Tell us a little about yourself?
Hi, I am a singer songwriter originally from the Washington DC area. I started singing when I was very young in musicals at church and in school. I always had solos and leads and had so much fun performing. I am really outgoing I am not shy at all or scared to be on stage. I don't remember a day of my life as a child without music. I come from a really artsy family, my mom always gave me so much encouragement when it came to my dreams. I learned about my musical styles and heard so many different genres on a daily basis. I think that it's so important to perceive and appreciate different sounds especially if you plan on having your own individual sound. The variety definitely forms you as an artist to be both open minded and willing to experiment.
Many people are describing you as the breakout vocalist of 2010, due to your appearance on Markus' Do You Dream album. How did you first come into contact with Markus, and what advice did he give to you when you first worked together?
Wow, Thank you that is a compliment that I will cherish. A fellow artist on Coldharbour actually introduced Markus and I about two years ago. He told Markus that I was a singer and since Markus is always looking for something new in turn I am pretty thankful because it was a great connection. Markus had just gotten back from a trip and I was sure that he would be overwhelmed by my wild energy and bouncy personality, but it was the complete opposite, he was so accepting and just so down to earth. He is my mentor and guide, and I felt so lucky to have someone that experienced with this incredible passion leading me in the direction of success. I remember the first time I sang for Markus. He was so encouraging and so attentive. He would say to sing what I felt, and to sing louder, “Sing what you feel the way you want people to feel it” when I worked with Markus he took me back to basics. I feel like he brings out the best in the people he works with. He really took me under his wing.
In many electronic artist albums, the majority of producers prefer working with names that have been established in the scene for a few years. How did it feel for you personally to be immediately projected by Markus into such a high profile role?
It is an indescribable feeling honestly! I felt blessed that Markus believed in me and pushed for me. Markus never made me feel like an inexperienced newcomer or that he was above me in any way, I always felt we were a team. Trying new styles or just singing in the studio to feel something out, he never judges another’s creative input. That is rare nowadays.
Of course, your first point of discovery in the public eye was providing your harmonic talents to the Do You Dream single, which has been one of the biggest anthems in Markus' sets throughout 2009 and 2010. Did you feel that sense of excitement when many people in the community speculated on the "mystery vocalist" of this track?
I can still remember hearing it after we recorded it the first time! Markus and I were jumping up and down and just so excited! I was so excited I had it stuck in my head for days, I was so excited and I still am every time he plays it, because its our first song. It has a special place in my heart. I was overjoyed to have made something that people really connected with. Markus taught me to be patient and over time I watched him build the excitement creating something special. In the end it was worth the wait!
One of the standout features of the Do You Dream album is Markus' foray into the drum n' bass genre with "Lightwave". Did you find adopting and singing to a much faster-paced genre difficult?
In the Do You Dream album preview, Markus mentions that the song was first presented to him differently, I had originally sent him the song in a down tempo format. Markus loved it though and always has his own way of making the songs that we do together special. Again it may not be your every day Markus Schulz track but truthfully we aren’t your everyday artists.
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Listen to the tracks from: Markus Schulz - Do You Dream Album
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In one of Markus' recent written blogs, he mentioned that you were on a road trip with him to his Do You Dream tour gig in Tampa. There was a notable moment where he pointed towards you during Do You Dream that generated a huge reaction from the crowd! How did that make you feel?
I felt so special and excited! I didn’t know that Markus was going to do that so I’m up in the balcony dancing my butt off and singing and just looking like a complete crazy person probably! All of a sudden the entire crowd makes the connection to the visual of me singing that he plays on tour. Everyone was kind of in shock but they were dancing and singing and feeling the music so much! It was a moment I wont forget!
As well as singing on the Do You Dream album, you also wrote the lyrics
To both "Lifted" and "Lightwave". Do you have any stories to share behind the meaning of each track?
When I sing I sing and write at the same time so I really feel the music and the lyrics just spill out as I work.
Lifted was the first song I wrote for the album, I wrote the song for anyone who is chasing a dream, its supposed to be encouraging and it is kind of my story in song about how I felt as an aspiring vocalist. "Do what you love, don't ever let go" those words are from my heart. Lightwave is a love song that I wrote late one night and just listening to the music I felt the words just creep out line by line. I know that everyone can relate to loving someone so much that nothing shines as bright as that person, not even the sun.
Do you get more satisfaction writing something for yourself or for someone else?
I get satisfaction from writing and music yes but I don’t always write, I kind of freestyle to the music. I call it improv vocals its just more from the heart, of course it takes longer because you need to eventually develop some sort of rhythm and cadence if you want to complete the piece. I am writing for other vocalists currently, which has been really fun! It’s a different type of feeling, because it’s not for you, so you can step outside the box with it.
The art of songwriting is such a difficult skill to accomplish well. When did you first start writing songs, and was there any particular point when you realized that this was something you excelled in?
I started writing when I was about 12. I started with poetry but every poem had a melody, so it just slowly transformed into songwriting over time. Writing music genuinely made me happy. I am getting better over time even now still learning and want to continue to write throughout my career.
Are there any vocalists and songwriters you admire, both inside and outside of the EDM genre?
I was afraid of this question! I HAVE SO MANY! Lets see when I was growing up I listened to Michael Jackson vinyl’s for hours and Beatles records as well I think I could sing every lyric line for line by heart to any Beatles album. Haha! I listened to a lot of celtic as well, Enya is amazing, I love how fluid and seamless she makes every note sound. I love Bjork, Portishead, Fugees, Lauren Hill is the bomb, As far as electronic music goes, Nadia Ali is someone I have always listened to from the beginning she really was a big inspiration for me, especially her story I relate a lot to her. I can’t even really answer this without feeling like I have left someone out!
What advice would you give to those who feel they have a singing talent; which avenues should they pursue in order to get recognized?
If singing makes you happy and music is your passion, then go for it! Don’t ever stop doing what makes you happy and remember why you started in the first place. I don’t remember thinking to myself as a kid on stage in church that I would get paid after I sang my solo. I did it because it brought me joy. It shouldn’t matter what anyone says, in fact take the good with the bad because there is no one that I have ever met that will make something that everyone likes. Just remember who you are in the process, to be PATIENT, and accept that no matter how far you will get to never stop learning.
And finally, what do you think the future holds for Angelique Bergere?
Hmm… You will have to wait and see…Patience….Just like Markus says to me all the time, “Be patient and everything that is meant to be will be”
