This is my exclusive interview w/Crystal Sunshine, a hot up and coming Singer/songwriter/piano player from Texas who's music I would describe as a combination of pop/goth/and Jazz all rolled into one....Quite a wicked combination I know but I must tell you that that Crystal Sunshine's music comes across as quite original and it is my belief that she has what it takes to break out in a very big way if people would just give her music a listen. 

1.  Rock Zone: - How long have you been a professional musician?

CS: - Jeeze, for a while now, it's just taken a while to get anywhere with it.  LOL.....But I guess I have really been doing this Piano girl thing for about 12 years or so.

2.  Rock Zone: - Who were the bands/musicians who had the greatest influence on you?

CS: - Well when I was younger about 11 or so I was a huge Metallica and Guns N Roses fan as I grew into my teens I saw this cool red-headed chick on the piano , I think it was the "Crucify" video and she was in the blue velvet outfit, and I was blown away.  I was like I want to do that!  I could never affored music back then.  So now that I can I'm catching up on all the great music I have missed like Billie Holiday, her music is just haunting and beautiful, Robert Johnson, The blues Singer from the 1930's, he's just really haunting sometimes.  I'm influenced by so much music, I love anything Mike Patton does, he's a bloody genius I'd say!  Tori will always fascinate me, I just got into Amanda Palmer, she's really fascinating.  Jeff Buckley's voice gives me chills.  I love anything from Lamb Of God to Johnny Cash to Nine Inch Nails and Phantom Of The Opera.

3.  Rock Zone: - How old were you when you first started playing the piano?

CS: - Well I always sorta hanged around my Grandmother's Piano as a kid or anytime I even saw a Piano I always wanted to play it even though I had no idea what I was doing.

4.  Rock Zone: - Did you take Piano lessons or would you consider yourself to be self-taught?

CS: - I'm self-taught and I watch others play and get the idea.  I play by ear.

5.  Rock Zone: - I was curious when you write a new song which comes first?  The music or the lyrics?

CS: - It could be one or the other, sometimes it can be both; sometimes I hope I have a tape recorder on....LOL

6.  Rock Zone: - Which comes more natural to you playing the Piano or being a Singer?

CS: - You know I can't seem to do without the Piano, I just don't feel comfortable, but yet I love to sing.  But if I was forced at gun point to choose then I choose the Piano....LOL

7.  Rock Zone: - When you write a song do you tend to wrote more about fictional things or things that you have actually experienced in your life?

CS: - I usually write based on true feelings or something that someone else has experienced or something that has inspired me at that moment.

8.  Rock Zone: - When you perform live do you have a backing band or do you perform alone on stage?

CS: - I have never played with a band, so that could be quite a disaster...LoL.....It's usually just me, I might bring in a Guitar Player from time to time.

9.  Rock Zone: - What has been the reaction to your music so far?

CS: - It has been really surprising.  I was not sure anyone would like it.  It has been a humbling experience.

10.  Rock Zone: - Do you have any plans to tour to support the new CD?

CS: - Whenever I can get a gig.....Haha

11.  Rock Zone: - How important of a role do you believe that the internet has played in helping you to promote your music?

CS: - If it wasn't for the internet, I would have to waste postage stamps and spend my own money on CDs, send out press kits to everyone and there would be people who would just toss em in the garbage when it was my money they threw away, I'd have to personally drive hundreds of miles asking radio stations to play my music when now all I have to do is e-mail them....It's wonderful...God Bless The Internet!

12.  Rock Zone: - What are some of your other interest outside of music?

CS: - I like to paint, read, hang out with the animals, go on ghost hunts, and wait for the Apocalypse! LOL

13.  Rock Zone: - Are you happy with the feedback that you have gotten from other people so far about your music?

CS: - Yeah, I'm really surprised.  I wasn't sure if anyone would like it or not.  So I'm very humbled.

14.  Rock Zone: - How do you feel about the current state of the music industry?

CS: - I actually think that things are looking up.  More musicians are taking control of their music.

15.  Rock Zone: - How do you feel about Censorship?

CS: - Well they should just ban the whole Constitution Of The United States.  Pretty soon we will have no freedom, we will all be wearing tracking device chips in our skin or something of that nature.  We will all be under house arrest for the crime of being alive.

16.  Rock Zone: - Who are some of your favorite bands on the scene today?

CS: - Peeping Tom, Tori Amos, The Pusher, Mushroomhead, Mudvayne, Jamie Cullem, Marilyn Manson, Amanda Palmer, Skinny Puppy, Celesttiani.  I just like music man!

17.  Rock Zone: - What can fans expect from Crystal Sunshine in the year 2008 and beyond?

CS: - Well expect another new album.  The new album will lean to more of a Jazz feel.