Betsie Larkin is a vocalist, songwriter and guest writer/vocalist out of New York City. Her most recent collaboration with Ferry Corsten spawned two songs, "Made of Love" and "Feel You," that appeared on Ferry's album "Twice in A Blue Moon." Betsie joined Ferry at the annual production of Full on Ferry at Ahoy Rotterdam, a masquerade ball with 9,000 fans in attendance celebrating the DJ's diverse and colorful career.
"Made of Love" received overwhelming support from the DJ community, including being the 5 track overall in 2008 on Armin Van Buuren's "A State of Trance," and was voted 1 in one of Above and Beyond's radio broadcasts. As a result, it became the second single and the first vocal track to be released from the "Twice In A Blue Moon" album.
Sameer and Jacquelina caught up with Betsie to interview her for TrancePodium.
When did you discover Electronic Dance Music?
It was the Summer after one of my years in high school. I have to credit a few of my friends for finding out about EDM. Carl Cox was playing one night and the show blew me away. One of the things that I love most about EDM is that it's just as much about the visuals as the music. Music comes to life in a completely different way when it's synchronized with lights, screen visuals, etc.
Where were you when you first heard "Made of Love" on the radio for the first time?
I was driving back to my apartment in New York and Ferry's show "Corsten's Countdown" came on the radio. It was soon after the single was released and Ferry played the Duderstadt remix. I was so happy... I had already parked but sat in the car and listened to the whole thing even though I had the CD upstairs.
You have a very eclectic style on an esthetic level which is quite unique in my opinion, I like how you turn towards the more alternative fashions, and carry them beautifully! Have you ever considered endeavouring yourself in the fashion industry? Which designers would you give credit to your choices?
Thank you.
I love fashion. Sometimes after flipping through a catalog or a magazine, images of clothing keep flying through my mind afterward... it's annoying when I'm trying to fall asleep. I would love to design my own performance attire, but I don't know how to sew... maybe someday. I like styles that are strong but not without femininity. I'm a huge fan of Bjork - she's strong and delicate and not afraid to take risks. I'm not committed to any particular designers but usually find what I'm looking for at small boutiques with new designers.
Having done some quite extensive travelling over the years, where have you enjoyed travelling to most? Also, I'm from Canada, have you ever travelled here, or do you plan on coming here in the neat future?
Firstly, yes I will be in Canada - Toronto, at the end of this month! I'll be joining Ferry for another Twice In A Blue Moon: The Experience show on June 30th. Please come! Favorite places - Tokyo, Santorini, San Francisco, London. I realized on this last trip to Kuala Lumpur, Langkawi, and Hong Kong that it's really about seeing what the people in each city are all about. It's nice to visit friends in other cities and see their favorite places and feel like a local for a few days.
Maybe unkown to some fans, but you are quite the guitar player, we know that you actually wrote a guitar version of "Made of Love" first, is there any chance we could see your guitar influence leading towards a trance front and envisioning another new wave a melodic brilliance?
That was very coincidental. I had written a very stripped down version of "Made of Love" and then Ferry gave me music, without hearing my version. The melodies I had written came to life even more over Ferry's music and he made some brilliant contributions when we got together to write. I will probably never depart completely from the guitar as a way of writing songs. It's always been an important ingredient. That said, electronic music has helped me to find a new direction creatively. I have some solo music in the works and you can expect that it will combine the old with the new.
Thankfully I am the other half of the duo that is doing this interview with you, it allows me some authority on the questions that get asked, this question is definitely more so for myself rather than the fans reading this, Miss Larkin, what colour are your eyes?
Haha.
They're green but look bluish sometimes.
You have just recently featured on ATB`s "Future Memories" Album with the delightful tune, "A New Day", how did you get into contact with ATB for this project?
This is a funny story that few people have heard. A fan of Ferry's had written me and when I wrote back, I signed the email "ATB, Betsie" - as in "All the best." He didn't know what I meant at first and thought I was somehow referring to the artist, ATB. He said that ATB was one of his favorite DJ's along with Ferry, so I went to Andre's Myspace page and immediately recognized some great songs. I decided to send him a friend request. Shortly after he got in touch and we immediately started exchanging ideas through email. I love what he did with "A New Day." I was originally a solo-rock track and his production transformed it completely.
For the trancepodium.com readers this time, 2009... what could they expect from you this year?
I'm doing a few DJ collaborations but the majority of my focus will be on writing songs for my next solo record.
Well Miss Larkin, as you know I am still in awe of the fact that you have read some of the interviews I have done, that said, this being the last question, you already have an idea of what I am about to ask you... however, this time I will not ask for your mobile number... instead... Miss Betsie Larkin... will you marry me?
I'm already hitched, but I like your style
Source :
Trance Podium - Betsie Larkin interview
