1. How old were you when you first started making music?
I started playing piano and guitar when I was about seven years old, but I started singing pretty quickly after I started talking. My father was a radio DJ for a Spanish language radio station in Connecticut so music was always on in our home. We couldn’t get away from it if we tried. I started to mimic the singers that I would hear. It became my favorite past time.
2. Who was/is your biggest musical inspiration?
My musical inspirations have changed over the years. I guess I shouldn’t say that they have changed, but I’ve added to them. Early on when I was listening to only Latin music on the radio as a kid, my inspirations were José Feliciano, Julio Iglesias, Camilo Sesto, and other Latin singer songwriters. My taste in music evolved over the years and I started listening to other artists like Stevie Wonder, Donny Hathaway, Otis Redding, Sam Cooke, James Taylor, Joni Mitchell, Babyface, Boyz II Men, Brian McKnight, Journey, Toto and many more. I liked all types of music and it’s why my music sounds the way it does. I was influenced by many artists over the years.
3. Where do you make your home?
My family and I live in Connecticut
4. Do you have any pets?
I do! We have 2 dogs, a boxer named Koa and a lab/terrier mix named Raven. We also have a Cat (a tabby) named Tiger Lily. Last but not least we have an African Grey Parrot named Kendi. He was my mom’s bird. When she passed away a couple years ago, Kendi came to live with us. African Greys live 60+ years and Kendi is only 18, so my mom and I had always planned that he would eventually come to live with me. I love him. He has such a personality. He also sounds just like my father when he speaks, which is comforting as I lost my dad back in 2021, 18 months before my mom.
5. What is the best concert/gig you have ever done?
Wow. I am thankful to have been lucky enough to do some really awesome shows. I think my favorite ever might have been in Sao Paulo Brazil back in 2012. I was opening for Maroon 5 on the SOUTH American leg of their tour. The crowd in São Paulo was unlike any crowd I had ever performed for. Even though I was just the opener, they made me feel like they were there to see me. It was incredible. I walked off stage and I cried. It was awesome.
6. What is the best concert you have ever attended?
That’s tough. A really influential one for me was seeing Coldplay back in 08. Chris Martin is such an incredible performer and front man. You can’t take your eyes off of him. I watched him in awe, just praying one day that I would get to do what he does.
7. Do you have an all-time favourite song or album?
Hmmm. That’s another one that changes overtime. I’m pretty fond of James Taylor’s “Hourglass” album. Also Stevie Wonders “Talking Book” and “Songs In The Key of Life” are masterpieces.
8. What musician would you still most like to work with?
I would love to sit down across from James Taylor and write a song with him. I’m such a huge fan I’m not sure that I would be able to concentrate, but I would try my best. Would be a dream come true.
9. If you weren't a musician what would you be?
I would be a high school music teacher. That’s what I got my degree in, and I wouldn’t be a professional musician had it not been for my teachers in middle school and high school who pushed me and supported me the whole way through.
10. What is your favourite thing about Vancouver?
It’s sadly been quite a long time since I’ve been to Vancouver, probably over 20 years, but I do remember how amazing the people of Vancouver, who were so kind and such a great audience. I would love to come back soon!
~Vickie van Dyke
Midday Host