VANESSA-MAE TALKS ON MSN
- online promotion of her album 'Subject To change' -

Background information and general impression
Vanessa-Mae's album Subject To change was first released in Asia early spring of 2001, shortly ahead of the release in the UK and Europe. To promote the release, Vanessa-Mae visited several countries in Asia like Hong Kong. South Korea, Taiwan and Malaysia, during April and May of 2001, doing interviews for radio and newspapers, appearances on television and photo shoots. The most creative promotion activity was, however, an interview on MSN where Vanessa-Mae answered questions that were previously submitted by fans from all over Asia. The interview was broadcasted online via the MSN website in Asia. We possess a high resolution quality version of the interview in digital format. The screen captures below come from the digital video file.

While answering the questions, Vanessa-Mae was comfortable sitting on a couch in front of a MSN bill board and with a MSN laptop computer on a table in next to her. Vanessa-Mae had an elegant long brown evening dress with a single right shoulder strap. Vanessa-Mae's make-up was perfect, yet simple in creating a smooth immaculate complexion that accentuated the perfect nature of her skin very well with the result that the natural beauty of her face was enhanced. After having it short cut for about 1 year, Vanessa-Mae had her fine black hair growing long again and it reached just up to her shoulders already.

Screen captures
The series of 15 screen captures below stem form the video and show Vanessa-Mae in that studio as she was answering the questions that were submitted by the fans. The captures provide an impression of the nature and atmosphere of the video. The setting is very simple and the costs to create the video were probable very limited. It is not known to us where the video was made, but a London studio or hotel room may be a well calculated guess.  

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Contents of the interview, the questions and highlights of Vanessa-Mae's answers
The interview consisted of 20 questions that appeared on a black screen in advance of Vanessa-Mae answering that specific question. Below, we give the exact phrased question and a brief summery of Vanessa-Mae's answer. 

Opening Statement by Vanessa-Mae!
Vanessa-Mae opens the video with welcome words: 'Hello all MSN users, I am Vanessa-Mae! Welcome to my home on MSN. Come on and get personal with me because you can get a live world chat,  a cool contest, hot downloads and a special sneak preview of my new video Destiny!

Q1 Being a young and world famous violinist, what do you think that you've gained? And sacrificed?

Summary of Vanessa-Mae's answer: Vanessa-Mae sees the experiences she had of the past 10 years, and the opportunity to decide on what she wanted to be in life at already such a young age, as gains. As major loss, she tells that not seeing her school friends for so many years as the biggest sacrifice so far. But in the end she believes gains outweigh the losses.   

Vanessa-Mae quotes from her answer:  

'For me, I had a lot of experiences over the last 10 years, and that has by far go to be the most valuable things that I have gained.'
 'And it also has been great from a young age to have found what I wanted to do for the rest of my live.'
 'Between 15 and 20, I didn't had much of a stable academic life, and didn't seen any of my friends, and that was kind of tough.'
 'But I would say that the gains completely outweigh the losses. I gained much more than I lost.'

Q2 How do you feel about being termed a 'prodigy' and a 'virtuoso'? Your successful career is obvious directed by your personal drive to succeed! How do you feel about parents who push their children to become prodigies and virtuosos?

Summary of Vanessa-Mae's answer: Vanessa-Mae admits that she recorded the Tchaikovsky and Beethoven concertos at a very young age and that she was seen a prodigy because of that. But she emphasises that it was not a deliberate choice for breaking records, but that it just happened. She doesn't look at it as being equal to breaking the 100mtr world record. She expects it only make sense for her after a long year career when she will realise that she did all that and that she was a child prodigy then. She feels everyone wants the best for their child, but that you can't push a child beyond its capacities where the child is interested in. 

Vanessa-Mae quotes from her answer:

'It wasn't something that I concentrated on breaking records. It is not like a speed limit or the fasted do a 100mtr sprint. It is not like that'
'It only started to make some sense or take some shape when you've gone through a 15 or 20 years career.'
'Everyone wants the best for their child but you can't push a child beyond its capacities or potential.' 

