The music of Hans Zimmer and James Newton Howard has meant so much to me for much of my life , so the surprise and delight when our musical paths intersected was one of the greatest highlights and privileges of my artistic journey .
Hans , Edie Lehmann Boddicker and Michael Lehmann Boddicker discovered a video of me on YouTube performing a konnakol solo and this prompted them to reach out to me by email .
Several years later while working on Dune : Part One , Hans introduced my work to James Newton Howard and recommended that he call me to sing on Raya and The Last Dragon . My collaboration with Hans extends to his Remote Control Productions team , as well as the Hans Zimmer Live band .
Whenever I get to work closely with the RCP team and with composers like David Fleming , Steve Mazzaro , Steven Doar , Omer Benyamin , Andrew Kawczynski ... and then on to share the stage with the Hans Zimmer Live band … I always feel an extra spvecial glow on those days .
Could you zero in on the “ Banshee ’ s Call ” from Dune ? How did you and Hans create such a chilling , feel-it-to-thebone melody ?
In addition to Hans being a visionary composer , he has such an inspiring way of transferring imagery and descriptive phrases ; giving specific directions and creating a clear notion of mood , character and sonic-emotional landscape . I am always bewitched by this process and by the loving manner he propels me into some dark and painful abyss or into a dreamy heartbreaking love lament .
My vocal cords in Hans ’ s spectacular orbit need to be made of steel ... because a big part of his creative genius is to keep pushing and experimenting until we finally arrive at a distinctive timbre or phrasing or language shape .
In Dune : Part One so much of my attention was on the wisdom and secret powers of the Bene Gesserit . With Hans ’ s guidance and score , I used inner imagery to visit the sound world and rhythms of my ancient female ancestors .
I was in my tiny closet during covid lockdown and during one extremely vivid and visceral meditation journey I suddenly just belted out at the top of my lungs … the exact “ feel-it-to-the-bone ” phrase that you are referring to : ‘ Ha-hasch Venyo Kivah ’……
What is the difference between making your own music and creating music that materializes someone else ’ s vision ? Do you have to “ feel ” and internalize a movie / show script before being able to vocalize the “ mood ”? Do you have to get to know the actors or something ?
Whether I ’ m creating my own music or collaborating with a composer , my intention is always the same , to serve as a conduit that delivers a story in the realm of sound , rhythm and language beyond thought .
Someone very special to me once gave me a little ceramic unicorn many years ago , I named her Story . I thank Story everyday .
Who would you say are your greatest teachers ?
Everyone is my greatest teacher . Too many to mention here … My antennas are always open for receiving wisdom and guidance .
If I had to narrow it down to one , then that would be Glen Velez . Glen is the steadiest pulse of my planet .
Do you have a personal routine for maintaining and protecting your vocal cords when you are working vs . not working ?
My routine is to stay healthy . I think we all have an innermedicine guide signaling us about what is good and what is not good for us . So I make a solid effort to trust my instincts and adjust each day accordingly in order to support my overall wellness .
During periods of intensive studio work , which can involve unimaginable amounts of multitracking , or in the case of intensive touring , like singing Dune material with Hans Zimmer Live or in my performances with Glen where I need to do quick leaps from uptempo konnakol straight into long toned melisma … for all of these varied situations for the voice , I had no choice but to create my own hybridized extended vocal techniques in order to endure the physical demands on the vocal cords .
Do you practice regularly ? What does your day look like -- when you ’ re working vs . not working ? What do you do when taking a break / relaxing ?
I have no idea what my day looks like … I don ’ t think I ’ ve ever had the same kind of day more than once . It ’ s been a while since I ’ ve taken a real break and I probably should do that soon .
However , it ’ s such a gift to stay engaged and challenged creatively , so I feel grateful to be called upon , whether it ’ s music work , a great conversation like this one , or simply hanging out with my loved ones .
The Score Magazine highonscore . com
33