How do you describe your style?

That's always a hard one for me....I hate the whole concept of pigeon-holing into categories as particularly these days categories are so hard to define. There are so many styles/genres and so many overlap that it's hard to label oneself, and I'm not entirely sure that it's valid or serves a purpose these days. But we're all pushed to label ourselves, so generally I'd say I'm soulful with elements from most other areas. We're influenced by everything we come into contact with to an extent so we're all an amalgamation of styles. My main definition would be 'good music' - or at least that's what I hope for!! I'd rather make 'good music' than something that fits into a particular category neatly.

What are your main inspirations for music?

Everything. Everything you do, see, feel informs your music whether consciously or not. For me I think it's a very subconscious experience as I try to let whatever track I'm working to 'inspire' me naturally, to bring into my conscious mind what is already there subconsciously. I try to 'hear' what's already in the track waiting to be found and developed and placed into the whole picture. It's not always easy - sometimes it's a quick process, almost like channeling - the kind of thing where before you know it a whole track is done and you have no idea where it came from, it just did! Other times it feels very much a conscious process and you have to try to get past that into the soul of the music. The main thing for me is that music is a form of communication so the aim is to touch someone in some way, have them connect with the music/song in some way. Even if only one person is moved by it you've achieved something that means something to that one person. That really inspires me....hearing from someone who says 'i completely felt that track you did' or 'that lyric sums up how I feel' etc etc.....it's what it's all about, sharing our experiences, communicating honestly with each other.....

Favorite musical sound?

My favourite sound would be the ocean - is that musical? Birdsong is also one of the most incredible sounds on this earth, especially blackbirds for me. They have the most distinctive voices - just beautiful! There are so many amazing sounds in the musical universe though it's hard to pin down a favourite....for example there's something so exquisite about a string section, it's just so beautiful and can bring a piece of music to another level.....but then the male voice is just sublime when it has the perfect tone and timbre.....the vibraphone is another instrument that just has it's own place in the musical world...the piano also because of the fact it is melodic and harmonic but also rhythmic......most instruments when played well make beautiful sounds.....and it's important not to forget the place of silence in music, as it's also what we don't hear that matters, and the silence after listening to something that holds another experience of sound.

What else influences you other than music?

Again, everything! Life is one big adventure. Sometimes it's fun and sometimes it's not. But it's all a learning curve and growth process, and that will inevitably come through in your music. Being half Italian I'm a very emotional person so that plays a large part in how I process everything. I've also had some pretty dramatic life experiences that have taken me on a spiritual journey which also colours everything. When you have real life-changing moments you have to always come back to them, remember why they happened, what their purpose was, how they have changed you, moved you forward. You have to honor them and yourself.

When is your favorite time to make music?

I don't really have a specific time....I prefer to be left to my own devices so like to be in my studio on my own just working out the ideas and putting them down as I go along, then when I feel I've got something worth listening to I'll get my partner to listen so that I get an objective opinion on what I've done. It's great when you have an idea that you just have to get down at all cost, but I've had days when I go in thinking I'm not going to come up with anything and then do and it's really satisfying when that happens. When it's all coming together then it's great...when it's not it feels like hard work, like anything else.

What emotions do you manly feel when you make your music

The whole spectrum really. It's so vast, making music. There's your emotions involved - how you feel that day, what's going on in life, what you're trying to say with that particular track etc...then there's the emotions of anyone else involved in it too. The there's those of the listener. It's a wonderful alchemy that really has a magical aspect to it. There's also the fact that it's a creative process so there can be frustration and euphoria when things work and don't. For me there's also the feeling of gratitude and humility. I feel extremely blessed to be involved in the creative world, to be given the chance to express myself and share with the outer world something that means so much to me in my inner world. It's humbling to realise that people are willing to - or even want to! - listen to what you create, that they're interested in what you're doing. I've been blessed to work with some amazing people who've really challenged me to better myself and strive for the best in what we're all trying to do. I'm grateful for all the support and generosity that's been shown to me and that feeds the desire and need to make better music constantly, but always from the soul, sincere and genuine - that's what counts for me.

Your main drive to do what you do

I think any creative person will tell you they just have to! It's not necessarily something you understand or can verbalise - it's just innate. Since I was very young I knew I had to be involved in music in some way, shape or form. It was never about being famous or on tv - having that celebrity lifestyle. That's as far away as you can get from music for me. It's about the need to express yourself in a way that is completely natural, honest, genuine. It's not something you think about - it's something you feel. It just has to come out of you in that way. Just as an artist paints, a writer writes, a dancer dances. It just is and you either choose to honour it or you choose not to. I know that when I wasn't expressing myself fully musically I wasn't connected and things just weren't right for me. To be healthy and whole I have to express that part of myself even if only for myself and no-one were ever to hear it.

How long have you been singing for?

