©Emily Bindiger
Please introduce yourself to the readers of Summon the Roses
Hi, everyone, my name is Emily Bindiger, I'm a singer who has worked on all kinds of projects, from touring to singing on movie soundtracks to performing with all kinds of bands to singing on commercial jingles, movie soundtracks and on Broadway and international stages.
You released your first album, Emily, at the age of 16. Can you tell us what it meant for you to release an album at such a young age?
I didn't really think about it too much at the time. I was doing a show in France and was "discovered" by a producer at a record company. It has gained sort of a cult status, but if I were to do it again, I would have taken more control of the production and made it a little less complex.
Can you tell us the story behind the cover of your album Emily? Do you remember that exact day when you took the picture?
It was the producer's idea. I think it was February and IT WAS FREEZING OUTSIDE!!! It was taken just outside Paris, in the Bois de Boulogne.
The Accidentals a capella group has been a huge part of your life as a singer and musician. What has been the most beloved project you have worked on with The Accidentals and how did it impact your career?
The Accidentals were/are very important to me. It was so great to make music with these amazing singers for about 20 years. I think the most wonderful thing we did was win the Harmony Sweepstakes, which is an a cappella singing competition. We sang our very best and we won!
Who came up with the name The Accidentals and is there a special meaning behind the name?
In music, an accidental is a sharp, flat, or natural sign that is placed before a note that is not normally within the key signature. The founder of the group, Margaret Dorn, came up with the name.
You have performed worldwide and lived in France at a young age. What has been your favorite place to visit?
One of my favorite places in the world is Japan. I first worked there in 1999, touring with Neil Sedaka, then accompanying my boyfriend (now my husband) when he was playing keyboards with Carole King and James Taylor in 2010, then again about 6 years ago with Yuki Kajiura live. I just love Japan - cannot wait to go back!
You have recorded with Japanese composer Yuki Kajiura for the Fantasy animated series .hack//SIGN, can you share with us a special memory of your time working on this series?
Yuki is an amazing composer and we always had a great time working together. Her harmonies are so beautiful and complex and she and I just "clicked" and would laugh when we both knew something I had recorded was perfect.
What kind of preparation did you have to do before working on .hack//SIGN? The sound is iconic and surreal gives a feeling of isolation. Did you find yourself visiting different places to get into the appropriate feeling?
I visited them in my brain!!! (LOL) I always approach singing as storytelling. The composer wants to tell a story and it's my job to tell that story.
How would you describe what it was like to work on the Cowboy Bebop soundtrack with composer Yoko Kanno and the Seatbelts?
Yoko Kanno is another extraordinary composer. Working with her was very different from working with Yuki. Usually in recording, everyone records their part separately. In other words, the pianist puts down his/her part, then another instrumentalist, then another, then the singer. So if you make a mistake or want to redo something, you just stop the track and redo it. But when I was working with Yoko, she likes everyone to perform together at the same time, like a live performance, so the bar was raised very high to get it right. If you stop, then EVERYONE has to start over. Lots of pressure! There were some parts of her songs that I would like to have done over, but she was happy with what I did, so I didn't get the chance to re-record.
What has been your favorite song to record/perform for an animated series?
I think my favorite anime songs that I sang are Fiction and Every Time You Kissed Me, both by Yuki Kajiura.
You have recorded countless of Tv shows soundtracks and commercials, what has been your favorite soundtrack so far?
My favorite soundtrack was "A Chorus Line - The Movie". It was my first, and the arrangements were complicated and it was fulfilling to be able to get it right.
What would you say to up-and-comers who are trying to make it in this industry?
OH my goodness...what to say...? Things have changed so much! People record in their own homes now, upload their videos to YouTube and TikTok; the industry is really different from when I first started out. I would say, write your own songs, or find someone to collaborate with, learn the basics of home recording, and just stick with it. Interestingly, the pandemic has opened up lots of avenues on the internet to get your voice and your music out there. BUT, also understand that study is important. Really learn to sing well and to understand, at least, some basic concepts of music.
You have collaborated with different composers and artists in your career as a singer. Are there any artists you have not yet collaborated with that you would like to work on a project with?
I have been very lucky to work with such amazing people like Leonard Cohen, Carole King, Neil Sedaka, George Benson...I would love to work with someone like James Taylor, and there's a Broadway artist, Jessica Vosk, who is just extraordinary and I would love to work with her as well. You should all check her out!
Having had such a successful music career, are there any goals you look forward to pursuing in the future, both in and out of the music industry?
I started doing volunteer work a few years ago and had to stop due to the pandemic. I was teaching Citizenship Preparation to immigrants who want to become U.S. citizens. So very rewarding, and I look forward to getting back to it when I feel it is safe. Musically, I look forward to more producing and arranging.
What are some projects you are currently working on that you can share with us?
Which leads to my next answer! I have been producing a singer-songwriter named Marcia Pelletiere. She was in The Accidentals with me and has written some incredible songs. She asked me to be her producer and we have been working together remotely during the pandemic. A very wonderful collaboration, I think, and it should be finished by the end of this year.
Do you have a question you've always wanted to answer but never been asked in the past?
"Is there anything else you'd rather be doing?"
And the answer is NO! I love what I do.
Lastly, do you have a message for your fans?
Yes. THANK YOU for being my fans. It means so much to me that you have been so lovely and supportive. Thank you so very much!!!
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We want to give a special thanks to Emily Bindiger for allowing us to conduct this interview.
