Model. TV Presenter. Actress. Singer.
Erika Heynatz proved that she had the pipes and won the first ‘It Takes Two’ title, now brings us the winning result. In town to mix both her music and modelling past by performing and handing out advice to aspiring models at the Girlfriend Model Search, Erika shares her Sweeter Side.
Q. How would you describe yourself?
Driven, resilient and creative.
Q. Who are your musical influences?
Annie Lennox, Suzanne Vega, Sia, KT Tunstall, Sheryl Crow, KD Lang, John Mayer.
Q. What song would be most played on your iPod?
There’s a remix of Robyn’s ‘Dancing On My Own’ that has been on heavy rotation, definitely. The new Eminem album is fantastic, but then there’s Cinderella Man and Lady Antebellum also. I like a good mix of genres.
Q. What are you most passionate about in life?
Music, creative communication – I’ve discovered that my roles give me the power of voice to support various things. I’m passionate about making a lot of noise!
Q. How would you describe ‘Sweeter Side’?
It’s pop, but largely acoustic. There’s a balances duel themes of strength and vulnerability.
Q. Do you have a favourite track on the album?
‘Bullet’. It’s got a really playful attitude, very tongue-in-cheek. It’s an empowering song for girls! Then there’s ‘Holding On’, which is a completely opposite emotion to Bullet. There’s a yearning, regret and sense of loss that I feel connected to.
Q. Tell us about recording at the Village Studios in Los Angeles.
It was amazing. There’s just hallways covered in gold records from people who have recorded there – Fleetwood Mac, Stevie Wonder – and there’s a mediation room out the back that the Beatles used and the view of the city is stunning.
There are a lot of the same engineers who have worked with the greats and everyone there are such passionate music lovers who just want to help you make the best record possible, there’s no sabotage. I got to work with Abe Laboriel Jr., Paul McCartney’s drummer which was amazing and I think I stole half of John Mayer’s band too.
Q. In the Bullet video, you play a femme fatale, the 50’s era temptress. Was that fun to play?
Lyrically, the song has really strong visual cues – I had a very strong idea of what I wanted from the video. I worked with Gemma Lee, a strong female director and her love of 50’s cinema really shaped her approach to the video also.
I had the chance to work with a great upcoming stylist Lucinda Rose and put the poor thing through her paces – aside from the costume changes, we used one of Hugh Jackman’s motorcycles and a snake. I’m good with snakes – I’ve worked with the reptile and human forms before – but spiders? Not good, no way.
Q. Is this your first musical tour – being on the road with the Girlfriend Model Search, is this your first tour musically?
Yes! It’s fantastic, because I get to do what I love and the opportunity to play things live, that I normally wouldn’t get to this audience. And it’s great being able to give the girls a hand, a bit of advice to aspiring models.
Q. What does the future hold for you?
Hopefully, I get some fantastic sync opportunities – I’d love opportunities to work in the UK and USA again, in music, TV and movies. Musically, I want to extend my creative community and collaborate with both local and overseas artists. But right now? I’m happy! I’ve got a big plate and it’s full, I love what I do… I can’t ask for much more.
Sweeter Side was written across the UK, the USA and of course, Australia, using some of the industry’s best names. The result is an earthy pop sound that is vaguely reminiscent of early Natalie Imbruglia and Adelaide’s own Sia, littered with heartfelt tunes and poppy gems that make ‘Sweeter Side’ a very sweet debut.
Interview by Jamie Doran
Make sure to check out ‘Sweeter Side’ out July 16th and follow Erika on Twitter!
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