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DENNIS:
Let’s talk about MP3’s.
MP3’s have helped promote your music. However, for many
artists, especially Asian - International and Asian American artists,
who are trying to break ground and establish their career, MP3’s
are hurting them because people are downloading the albums instead
of buying them. What
are your feelings about the situation?
KRISTINE:
I believe in MP3’s. I believe that they should be available
as samples. I don’t think you should have to buy a CD on a hunch
and regret your purchase. However, I also feel that if the samples
satisfy, you should buy the album. Especially for artists like
myself who aren’t making much of a living from this. I do this
because I love it and I am sure that there many artists out there
who make music because they love it too. It would be wrong to
download all their songs without supporting them in any way. If
you can afford to buy the CD and you feel the music has given
you something, I think you should also give back. That’s my take
on it.
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DENNIS:
You have a lot of songs with very cool music.
I haven’t seen you perform live but are you going
to do the Britney Spears thing and incorporate tiring dance
moves while singing?
KRISTINE:
I don’t know if anyone can
successfully “do” the Britney Spears thing except Britney
herself. I fear the attempt might kill me. (Laughing) I
intend on making my performances as fun as possible. So
if there is dancing, it should be enough to have fun with
and not to tire me out entirely so that I can’t sing anymore.
The main point of a live performance I think is to hear
the artist perform their stuff. So, I would like to incorporate
as much dancing as I can without jeopardizing my singing.
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DENNIS:
Let’s talk about the music industry.
I’m going to bring up three situations and you tell me
how you feel about it and would you go that route.
Would you ever use sex and profanity to an extreme with
your image and music?
KRISTINE: Everyone
uses sex on some level I think. It’s matter of amount and degree.
I think it is in our nature to use sex to lure people into our
lives. However, if there is so much sexual content that an audience
is uncomfortable then I define that as going too far. To incorporate
profanity is a little too extreme for me.
DENNIS: Right now we need to support our Asian, Asian Canadian or Asian
American artists but there is cattiness and competition.
For example Bay Area vs. Southern California artists, or
West Coast vs. East Coast artists.
What is your feeling about that?
KRISTINE:
I
think it shouldn’t be that way. In my ideal world, there would
be no competition among struggling Asian artists. There is enough
struggle as it is, I think we should support one another and make
it as easy on ourselves as possible. Make love not war!
DENNIS:
Your album “I Never Knew” was highly anticipated by many
of your fans. Describe
the experience of recording your first album.
KRISTINE:
It’s funny. I can’t really sum it all up. It was such a roller
coaster. There were extreme highs and extreme lows. All in all,
though it was an experience that I wouldn’t relive any differently.
DENNIS:
What did you want to see implemented in the album and do you have
much of a say into the songs or the musical direction in your
album?
KRISTINE:
This album is my baby, and so naturally I wrote it in the way
that best reflected me. There was no way that I wasn’t involved
in really so I believe I had quite a lot of say in it.
DENNIS:
I was listening to some of your songs and you have a good balance
of dance music and
ballads and the lyrics are very cool.
You also are into poetry and when I listened to the song
“WE”, “MY HEART STILL BREAKS” and “I NEVER KNEW”, it was very
JEWEL-like. Would
you like to do what Jewel has done by being an artist and also
having collections of your poetry published in your own book?
KRISTINE:
Definitely! You read my mind. I would like to take that step in
the future and release a collection of poetry. I’ve gone this
far in sharing my thoughts, emotions and my life, so really, what's
the point in holding back right?
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DENNIS:
Would you ever consider experiencing an album with more
tracks like “I NEVER KNEW” or would you focus more on the
dance side of your music?
Or would you like to keep a balance?
KRISTINE:
Initially my entire album did sound like I NEVER
KNEW. ;p I am a depressing writer. (Laughing) However, Omegared
and Kingmin’s touches lightened up a few of the songs' tones.
It gave the album a nice balance I found and I appreciated
that very much. I couldn’t give myself that balance and
so I am very enamored of Omegared and Kingmin’s talents.
DENNIS:
Are there any plans for a remixed edition of some of your
songs to be used in the International club circuit?
KRISTINE:
There are intentions, yes. I don’t know how certain things
are though. We will both have to wait and see. =)
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DENNIS:
Has having an album and people loving your music changed
you as a person? Do
you look at life differently?
KRISTINE:
Absolutely not. I am the same nerd-dork I have always been.
The only difference that might be sneaking up on my life is that
I need to be careful with what I may say or do because there are
eyes on me. There may be people seeking answers and such and I
would never want to be an example of the wrong things or decisions.
