Mike: You said that the memory loss you sustained from the assault was actually a great thing, why is it?
 
Aimee: Hahah. Well, I don't remember saying THAT ! ;) But for real…I want to live in the now... and be happy in the moment. If I didn't get my brain bashed in I would probably be living where I lived before... which was in the past. I was pretty depressed before the attack... so, I guess I needed a good beat down to appreciate my life and every moment of it.
 
 
 

Mike: Are you able to handle the music you use to play, when it was more distorted and loud, now? 
 
Aimee: It's hard to hear me or anyone else not valuing the sacredness of music and poetry. I want to surround myself with simplicity and beauty and not heavy chaotic messages and splatters of distorted sugary sounds. This world can feel so dark and noisy without trying to look for it..... I would prefer not to seek it out. I once was lost.....but then...... I grew up I guess. :)
 

 
Mike: You wrote a song for Ron Paul back when he was running for president, do politics play a big roll in your music?
 
Aimee: Some of my songs wink at my political views....but the Ron Paul song was my most blatant of course. This record "A little Happiness" has a few nods toward my pretty much anarchist views...but most of the time it's about love and all of the beautiful horrific dimensions of it.
 
 

 
Mike: How many instruments do you actually play, and what is your favorite one to play?
 
Aimee: I play any and all instruments put in front of me. Am I good is the question! :) I write a lot of my songs on the guitar... but I don't perform with one because I put my connection with the audience first.  I love playing the piano for fun..... it's my form of meditation .. I don't "work" on it. I save the work for the guitar.
 
 

Mike: Several of the songs on A Little Happiness are based around religion, do you feel that is an important roll when you write music now?
 
Aimee: When I pick up the guitar and I'm alone in my room..... I think the only one listening is God. So I sing to Him most of the time. 
 
 

Mike: I know you¹ve collaborated with several different musicians in the past, why do you write so much with so many different people?
 
Aimee: I have written with so many people because when I was on Elektra records my A & R wanted to see my potential. I had 12 different producers and writers on my "Revolution" album. After that, I mainly wrote with Scott Russo and Lucian Piane. Scott: because he was boyfriend and Lucian because he was one of my best friends.
 
 

Mike: Are there any collaboration¹s that stick out in your head as your favorite? If so why?
 
Aimee: I loved working with everybody I've written with. Seriously. Every collaboration makes me a better song writer. I've worked with everybody and I've learned so much from them all. I really couldn't just pick one or two.... I always develop a very close bond to whom I'm writing with.... so that's like asking me to pick one of my children. Can't do it. :)
 

Mike: Do you have a set process when writing and recording music or does it just come naturally to you?
 
Aimee: I'm a natural! ;) Totally kidding. I work very hard at writing.... I'm a perfectionist and nothing is ever good enough.  I will write a song and finally finish it 4 years later... or sometimes write a song in 20 minutes. It all depends on the song gods I guess. 
 
 

Mike: What would you say are your biggest influences inside and outside of the music industry?
 
Aimee: My biggest influences musically? Spiritually?  Professionally?  Shit. I don't know what you mean. But, I'm inspired by God and my dog mostly. 0A I guess I just like those letters. :)
 
 

Mike: Do you have any tour plans set for this spring or summer?
 
Aimee: I plan to do a radio promo tour so that radio stations can put a face to the music... and beach communities. I keep telling my awesome label that I only need to tour Hawaii for a year......but "apparently" that doesn't make any sense.  ;)
 
 

Mike: What is the one question that you have always wanted to be asked? What is the answer to that question?
 
Aimee: Do you enjoy having me sit for hours tortured and pondering over this Mike!?
:) (4 hours later) ok, I think I got it.....the ANSWER to most questions is either Love or Money. I'm an artist.... so obviously any question that I would have the right or knowledge to answer, would for sure not be about money! The "Music"- " Business" is the definition of irony. :) So, the ANSWER is clearly LOVE. But what is the question, is the question..... hmmm.

"Aimee, why do make music?"
 
 
LOVE.
 
Love is the only reason any of us do anything. It's all this planet needs. It doesn't need a bigger government and more rules.... it needs a big hug from my Grandma. Whatever. The Beatles were right all along is all I'm saying. :)
 
 
 

Mike: Thanks again for taking the time out to talk to us, do you have
anything left to say to all of your fans?
 
Aimee: I would like to tell my fans thank you for thinking of me. Thank you for listening. Thank you for supporting independent artists and having catholic guilt about stealing music! :)  Also, brush your teeth, sing in the shower, smile big, adopt a pet and write your congressman. Most importantly, I love you, for real. Seriously..... 
 
Thank you Mike!! 
 
Thanks for the in depth e- conversation!