Hyde Rock

Hyde is an accomplished artist as well as a talented musician and is currently preparing to release her first full length CD in 2006.

Hyde Rock Interview

TCZ: Tell us a little bit about about yourself.

Hyde: I never quit on anything I try. I work hard at it until I reach my goal. And then I get better at it. Sometimes I'm too hard on myself because I'm a perfectionist. For example, if I paint something I can work on it forever. I'd have to ask someone sometimes: Does this look done to you? It is actually rather amusing.

I think it's important to not only pursue your dream, but also master it, and try to be the best you can be. Keep believing in yourself and your dreams!! No matter how many things I have endured, and how many times things have been put aside, they always come back, if that's who you are. You just can't deny it.

TCZ: What was the inspiration behind seeking a career in music?

Hyde: At this point in my life it's my children. They remind me of myself as a child; they seem to have the same interests and it brought it all back home for me. They are really gifted and smart, and their beauty shines inside and out. It's amazing how children can bring out the most amazing things in your life. Since I was about 3 or 4, I always wanted to be a Singer and play the Piano. I came from a very modest home, the youngest of five children, and much was limited. I played on a toy organ as a child; I was pretty good based on teaching myself. By 7th grade my Art teacher called home and had my parents come to his class. I thought perhaps I did something wrong. :) Instead, he informed them that after he witnessed a rendition of a Currier & Ives painting that I was gifted and insisted they encourage me to do more. Although I loved Art, and had been drawing just as long as I had been inging, I still dreamt of becoming a Singer & Musician.

My father wouldn't have it and made me focus on my Art skills. I went to a private tutor at age 13 for about 1.5 years. It ended when I advanced further than the class and the class became too large and I had no more personal attention. I continued to teach myself thereafter. I did not have any support musically and became closeted with my music. It was only in my mid to late 20s I began to sing again because others recognized my gift. I was doing well and getting noticed and I suddenly became pregnant. Since then I have had three children, three beautiful boys who are now 6, 3 and 1.

Of course my priorities changed but I am ready to get back on stage again!! And they all, including my fabulous husband, support me 100%! Sometimes the kids even get on stage and sing with me! :) I want to show them that no matter what happens in life, or what point you are in life, if you work hard, and believe in yourself, your dreams still can come true. Fight for what you believe in, and don't listen to others tell you otherwise!

TCZ: You're working on a new album filled with originals that showcase your talent not just as a vocalist but a songwriter. Tell us a little bit about your new album.?

Hyde: Thank you and I appreciate your interest. I selected a few songs from the many songs I have written that I felt show more of my personality. They are stories many women could tell, even myself perhaps, but it's about life and relationships we have with our significant others. The songs really have individual meanings to each individual; in other words, I can't necessarily tell you what the song is about, because each person relates to the song(s) in their own way.

It's what it means to you. I don't necessarily write things that I experience, but sometimes what others have around me. Yet I feel the passion and compassion for what they endured, perhaps because I can relate in some way as well. There are many songs I'd like to record in the near future as well, I write daily so the songs are piling up!! I have many favorites so it was somewhat difficult to pick my favorites.

TCZ: You are also a very talented artist. Will you be designing your own album art? Any thoughts of the designs you will use to represent the music you have composed?

Hyde: Thanks. I intend to work on my own cover, yes. I would like to show the versatility I have in all of the Arts: Graphic, Fine, and Photography besides being a Vocalist. My passion for all of these things, I hope, will convey as strongly as I feel and have a love for them.

TCZ: As a vocalist you have covered everyone from Heart to The Go-Go's. Which song or artist did you find the most difficult to cover and why?

Hyde: My favorite is Ann Wilson of Heart. I think she probably is the most difficult to cover because she's so unique and such an amazing performer. I also think there's a part of me that idolizes her so greatly I can't imagine even coming close to such a talent.

TCZ: Now your original music style is Blues-Rock a genre Melissa Etheridge has mastered and continues to be a driving force in. Would you compare your music to her style or more soulful?

Hyde: Hmm, that's tough. It's hard for me to be objective about my own sound. I don't think I really sound like anyone, yet it would be an honor to be compared to Melissa Etheridge. I have been compared to people from Whitney Houston to Wynonna Judd It's quite a diverse and far range of genres to be compared to but I suppose it depends what songs I have sung at that time. I admire Melissa Etheridge and do think we have some things in common as far as having a rock edge to our music. My originals will fall in the category of Southern Rock, with even more inspiration from Eric Clapton, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Bad Company, Gavin DeGraw & Maroon 5 among my favorite women rockers such as Heart, Pat Benatar, Tracy Chapman and alike.

TCZ: You have a wide range of influences across many genres. Is there any one artist that really impacted your decision to pursue a music career? Why?

Hyde: When I was a little girl I dreamt of being in a group/band with my sisters like Ann & Nancy. It sounds funny but it's true. Unfortunately none of my sisters sang, had interest or were musically inclined. I wanted to be just like Heart, with my cool bad-kicking ass guitar playing sister. :)

I learned to sing, I believe, from Linda Ronstadt who was so diverse and Olivia Newton-John, both of whom introduced me to the music world in a sense I followed by many classics that my parents listened to.

I also listened to German music, including yodeling, which always intrigued me. I think this helped me broaden my range and variety/style. I have often done this to warm up before I sing as well. As a teen, Patty Smyth, Pat Benatar and Joan Jett (and alike) were big influences. They seemed so independent and powerful to me; being I was such a coy and private person. To see them on stage and perform, express themselves, was so amazing to me.

TCZ: Do you play any instruments?

Hyde: Lead Vocals, Background Vocals, very little keyboard (working on that now I'm teaching myself) and soon guitar! It's busy being a mom!!

TCZ: Any stories you would like to share with us?

Hyde: I was in a local beauty pageant in my early 20s and we had gone out afterward to a Karaoke bar with some of the other performers. I sang along off-stage but was a bit shy to hit the stage.. One of the guys we were with heard me and told me to go up there as many have told me before, but again I had refused. I hadn't gotten much support musically as I said before, so I didn't feel confident to show who I truly was. While I was playing Pool, he put my name in and found out I loved Whitney, So they called me up, I sang, and got a fairly good response. Since then no one can keep me off the stage! ;) Thank you Joe, wherever you are!!!!

TCZ: Is there anything we haven't hit on that you would like to add?

Hyde: I'm working on some collaborations with other singers/musicians I hope to also share with you one day. We're in the process of that now, so I can't really comment on it just yet, but I think you all will love it!.

The Cover Zone © July 2005