<p>American folk singer and songwriter from Kentucky, Cheyenne Mize’s introduction to the world was her 2009 album with the band ‘Bonnie Prince Billy’ — ‘Among the Gold’, which kickstarted a journey of gigs, tours and awards. </p>.<p>Known for her dreamy, sweet-sounding country type music, the multi-talented musician and vocalist is in the city to perform along with Corey Smith on banjo/violin, Victoria Fisher on backing vocals and guitar and Neal Argabrite on drums. Cheyenne takes time off from her busy schedule and talks about music, music and more music with <em>Rajitha Menon</em>.<br /><br />Tell us a bit about the musical journey of the group.<br />I have been writing, recording, and touring since 2008. Over the years, I have been fortunate enough to collaborate with amazingly talented musicians. I have worked with the musicians in this band earlier, but we started playing together only recently. It is great to have good friends to work and travel with.<br /><br />How do you describe your music.<br />I like working with layers of musical textures, moody chords, and wide-ranging dynamics. I like listeners to feel like they can live inside the song for just a few minutes.<br /><br />What do you listen to in your spare time?<br />All of us like to listen to a little of everything. The traditional music of Appalachia, rock, hiphop, 1960s soul, psychedelic music from anywhere in the world in the 70s...the list could go on forever. <br /><br />If you could perform with one artiste in the world....<br />There is a Norwegian woman named Susanna Wallomrod who is one of my current favourite artistes. I have played with her a couple times and I would love to do it again. <br /><br />Most memorable gig?<br />I travelled with the ‘Bonnie Prince Billy’ band for a while and some of my best performing memories are from those days. Once we played at a cemetery on the island of Malta and it was magical and mysterious. <br /><br />Funniest back stage incident?<br />Believe it or not, back stage is not as exciting as one might think. I have pretty much always played music with people who take their work seriously so it’s mostly pretty calm!!<br /><br />Your musical inspiration?<br />I am inspired by people who have built a life around doing what they love to do.<br /><br />If not a singer, then..?<br />I am a board certified music therapist and Co-Executive Director of a nonprofit organization. So if not a singer, then I guess I would be focussing on that.<br /><br />What are your thoughts about India?<br />This is the first time for me as well as for all my band members. I have always been fascinated with Indian music and culture. We wish we had more time to travel and take in more of the country.<br /><br />What is your take on Indian music?<br />There is a lot I do not know about Indian music, but I think some of my music has similarities with it— the multi-layered textures of instruments and intricate interweaving rhythmic patterns. I would love to learn some <br />Indian violin techniques. <br /><br />Have you tried the food here?<br />I love Indian food...have done so forever. We have several wonderful restaurants in Louisville, where I live, run by families from India and I eat at those places whenever I can. I love the combination of spices and tons of ginger and garlic. I can’t wait to have <br />authentic Indian food while we are actually here.<br /><br /><em>(Cheyenne will perform at Windmills Craftworks on December 9, 10 and 11)</em></p>
<p>American folk singer and songwriter from Kentucky, Cheyenne Mize’s introduction to the world was her 2009 album with the band ‘Bonnie Prince Billy’ — ‘Among the Gold’, which kickstarted a journey of gigs, tours and awards. </p>.<p>Known for her dreamy, sweet-sounding country type music, the multi-talented musician and vocalist is in the city to perform along with Corey Smith on banjo/violin, Victoria Fisher on backing vocals and guitar and Neal Argabrite on drums. Cheyenne takes time off from her busy schedule and talks about music, music and more music with <em>Rajitha Menon</em>.<br /><br />Tell us a bit about the musical journey of the group.<br />I have been writing, recording, and touring since 2008. Over the years, I have been fortunate enough to collaborate with amazingly talented musicians. I have worked with the musicians in this band earlier, but we started playing together only recently. It is great to have good friends to work and travel with.<br /><br />How do you describe your music.<br />I like working with layers of musical textures, moody chords, and wide-ranging dynamics. I like listeners to feel like they can live inside the song for just a few minutes.<br /><br />What do you listen to in your spare time?<br />All of us like to listen to a little of everything. The traditional music of Appalachia, rock, hiphop, 1960s soul, psychedelic music from anywhere in the world in the 70s...the list could go on forever. <br /><br />If you could perform with one artiste in the world....<br />There is a Norwegian woman named Susanna Wallomrod who is one of my current favourite artistes. I have played with her a couple times and I would love to do it again. <br /><br />Most memorable gig?<br />I travelled with the ‘Bonnie Prince Billy’ band for a while and some of my best performing memories are from those days. Once we played at a cemetery on the island of Malta and it was magical and mysterious. <br /><br />Funniest back stage incident?<br />Believe it or not, back stage is not as exciting as one might think. I have pretty much always played music with people who take their work seriously so it’s mostly pretty calm!!<br /><br />Your musical inspiration?<br />I am inspired by people who have built a life around doing what they love to do.<br /><br />If not a singer, then..?<br />I am a board certified music therapist and Co-Executive Director of a nonprofit organization. So if not a singer, then I guess I would be focussing on that.<br /><br />What are your thoughts about India?<br />This is the first time for me as well as for all my band members. I have always been fascinated with Indian music and culture. We wish we had more time to travel and take in more of the country.<br /><br />What is your take on Indian music?<br />There is a lot I do not know about Indian music, but I think some of my music has similarities with it— the multi-layered textures of instruments and intricate interweaving rhythmic patterns. I would love to learn some <br />Indian violin techniques. <br /><br />Have you tried the food here?<br />I love Indian food...have done so forever. We have several wonderful restaurants in Louisville, where I live, run by families from India and I eat at those places whenever I can. I love the combination of spices and tons of ginger and garlic. I can’t wait to have <br />authentic Indian food while we are actually here.<br /><br /><em>(Cheyenne will perform at Windmills Craftworks on December 9, 10 and 11)</em></p>
