Scarlett Pomers Interview

by Rick Landers

Scarlett Pomers moves among media like a cat on the prowl. Not satisfied to keep herself wrapped in any single comfort zone, the young sultry red-headed beauty dives into feature films, television series and recently launched a music career. Lately, Pomers and her band have been getting rave reviews around the L.A. club circuit.

Kicking off her acting career at the age of 3, Scarlett won a spot in Michael Jackson's Heal the World Video, before landing roles in such movies as Mighty Joe Young and blockbuster Erin Brockovich. A long list of credits followed including the character of Naomi Wildman, the hybrid daughter of a Ktarian father and a human mother, on Star Trek: Voyager.

Scarlett not only totes a Gibson Flying V that she was given for her 16th birthday, but also a black Les Paul Standard Ebony, a gift from none other than the Gibson Guitar Company.

Pomers' voice has a maturity beyond her years, offering up the stand and deliver quality of Madonna in her Middle Eastern dirge, "Insane". Many of Pomers' songs convey the angular musings, angst and attitude sure to entertain a new generation.

Playing in the Los Angeles area, Pomers and crew have been getting gallons of good ink in the local press and she's been offered residencies at B.B. King's, The Knitting Factory, and The Roxy.

Most people know you as Kyra Hart, Reba McEntire's daughter on the hit comedy, Reba, but we understand you're a bit of a rock 'n' roller?

Scarlett Pomers: Music has been an important part of my life for as long as I can remember. My uncle had a rock band for 15 years and even when I could barely sit up he would sit in front of me playing his guitar and singing the songs he wrote.

I enjoy so many different styles of music, but when I was around ten, I started to really listen to the classic rock stations. I just fell in love with the amazing music that came out of the '60s, '70s and '80s

When did you first pick up the guitar?

I got my first guitar (an acoustic Fender), for my 13th birthday. I started taking lessons with a local teacher and like every kid, I got bored with just practicing the usual chords and scales. I wanted to play songs, so I added another teacher and started learning classic rock songs. That's when I got excited about the instrument. A year later, I got my first electric guitar. I still take lessons every week and try to practice every day.

Who are your major musical influences?

SP: My mom introduced me to Led Zeppelin and Fleetwood Mac. My brother played Metallica for me and I was hooked. I love Middle Eastern music and Spanish guitar. My favorite female artists start with Stevie Nicks, Janis Joplin, Sarah Brightman, Heart, Pat Benataur, Amy Lee of Evanescence and Cristina Scabbia of Lacuna Coil.

Tell us about your band and how you got together.

SP: I've been singing since I was about six-years-old and I was supposed to finish an album last year when I was on hiatus from REBA, but I dislocated my kneecap for the third time and had to have surgery to keep it from happening again.

During my four month recovery, I was pretty unhappy that I couldn't finish working with the writers and producers I was scheduled to do the album with. So by the fourth month I was getting around in my brace and making progress in my physical therapy and my mom said I could put a band together and rehearse sitting down until the brace came off. By that time maybe we could do a show.

What I didn't know was how much fun it would be and now it has become the most amazing experience I've ever had! All of my guys love classic rock and they are really talented and fun to work with.

We understand that Gibson Guitars is recognizing you in a special way.

SP: They've been good enough to support my band and me, and they gave me my first Les Paul guitar. It's gorgeous and I also got a Flying V for my 16th birthday last year.

How do you go about writing your songs? Do you start with lyrics and come up with the music or do you just start strumming and the lyrics "arrive"?

SP: Well, I'm always writing, whether it's journals, short stories, or poetry. When I started pursuing my music career, I began using my poetry for song lyrics.

Most of the time, when I begin a song, I have the lyrics, or a concept in my head and try to put it to music. Sometimes it's the other way around, but many times I'll just be riding in the car and a whole song will come to me, then I have to stop and write it all down.

When playing on stage is there any acting going on or are you in full music mode?

SP: As a musician, I'm expressing my real self on stage, but there's definitely a little acting involved, because if the song is sad or angry, you really have to channel the energy and emotions that inspired you to write it in the first place. When I'm performing, I'd like to think of it more as an embellishment than as an act, though.

After

How did you get started in acting and at what point did you figure out that you had musical talent?

SP: My mom put me into acting when I was 3, because I was a really wild little kid. I could walk and talk from a really early age, and wasn't afraid of anyone! Commercial agents love little kids like that. When I got older, I would bring weird beetles and plastic shrunken heads into auditions. I guess the casting people thought I was pretty quirky.

I started taking singing lessons when I was about six, but wasn't really bitten by the music bug until I was about 11 or 12. I just woke up one day and told my mom, "I don't think we're doing enough to pursue my music career".

I think she was a little freaked out, but ever since, we've been working on my music.

"The Right Decision, Right Now" -- tell us how you became involved in the no smoking campaign.

SP: I have always been anti-smoking. My grandfather died of lung cancer when I was 6-years-old. He was a really cool guy and I wish he was still around so I could have gotten to know him. He was a writer and loved the beach like me. I love doing charity work and the cause is one I stand behind completely, so it seemed like the perfect campaign to be a part of.

What new guitar or music projects are you working on now -- any more planned?

SP: Currently, I'm in the studio working on an album with songwriting and producing team, The Wizardz. We are shooting for an early fall completion date.

Are you more of a strummer or a lead guitarist?

SP: I play rhythm with my band, in our live shows. I leave the fancy stuff to my guys. They love to show off on their solos and I'm really proud of them. Playing the guitar has made it so much easier to write my own songs. I used to write only lyrics, now I contribute to the melodies as well.

Guitars?

SP: In my live show I like to use my Cherry Gibson Flying V. It was the only thing I wanted for my 16th birthday. I also have a Les Paul Ebony Standard that I received from the Gibson Company. I love it and it sounds incredible.

For one of my songs called, Turn the Light On, I use a one-of-a-kind Mirrorball Diablo made by a company called Minarik Guitars. I also own a Minarik Inferno. They sound amazing and are the sexiest looking guitars I've ever seen!

For the acoustic songs in my live show, I use a gorgeous Ibanez that was given to me by everyone I work with on REBA. The guitar I treasure the most however, I've never played. It's autographed by every member of Fleetwood Mac. My mom gave it to me for Christmas and I'm afraid to touch it! I think I'll just frame it.

I love all of my guitars for different reasons and I wish more schools offered kids the chance to learn to play. Music has been the best outlet in my life and I don't know what I'd do without it. I feel very lucky!

Who are your favorite guitarists?

SP: Some of my favorite guitar players are the late Dimebag Darrell, Nancy Wilson, Kirk Hammett, and Jimmy Page. One of the most amazing performances I've ever seen is Jimmy Page playing his guitar with a bow on the Led Zeppelin DVD. It blows my mind every time!

If you could be in any band -- past or future groups -- which would it be and why?

SP: Metallica! They're my favorite band and I'd love to be the only female member!

Any songs in your iPod or CD player that you're playing over and over again?

SP: Right now I'm into a lot of Latin music. I have a Spanish guitar CD, the new Shakira Spanish language CD and Los Lonely Boys Live CD that I play continuously.

You're a bit of a full force gale when it comes to work -- what drives you to succeed?

SP: I love what I do, and I go after everything 100%. I want to be the best I can at everything I do. I've been very fortunate in my career already, but I know luck isn't enough, you have to be totally committed and not afraid to make sacrifices to succeed.

Related link

Scarlett Pomers' website

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