DENNIS:
Describe your first experience with a fan coming up to you or
contacting you?
KRISTINE:
Surreal. I always feel like I am in a role-playing game.
Like for today, I get to play famous Kristine. Tomorrow, I go
back to playing nobody Kristine in PJ’s in the library. It’s so
silly.
DENNIS:
You seem to be a very fashionable person.
From the photos that I have seen, you have “the look”.
The style that can transcend your music to International status
especially in East Asia.
How conscious are you when it comes to your hair or fashion?
KRISTINE:
I am a fan of style. I like to live it up. Who doesn’t right?
We all like to wear what we think makes us look all right. So,
I just enjoy looking the best that I can, though on some days
it may not be so hot if you know what I mean.
DENNIS:
Speaking of Asia, do you listen to any Asian pop music?
KRISTINE:
Yes, quite a lot actually. From Utada Hikaru, Namie Amuro to Sammi,
Amei to Phuong Thanh, Thanh Lam and that’s not to mention any
guys yet.
DENNIS:
What do you like doing in your free time - out of the house?
KRISTINE:
If I have any! (Laughing) Lately, I’ve been enjoying long talks
over a plate of finger-food appetizers. With so much time devoted
to my music career and school career, I barely have any time with
the people I love, so when I do get the time I just love sitting
around and talking… while picking at yummy food.
DENNIS:
Do you have many ex-boyfriends or friends that you have never
heard in ages trying to contact you now that you are becoming
known worldwide? If
so, how does that feel?
KRISTINE:
In the last couple of years, yes there have
been mysterious people reappearing and remembering a tight friendship
that I don’t recall myself. It feels, on some malevolent level,
rather satisfying, to be honest with you. It’s like showing up
at a high school reunion with a great career. You feel like you’ve
done well!
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DENNIS:
In one of your interviews you discussed how sensitive of
a person you are. In a way I think that’s good you brought that up.
I know many actresses and performers who are expected
to be strong but people need to realize that they are just
as human as everyone else. Are
you the type who can read poetry, sit in silence
and think or even watch a certain scene and then you can’t
help but cry?
KRISTINE:
I have been told that
I am that type of person indeed. I am often moved by people’s
capability to feel. It’s amazing how many emotions a person
can possess and execute. So, if I feel something intense
in a piece of art like that, yes I would cry like the baby
that I am.
DENNIS:
If you have one word to describe yourself, what would that
be and why?
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KRISTINE:
It’s so hard to condense anything of myself into one word. I barely
know myself enough to describe myself with a thousand words. If
I absolutely had to choose one word though, it would be “honest”.
I give everyone a chance and in showing my true self to them,
I hope for that in return.
DENNIS:
Let’s do a little word play.
I’ll give you word and you give me the Kristine Sa definition
of the word:
KRISTINE:
a. LOVE:
sacred
b. SUCCESS:
perception
c. MY FIRST KISS:
messy
d. BRITNEY SPEARS:
hot!
e. BOBA
(Bubble Tea): Honey milk
please
f. HELLO
KITTY: at times she scares
me
g. SEX:
personal
DENNIS:
What are your personal and professional goals?
Where do you see yourself in the next ten years?
KRISTINE:
I think that’s the hardest question
for a 19-year-old. I am never able to answer this question consistently.
So here’s my take on it today: My personal and professional goal
is simply to know that I was able to reach out to somebody. The
more people the better. It’s a sense of unity and solidarity between
them and myself. If we’ve made a connection on some level, I feel
like I have succeeded. In ten years, I hope to continue with music
in some shape or form. I would like to continue to be involved
with drama arts. Lastly, I would like to see myself starting a
family then.
DENNIS:
Many people will look to you as a “role model”.
Does that make you happy or is it a title that you really
don’t want?
KRISTINE:
It makes me nervous because I need to be
so careful with what I give out. If I can offer some kind of guidance
or advocate positive messages, it would be an honor.
DENNIS:
What final words would you like to leave to your fans and supporters?
KRISTINE:
A great big THANK YOU! To thank you alone is not enough.
I don’t think there a word accurate enough to measure my appreciation.
I never would have dared to ask for this much support, so thank
you. I’m a rather dependent person in the end so to have people
willingly support me is amazing. It’s a beautiful haven for me,
thank you so much.
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For more information, music samples or video
clips of Kristine Sa, make sure you visit her official Website
at: http://www.kristinesa.com/.
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