erin_broadley

Since winning a popular radio stations songwriting contest in Australia just a few years ago, Missy Higgins has gone from undiscovered teenage musician to one of her nations biggest selling artists of all time. Shes won more ARIAs (the Australian equivalent to Grammys) in the past three years than most win in a lifetime, and is easily considered one of the biggest stars in Australian music. Shes now poised to meet the same success in the States with the release of her sophomore full-length album, On a Clear Night, along with a nationwide tour to support it.

I chatted with Missy about the Aussie invasion of American Idol, going from playing in stadiums Down Under to just small roomfuls in the U.S. during her bid for crossover success, and how her recent public coming out was a big deal to everyone except her.

Arlan Hamilton: Weve actually met a couple of times. I kind of gave you too much information once while you were waiting for your car at valet. I also watched your purse and held your drink one night at a bar. I think in some cultures that means were married.

Missy Higgins: [Laughs]

AH: So how is it sort of starting from scratch in America when youve had such success in Australia? Youre kinda like the Backstreet Boys; When they started out, they would go over to Europe and get mobbed at the airport, and then when they came back home they wouldnt be recognized anywhere.

MH: I actually really enjoy it. I feel like Ive had quite a relatively long career in Australia. Ive got to a certain point where I dont feel that challenged anymore, so it feels sort of fresh to start from the ground up. The people who are coming to my shows and discovering my songs for the first timeits refreshing. You almost cant help but to see your music through their eyes. Thats a really nice thing to be able to do because your songs dont feel old anymore. You feel like youre really discovering them again through these people. Its a good challenge. I dont know how things are going to go for me in America. I have no idea. But this is definitely keeping me on my toes.

AH: Do you feel like some songs are resonating more with the American audience than they did with the Australian audience?

MH: Well, I dont know. My first single in Australia was Steer and its Where I Stood here [in America]. I guess the record label felt that the American audience was more interested in the emotional piano ballads than more of an acoustic, positive song. Maybe it had to do with the fact that Where I Stood is probably more appropriate for TV and movies and its a good entry over here. Ive been lucky enough to (have my songs) on a few TV shows here.

AH: Have you been on "Greys Anatomy" before?

MH: I have, actually. Its really exciting. I remember thinking a year ago that that would be my ultimate show to get my music on. Actually, my ultimate is Six Feet Under. But theres no more chance for that.

AH: Do you ever watch Greys Anatomy in your living room and just play your music and pretend its still on there?

MH: You mean just put it on mute and pretend its on there? [Laughs]

AH: Yes.

MH: Im not that desperateyet.

AH: I do that to my songs but I cant sing and my songs suck so it doesnt have the same emotional--

MH:It doesnt resonate?

AH: Ha, yeah. So you won a radio contest in Australia and that really jumpstarted your career. What were your expectations for your music before that happened?

MH: Um I dont think I had any expectations. When I won the songwriting contest I only had about five songs to my name so I was really only just beginning in the songwriting side of me. I had been singing in my brothers jazz band for a couple of years on the weekends so I had a real love of jazz and performing. I guess the only real dream I had was to make a career out of singing and performing. But I had no idea that one day Id release my own album and be touring with my own band and playing my own songs. I just thought that id be singing old jazz standards for the rest of my life and I think I was quite content with that.

AH:Have you ever been standing in a line at some club in L.A. and caught attitude from a bouncer and been tempted to say, Do you know who I am?!

MH: [Laughs] Thered be no point over here cause the chances of them actually knowing who I am are very, very slim. And then thatd just be really embarrassing. If you did that in Australia youd probably get punched.

AH: [Laughs] Yes, Ive been to Australia a few times and I learned that the hard way.

MH: Well, its worth a try I guess.

AH: Speaking of Australians, I watch "American Idol"and I have no problem saying that and admitting that because I like the show. Do you know theres an Australian in the Top 24 here?

MH:Oh no, I didnt know that. I know there was an Australian in that Rockstar show.

AH: Yes. My thing is, I love Australians. Some of my best [I[friends are Australian. But do you think that an Australian should hold the title of American Idol?

MH:The guy thats just won our latest Australian Idol was Irish.

AH:Thats just wrong.

MH:Yeah, I dont know.

AH:Im all about land of the free and everything, but I have a little problem with that. But at the same time, he really looks like he could be in your family. He looks like he could quite easily be your brother. You should get him to sing one of your songs on the show. I say you put in a phone call. I promise to stop asking you about Australiansright after this question. Do you know a singer named Butterfly Boucher?

MH: I do. Shes great!

AH:You guys have to do something together, somehow.

MH:I love that song that she has, I Cant Make Me Love You. Thats the best pop song. I dont know why it didnt do better [in America]. The song is on my iPod when Im running and it gets me inspired every time to make it through that last mile.

AH:Really? Thats awesome. You know why I like the two of you? Because you both sound Australian when you sing and thats nice.

MH:Yeah I like people who sound like where they come from. For me, my songs are so personal and I feel like Im telling a story when Im singing my songs. To me to put on an accent would be like putting on a faade of a different character, and thats not really what my songs are about.

AH:When you know you have to write songs for an upcoming album or for your label, do you write for yourself and hope it works out, or do you write for the audience?

MH:Well I think in the past Ive definitely written for an audience but it doesnt really work very well. When I try and write with the thought in the back of my head that other people are going to be hearing this and judging it, it kinda puts a clog in the flow of my creativity. If I try to just write for me, I feel like the song becomes much more interesting, and when I finish it I feel so much more personally attached to it. Whereas if I finish a song and all the way through I had in mind that people were going to be listening to this at my shows and liking it or disliking it, theres a certain detachment that I feel towards the song. Maybe the song ends up being a little catchier [laughs] but it doesnt move me emotionally as much as the other way would.

