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Fireworks - An Interview With Sera
Fireworks In The USA September - November 2014
AmeriCymru spoke to Welsh singer songwriter Sarah Louise Owen ( Sera ) about her new EP, 'Fireworks' and her plans for a US tour in September - November this year.
AmeriCymru: Hi Sera and many thanks for agreeing to be interviewed by AmeriCymru. When did you first become interested in Music? How did you develop as a singer/songwriter?
Sera: I have always loved music, since a little girl. I started piano lessons when I was about 8 and I was hooked! I loved the possibilities of it...a whole row of keys that all sounded different, and how you could make up something completely your own! I was an only child, so spent a lot of time in my own world, writing and playing music. I developed a love of writing and poems and somehow I got to the point of combining those words, with the melodies I would be writing on the piano and making songs.
AmeriCymru: You recently released an EP. Care to introduce it for our readers?
Sera: I self-released an album at the end of 2012 called Dream Catcher. That album got some airplay on BBC Radio Wales and in turn got me noticed by managers in Cardiff, and I have been working with them for nearly a year now. They have helped me make my career more focused and we re-released some of those album songs as an EP called SERA.
It was released in October last year and launched at the London Welsh Centre. Fireworks has probably been the most played song from the EP and there is a nice video on Youtube that I a really clever mix of live action and animation.
AmeriCymru: You have also released several successful Welsh language records via SAIN Records including Tir na Nog and the Creithiau EP . What can you tell us about these? Any plans for future Welsh language recordings?
Sera: I released Tir Na Nog with Sain in 2005, followed by the Creithiau EP which was a collabaration between myself, Martin Allcock and Canadian songwriter team Tia McGraff and Tommy Parham. I then stepped away from Sain in order to focus a little on my English language music. I then also recorded another Welsh album on my own label, called Ar Goll. I like being able to work bilingually, reaching different audiences and introducing the language to people and countries that know very little about Wales, and especially the language. I am currently working on a new Welsh language EP which will be a collection of co-writes and duets with other Welsh artists.
AmeriCymru: You have toured America in the past. Care to tell us a little about your experiences in the US? Any plans for future visits? .
Sera: I've been over twice now and loved it. Apparently over 70% of my download sales are from the US! So that tells me that people over there are liking what I do and it seems right that I come over and do a proper tour this year with the next album. And so, I have that planned for September-November this year. In the process of booking now, so if anyone has suggestions or can offer me gigs, radio sessions, anything like that, please get in touch! It all really helps. What I love about the US audience is their enthusiasm for music and how they embrace it. That sort of atmosphere is great for a singer-songwriter and I think brings out a better performance.
AmeriCymru: Where can people go online to buy 'Fireworks' and your other albums?
Sera: All my releases are available to download from iTunes or Amazon. You can also get physical copies from Amazon and my website.
AmeriCymru: What's next for Sera? Any new recordings in the works?
Sera: I'm working on a new album, currently haf way through recording it. I'm recording it in Cardiff, but I'm based in Caernarfon, so it's taking a bit longer to record due to distance and other commitments. But I aim to get t done in the next few months. As I mentioned before I also am working on the Welsh EP of co-writes too. Just very busy this year with music and events. All kinds of things happening - I'm writing a blog on my website so I can let people know what's going on.
AmeriCymru: Any final message for the readers and members of AmeriCymru?
Sera: We're getting close to Dydd Gwyl Dewi / St David's Day. Hope you all enjoy the day, in whichever was you celebrate it! I'll be doing two gigs. One in Bala on the Friday then down to Pembroke on the Saturday . Can't wait! I look forward to coming over to the US this year and hope to see some AmeriCymru members and readers at gigs and to hear my new material. Thanks for supporting Welsh artists! Would love to hear from anyone so do contact me on Facebook.com/serasongs or twitter.com/serasongs . .
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