -- chamber groups, community orchestras, school groups, master classes, etc. my calendar was pretty full. I probably played 6 or 7 hours a day at the time. With guitar, I'm mostly self-taught, although I did take a few jazz lessons at one point. I never considered myself a vocalist for the longest time, but there did also come a point in my career where I was having some trouble singing -- I was in a band with 2 guitar players and couldn't hear myself because they played too loud! I lost my voice for a little while, and took some lessons to teach me proper technique. Of course, I didn't realize at the time that I was well within my rights in the band if I were to ask them to turn down, or even change the key of a song to suit me better. This is something I had to figure out on my own -- and I don't think any young singer should be embarrassed to ask for a song to be played in a key that's more suited to their voice. Just because it's not in your range doesn't mean you should be able to pull it off. Every instrument has its range limitations, and the human instrument is no exception! So to answer the question, it started with a lot of formal training, and now it's all gut. But it's good to have the training in my back pocket. It comes in handy almost every day!

TTM: Do you have any parting advice for young folks who wish to go into the music business?

Astrid: Absolutely, unequivocally, do it because you love to do it, because the reality of what's on the other end is sometimes disappointing once you get there. Always challenge yourself to be better, constantly set new goals. There is no substitute for practicing -- nobody is a 'natural' who doesn't have to put the time in. Love your voice, love your words, love your point of view, because these are the things that are uniquely yours, and what will help you stand out from the rest. Be brutally honest about your motives, because doing something for the wrong reason will just bring you back to square one, eventually. If it's not fun, don't do it. That's the main thing, have a good time, all the time, while you're playing. When it comes together, when you have that moment of epiphany where your fingers, or your voice seems like it's not attached to the rest of your body, you'll see what I mean. It'll all become clear. Then you'll be hooked for life!

As interviewed by me and printed in the Oct/Nov 2007 issue of Teen Trend Magazine; Reprinted with permission, all rights reserved