ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: Fiona Corinne
June 17, 2017
Fiona Corinne is a pop singer-songwriter based out of Lowell, MA. She calls her music “show-pop,” or as she describes, a blend of pop, rock, and show tunes.
Corinne has been singing and making music for as long as she can remember. Her parents enrolled her and her three siblings in piano lessons in the 2nd grade and she’s been at it ever since. “Choir, band and show ensembles were a big part of my life through high school,” she said. “I was a full-on music nerd.”
Growing up, she listened to a lot of classic rock, oldies and metal. But, then she discovered Avril Lavigne and was hooked. According to Corinne, Lavigne’s fist album inspired her to start writing her own music.
The first song Corinne ever wrote was called “Here’s To My.” At the time, she knew she wanted to name her debut album to be named after the song. And she did! In December of 2016, Fiona released her debut full-length acoustic album titled Here’s To My.
Corinne writes songs about everything that goes on around her. “Not only do I write about my life, love, troubles, but I love to tell stories that I think are important,” she said.
Corinne hopes her performance at Make Music Boston will make a few people’s day a little brighter.
“That’s why I love to write, and to sing, and especially to busk. I love music, and I love to share that love with anyone who wants to hear it. Even if it just means making someone’s crowded subway commute a tiny bit better.”
Fiona will be performing at Make Music Boston 2017 on Wednesday, June 21st. Catch her at Boston Public Market at 1:00 p.m. and at Downtown Crossing at 5:00 p.m.
Read our full interview with Fiona Corinne below:
Can you tell me a little bit about yourself and your musical journey thus far?
I’ve been singing for as long as I can remember. My parents started all four of their kids in piano lessons in 2nd grade, and I was in my first musical in 3rd. Choir, band and show ensembles were a big part of my life through high school – I was a full on music nerd. I started writing music almost 13 years ago, but I like to think my songwriting has come a long way since then. My fiancee and I moved to Lowell 2 years ago, and that’s when I made the scary/exciting decision to pursue music full time. Since then, I went on a three-week tour across the Eastern half of the country, I finally released my first original album, and I get to say I’m a full-time musician (it’s still exciting)!
You fell in love with music from an early age. What musicians did you look up to when you were just getting started?
Until middle school, I listened to whatever my parents or older siblings listened to. A lot of classic rock, oldies and (thanks to my older brother) metal. Then… I discovered Avril Lavigne. Her first album is what inspired me to start writing. I even have a tattoo of the logo from that CD. Once I found Avril, the floodgate was opened. I listened to a little bit of everything and ended up falling in love with pop. I love cruising with the windows down and the Top 40 station blasting. Top 5 inspirations throughout my songwriting journey are Avril Lavigne, Demi Lovato, Sara Bareilles, Kesha and Tove Lo.
How would you describe your music to people who have never listened to you?
I like to call it “show-pop”, but since that’s only a Fiona-ism (for now), pop/rock/showtunes is pretty accurate. Kind of like, sassy punk-rock on a Broadway stage.
You just released a full-length acoustic album titled ‘Here’s To My.’ Congrats! What was your inspiration behind the album?
Thank you! And oh man, this album has been in the works since I started writing music. The very first song I ever wrote is called “Here’s to My,” and I got it in my head that that’s what I was going to name my debut CD. And 12 years later, I did. And in those 12 years, I wrote lots of songs about absolutely everything around me. Not only do I write about my life, love, troubles, but I love to tell stories that I think are important. Anywhere my imagination takes me is fair game for new songs.
You’re originally from Rochester, NY. So, why Boston? What urged you to make the move?
Ryan (my boyfriend then, now my fiancee), got a job in Westford, and Massachusetts is a great place to be for music, so we packed up a truck and made the move. While I really miss my family and friends in New York, I’ve made some incredible friends here, plus there’s so much music to enjoy in Boston.
What’s your favorite part about the Boston and New England music scene?
The welcoming and open minded community! Music is a cut throat industry, but the way musicians here come together to help each other and put on events is so awesome. It’s not musicians competing against each other, it’s friends who just want to play some sweet music.
What drew you to Make Music Boston festival?
I do a lot of street performances around Boston, and during one of these busking sessions, a passer-by recommended checking out Make Music Day. And OF COURSE I’m all about filling the longest day of the year with music, so I jumped right on board!
What do you hope people get out of your performance at Make Music Boston?
I hope that it makes their day a little brighter. That’s why I love to write, and to sing, and especially to busk. I love music, and I love to share that love with anyone who wants to hear it. Even if it just means making someone’s crowded subway commute a tiny bit better.
Catch Fiona Corinne’s Make Music Boston performances
Wednesday, June 21
Boston Public Market @ 1pm
Downtown Crossing @ 5pm
Keep up with Fiona on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or on her Website.