AH:Are there any songs that you have that youre extra proud of or that you looked at after you wrote it and it didnt feel like you wrote it?

MH:I felt that way a little bit about Steer." When I finished it I realized that Id finished a song that made me feel really good and happy when I played it. And thats different for me because a lot of my songs transport me to a darker place. And thats sort of beautiful in its own way because, being an artist that likes to roll around in her own miseryI enjoy being on an emotional rollercoaster[laughs] in the darkness-- I surprised myself by writing a song thats actually about a positive realization. And that was that life is just this fun ride and you can take it wherever you want to take it.

AH:Speaking of emotional rollercoasters, I literally have written on a piece of paper in front of me, Gay Questions, followed bygay questions.

MH: [Laughs] Is SuicideGirls a gay website?

AH: No, not necessarily. But I think anybody can appreciate naked women. BUT, saying that, I am super gay. I think every once in a while people expect gay things from me [while interviewing] and I wasnt sure if you wanted to talk about--

MH: [Laughs] Alright. Give me your best gay shot.

AH: [Laughs] Be careful what you ask for, dear. No I was just wonderingI remember your cover of Cherrie magazine in Australia [titled: "Missy Higgins on life, music and not being straight"] and then your subsequent MySpace blog message about it. I definitely have made my career all about being gay. I mean theres really no turning back for me. Really. But I can completely understand why you wouldnt want your orientation to overshadow your music and your crossing over to the American market.

MH:Yeah, I dont mind talking about my sexuality and I dont mind it being known. I guess my only hesitation was that it would take over the music andexactly, overshadow it. It was weird for me because I was so open about my sexuality with my friends and my family but it was also something that I was kind of discovering for myself. So when I started doing interviews for my songs and my album, I realized that I didnt know how to talk about this kind of thing with strangers because it was something I was just figuring out myself. And I know that the whole idea of an interview is to reveal things about yourself and once its revealed its set in stoneor set in ink, more technicallyI guess that I feared that if it was something that I was still discovering and I started talking about it, that I would change my mind or give an impression that maybe wasnt necessarily true. So basically things were still really uncertain in my head, and it was difficult to divulge with strangers.

AH:Its hard to be the poster child, Im sure.

MH:Yeah, and its hard being the poster child when youre not really sure where you stand on it.

AH:Well, anytime that you get overwhelmed by [the attention your orientation is garnering], just think that somehow, somewhere youre helping a teenage girl to feel a little bit more normal or not as crazy or something.

MH:Yes, and thats a really nice thing to know, too. That definitely motivates me to be more open about it, especially because its something that Im much more certain of now. Ive never been ashamed of it, so if I can maybe influence other girls or guys who are going through the same thing to not be ashamed of it and to embrace their differences, and at the same time to know that theyre not alone, its a really beautiful thing and a beautiful opportunity that Ive been given. Im much more at ease with it these days.

AH:Thats really wonderful to hear. I know a lot of people will be excited to read that you said that. You played LiveEarth in Sydney. Im sure it was an amazing experience for you, but do you think that it had the impact that they were hoping for around the world.

MH:Oh, Im not sure. I know there was a lot of skepticism surrounding LiveEarth and surrounding the motivation behind it. I know a lot of people were cynical about the fact that it was primarily about the good of the environment, whether than just to make a lot of money on a massive rock show. But I think there were a lot of people around the globe would have had to have digested the message amongst it all. I know there were a lot of bands that played that didnt necessarily directly seem to have anything to do with environmental consciousness, but I think just the sheer amount of people that watched the shows and the little things in between the musical acts must have been enough to get through to some people. And thats what its about, getting through as many people as possible.

AH:I bet it was exciting to be part of it. And I think its going to have even more of an effect when we look back on it later down the line.

MH: Yeah and, if anything, it got people talking. Its all about just getting people talking about what little things theyre doing in their own lives. Just starting change in your own little garden, and spreading it from the inside out.

AH:Ironically, thats exactly how I feel about homosexuality.

MH: [Silence] You meanaccepting it?

AH:I dont really mean anything by it. I was just being an ass again.

MH:[Laughs] Im having a little bit of trouble figuring out American sarcasm.

AH:Oh, well thats cause Im not very good at it. It has nothing to do with me being American. Now before you go, do you know the word widget?

MH:Yes.

AH:And what do you think of that word?

MH:It sounds very much like the word midget.

AH:Ah yes!

MH:Ive never really considered that word with judgment in mind. But it sounds kind of like something thats squishy and small and that makes squeaky noises.

AH:Youre right! I have problems with certain words. If I could rise up against certain new words that theyre making up now, I would. Like webisode. And widget is just one of those words.

MH:Maybe youre just pushing against the evolution of technology.

AH:I like that version of whatever it is my problem is. Ok, Ill leave you with this: You. Butterfly Boucher. Make it happen. AND check out your brother on "American Idol."

MH:Oh yeah, I definitely will! He could be my long lost cousin.

AH:You should. He really does look like he could be part of your family.

MH: Im looking forward to seeing what you think my family would look like.

AH:Well hes very attractive and hes very Australian.



For more, visit Missy Higgins website at www.missyhiggins.com/widget/.

Read more from Arlan on her blogs at YourDailyLesbianMoment.blogspot.com & StuffStraightPeopleLike.blogspot.com.