If you missed her on the David Letterman show last night, Sonya Kitchell is a name you'll be seeing quite a bit this year and beyond. This rising star is one talented artist who is worthy of the buzz building around her music. In an era of pop idols devoid of substance, Sonya's obvious ability is refreshing.

Sonya just released her first full length major label release Words Came Back to Me and is currently touring the country with an equally talented band, which includes John Shannon - guitar, Garth Stevenson - bass, Conor Meehan - drums and Miro Sprague - piano/organ.



I was fortunate to be able to sit down with Sonya just before she took the stage last week for a brilliant performance at the World Cafe Live in Philly for a live radio broadcast:

JD: How old are you now, 17 or 18?

Sonya: 17.

JD: How long have you been playing?

Sonya: My entire life. I've been performing since I was 10 years old.

JD: On stage?

Sonya: Yeah. And then, taking voice lessons since I was seven and playing guitar since I was 12.

Jeff: Are you classically trained?

Sonya: No, not really. I mean, vocally probably yes because I took a lot of different kinds of voice lessons and I worked with classical teachers and soulful teachers and hippie teachers and you know, every kind of teacher. And I took guitar lessons, but as far as learning how to perform and like how to, I've done it just because I've been doing it for seven years now.



JD: When did you write your first song?

Sonya: September 11th, when I was 12 years old.

JD: You were 12 then? That freaks me out.

Sonya: Well, I don't feel like it was that long ago either. It's weird. But I was 12 not that long ago.

JD: What was the name of that song?

Sonya: "If Then I Cried."

JD: And that got some interest going?

Sonya: Yeah, it just kind of started things off and rolling.

JD: Was that released as a single?

Sonya: Yes. We just put it out.

JD: Who would you consider your true musical influences?

Sonya: I mean, it's changed. And it changes every week. It started with Nate King Cole and Carole King, Joni Mitchell, Al Green, and Marvin Gay, Nina Simone, The Beatles, PJ Harvey, Bob Dylan, Randy Newman...U2. All sorts of stuff.



JD: Who are you listening to now?

Sonya: Like current? Ben Harper. We just did a show with him and I love his new ablum. Love it.

JD: He's great. How was that?

Sonya: It was great.

Jeff: Who all have you played with? Cowboy Junkies...

Sonya: Well, the night I played with the Cowboy Junkies I kinda checked a lot of people off the list. But, a lot of people I had already played with too. I did this Carnegie Hall show (Joni Mitchell tribute) with the Cowboy Junkies and Richie Havens who I played with already and Martin Sexton who I had done shows with already, Susan Vega and Shawn Colvin.

JD: So, how did it feel to go from fan to peer? I mean, you're on stage with these folks that you probably grew up listening too?

Sonya: It's really cool and I feel so honored and I try to soak up everything that I can from them. It's exciting, you know? It's really exciting.

JD: What serves as your inspiration when you are writing?

Sonya: I mean, just life in general. Everything. Whether it's the way that the light reflects on a glass on the table and how beautiful that is. Or, whether it's I see some homeless guy sitting on the stoop and that just kills me because I can't do anything about it. Or I see a movie. Or I feel ashamed or madly in love. Or whatever I'm feeling like all those emotions and things in life. It's like they inspire songs. Everything.

Sonya and her band are on tour throughout the spring and summer. Be sure to catch them when they come to a venue near your town, you won't be disappointed.

Brief Live Clip and photo credit: Cassie Snow.