I've always sung. It sounds cheesy but it's just always something I did without thinking about it. My dad sang so I suppose I just assumed it was a natural thing to do and followed his lead. I used to love listening to him sing! Again it just seemed like he had to, to let some part of his soul speak, it wasn't a conscious thing. I trained in other instruments/ aspects of music but singing was always the most natural thing for me. It was inevitable that I would eventually settle on singing as my form of expression. But I’m still learning. Every day there's something else to learn about the voice, how to use it, refine it, find new aspects to it as being part of the human being it's constantly in a state of flux and change. And the development into songwriting and arranging is another adventure. I suppose in many ways I came to that side of things late compared to many but I'm certainly making up for lost time! And with writing it's all about just doing it and learning from experience.

Anything new coming up?

Tons! There's my solo album which is very close to completion now and has been blessed by some amazing producers, so it's a very exciting time. Then there's another project called Sun Circle - there's an album finished and ready for release soon although it will be released in Japan first. There's also a ton of guest spots including the Sound Species album which is due out on CDR, the Emanative single and album which is due out on Futuristica Music, Iisijii's EP due for release soon featuring some other great artists (Replife and Amalia) and so much more it's hard to remember it all! The main projects are of course the two full albums so it's a really exciting time. But if people stay connected through Female Beatmakers or MySpace I’ll keep everyone up to date - if they're interested!!

Favorite artists?

So many!!! Where to begin......Kim Burrell, Kate Bush, Bjork, Patrice Rushen, Frank Zappa, Bobby Hutcherson, Andy Bey, Marvin Gaye, Donny Hathaway, Stevie Wonder, Anita Baker, Cinematic Orchestra, Le Mystere Des Voix Bulgares, Mina....truly this list is infinitely endless as there is always inspiration to be drawn from others. I love listening to other artists - it feeds the soul, nourishes the spirit, defies space and time.

What do you like about music?

The fact that it speaks beyond all limitation. It is universal. It isn't bound by time, space, culture - although all these things can have a bearing on it. It has the capacity to communicate at the deepest level as it is felt rather than rationalised. It goes beyond verbalisation of a concept - it just is what it is and you either connect with it or you don't. That's the miracle of it - it's so etheric really. What moves one does not move another - and there's nothing wrong with that! It is a personal experience but one that can be shared with a multitude. That's an incredible thing. The fact that it has the ability to alter one's state of being - we all know how it feels to put on your favourite 'up' song or to cry with your favourite sad song, but it can alter your state from one to another in a moment. It can be so pure.

What do you dislike about music?

I hate the superficiality, the pretense, the fakeness. The 'business' part of music can be cruel, painful, ignorant and so many other negative concepts. But we've come to expect that these days, rather than a nurturing environment that tries to help an artist develop and have a long term career. Especially when we're confined to the 'underground level' by manufactured ‘muzak’. But even at a personal level there is so much jealousy, so many politics that come into play. It defiles the music when it becomes about that. Music to me is about positive concepts, motives and energy.

If you didn't have music what else would you be doing

I already do what I would be doing alongside the music. Although music is a lifelong passion and necessity, balance is important. I am trained in various complementary therapies and that helps me to maintain balance. In many ways it is so connected to music as both areas are all about frequencies. Everything in the universe is vibrating energy so it's all a matter of what frequency something is vibrating at. So even though the two things seem very different at first glance they are actually inextricably linked. I use a couple of sound healing techniques alongside others that all combine to provide a holistic healing session. It is also another way of channeling much like making music can be. I like to see it as a way to give energy back into the universe. It feels as though I'm contributing something worthwhile in a selfless way. It's incredibly humbling and fulfilling - again much like music!

Life time goal, personal or musical.

Of course there are many things I would like to achieve on both levels but it would be another long list! Musically I just want to keep making the best music I can. I want to keep working with people at the top of their game, that challenge me to be better, that allow me to be honest in what I create. I'd like to think that by doing that the music will connect with at least a few people around the world who hear it, and feel it more importantly. But to keep expressing myself creatively is what matters to allow myself to heal and grow daily. It would be great to be successful globally, to tour the world etc etc - all the things you dream about when you make music...but ultimately I just want to be proud of what I create, to feel that I've contributed something worthwhile. Personally again there are a million and one things to achieve, but it all boils down to being the best person I can be. That doesn't mean being the nicest, the most liked etc etc but being true to my spirit and living as thoughtfully as I can, treating others with the love and respect I would hope to receive. And to try to do that unconditionally. It sounds corny and hippy, but love does make the world go round. If we treat others with compassion and consideration the more likely it is they will do the same to us. Having almost lost my life once I am very aware of the gift of still being here to see each new day - it could so easily have been taken away from me, but wasn't. There has to be a reason for that.

Any words of advice?

Have faith in yourself. Whatever it is that you do, do it honestly from your heart and soul, with integrity. Don't be afraid. Sometimes you have to take risks to move forward and get where you want to be, but do it without hurting others. And don't give up.

"Divine music shall always be the sound of love, the sound of peace, the sound of life, the sound of bliss" - Alice Coltrane

'If music is in your heart, you can't do anything wrong'. ''We're like space warriors. Music can be used as a weapon, as energy. The right note or chord can transport you into space using music and energy flow' - Sun Ra

'In friendship let there be laughter and sharing of pleasures, for in the dew of little things the heart finds its meaning and is refreshed' - Kahlil Gibran