FONTEYN

Photos by Aubrey Schuring

In this interview, Salt Lake City-based singer-songwriter Fonteyn discusses her songwriting influences, her love of the major 7th chord, and her upcoming EP release.

Interview by Uzomah Ugwu

How would you describe your sound? Who are some musicians and singers who have been big influences or inspirations for you?

Nostalgic, dreamy and theatrical. I have always been captivated by Karen Carpenter’s voice, it makes me cry. I love Todd Rundgren, his Something/Anything? album has influenced me a lot, but also Carol King, Paul McCartney, Burt Bacharach, I could go on!

You say that you create songs which satisfy your love of the major 7th chord. Could you elaborate on this? What are some qualities or elements of this particular chord which work so well for you musically?

Ahh, the major 7th. The chord has a melancholy and dreamy sound, it sounds like memories! It has always been a source of inspiration for me. I know that now, from playing all the songs I loved as a child, and discovering they all have that major 7th sound. I once saw a YouTube video of Todd Rundgren at Berklee or some music college talking about major 7th chords and how full of emotion they are — I felt instantly validated and "seen" (Todd I love you!)

You have a background in musical theater. How would you say your theatrical training and sensibilities are expressed in your performances, look, and music?

Hmm, yes definitely more of my theatrical side is showing itself now than when I was younger. I don't care as much what people think now and I'm really connected to the things I love and inspire me. It's been an evolution, coming back to things I love and not holding back, which I used to do. I think you can hear the theatricality in the lyrics and melodies, I just love musicality, and that's a big part of musical theatre obviously. My hope is that it has found its way into some of my songs.

Do you have any songwriting collaborators or do you primarily compose your own music? What's your writing process like?

Primarily it's just me but I also work with other writers. On my new EP I worked with another producer/writer and it pushed me into areas I'd otherwise not explore.

My process can vary but usually when it ends up being a good song it's what I call "going fishing" where I just start messing around on the piano and I get inspired by a chord progression. Sometimes random words come that way too and then I start making them into a song. I usually "hear" what needs to come next. It's a like a jigsaw puzzle, and I get tunnel vision until it's done, and then it's the best feeling in the world, whether the song is good or not! Just giving it life is good, do it enough and hopefully you get a few good ones!

Can you describe a time when music has helped you get through a rough patch, either by listening to it or creating it?

I wrote a lot of break up songs when I was younger. I went through a break up that was pain like I'd never felt. Writing helped me find a voice for my anger. I listen back to those songs now and want to give that girl a hug. There are also other songs I listened to at that time, but you have to be careful what you listen to when you're really sad or going through something, because the memory of the pain is time stamped into the song, for me anyway. Not all songs, but there definitely are a few that transport me back to that time and place.

You are British-born, but where do you primarily reside now? In what ways do you think your current surroundings influence you creatively?

I ended up in L.A. pursuing an acting career, and lived there for a long time, I love L.A. and it feels like a second home, and my closest friends are there too...but for the past year and a half I've been living in Salt Lake City, which has been a big change. Creatively I've had more time to write sing and play, which has been great. I've also been really inspired by the talent and skill of the musicians I've met here in SLC, everyone can sing and play really really well, often several instruments, which I really admire and I aspire to do. I'm currently taking notes from them!

What's coming up for you in the near future? Any particular recordings or shows that you would like people to know about?

I'm getting ready to release my new EP, as singles. My first single from the EP will be released before the end of the year! I've got some videos planned and my first full-band show with some incredibly talented musicians here in SLC in December, which I am very excited about. I'll be posting all show info on my Instagram and song releases there too so it's the best place to keep track of me. My dream is to next year go on tour, maybe if I put it in writing here it will come true!

Listen to more of Fonteyn’s music and check for updates on her site and on Instagram.

You might also like our interview with the singer-songwriters Brenda Carsey and Courtney McKenna.

Uzomah Ugwu is a poet, writer, and activist. Her core focus is on human rights, mental health, animal rights and the rights of LGBTQ persons. Her writing has been featured in Prelude Magazine, Tuck Magazine, Voices of Eve and Light Journal, and is forthcoming in the Angel City Review and the Scarlet Leaf Review. She is the Contributing/Poetry Editor for A Tired Heroine magazine. Her love for art comes from a passion instilled by her mother. Some of her favorite artists include Louis Bourgeois, Jarlath Daly, Gauguin, Lamidi Olonde Fakeye, and Jackson Pollack.