Q3 What are your plans for the coming years?

Summary of Vanessa-Mae's answer: Vanessa-Mae explains that in general you can't plan too much beyond years and that things happens as they come. But more specific, she tells she will be busy with the new album promoting most of this year and then go on tour, and after that she will start thinking about a new album that will probable be more classical.
 
 Vanessa-Mae quotes from her answer:

'That is a lot to ask, I mean, we do have about a 2 years plan but you have to be deductible, subjected to change, everything just happens and you have to be able to alter your plans according to what comes in.'
'We kind of decided that the next album might be potentially a classical album.'
'I am really looking forward to playing live in front of my fans on tour.'

Q4 Your music has taken you to many countries in the world. Let's talk about Asia in particular. Have you been to India? What stands in your mind the most about this country?

Summary of Vanessa-Mae's answer: Vanessa-Mae tells that she has never been to India but that she knows from stories that it is a fascinating country to be and that she looks forward to visit it one day.
 
 Vanessa-Mae quotes from her answer:

'I've never been in India, that is really one of the few I've never been to.'
'I am sure that when I went that I will be stunned and amazed by it. I really like to go in the future'

Q5 Having spent 3 years of your early years in Singapore, do you remember much of it? If so, what is your favourite memory? What do you like about Singapore now? And about neighbouring Malaysia?

Summary of Vanessa-Mae's answer: Vanessa-Mae tells that she remembers quite lot from the first 3 years of her life in Singapore. She remembers the grand parents living there, play school, her nursery room, piano lessons and the marriage of her mother to her second father. She also remembers natural father living there too. And she remembers the contrast to London when she moved there with the cold and snow, but that she adapted fast because she was so young. Vanessa-Mae explains that she visits Singapore almost every year for work and concerts, but that since her grand father died and her grand mother lives in London too, she does not have any close relationships left there anymore there that urge her presence. it still feels like coming home for her.
 
 Vanessa-Mae quotes from her answer:

'I was born in  Singapore, my grand parents used to live there too.'
'I remember the marriage of my mother to my second father, obviously because I was already really born.'
'I also remember that we moved to London and that I saw snow there.'
'But is still is almost like coming home there. It still has the vibe that I remember from age 4.'
'Of course I remember Malaysia. My parents honeymoon was to Malaysia.'
 

Q6 You had a phenomenal performance in Hong Kong during the 1997 handover, what is it like being back here? What do you like to do when you're here?

Summary of Vanessa-Mae's answer: Vanessa-Mae tells it was a great honour for her to be invited to participate on that historical moment. She has been there a couple of times and it is always nice to come again. she remembers her first time there when she was 12 for the Mozart bicentennial tour. She came back for the Red Hot and Storm tour in complete different setting than her first concert as straight classical artist.
 
 Vanessa-Mae quotes from her answer:

'It was great to be in Hong Kong for the handover to China, and to be there present at that historical moment was a great honour.'
'I remember that I was 12 to come over for the first time, and that was great coz it was for the Mozart bicentennial tour.'
'It was fun to come back for the Storm and Red Hot tours to play for people completely oppose to the classical artist I was at 12.' 

Q7 When you get a chance out of your busy touring schedule, do you shop or take tourist attractions? Tell us one thing you did in Taiwan when you weren't playing your violin!

Summary of Vanessa-Mae's answer: Vanessa-Mae tells she was for the bicentennial tour on Taiwan when she suddenly wanted to have a hair cut. It was on impulse shortly before a photo shoot, from a child without any planning or vision.   
 
 Vanessa-Mae quotes from her answer:

'I was a spontaneous child with no vision and no planning.'
'The Red Hot tour started in Taiwan, so obviously, it has s special place in my heart.'

Q8 Will you get your haircut again?

Summary of Vanessa-Mae's answer: Vanessa-Mae tells that she had it cut very short about 1.5 years ago, but that she is happy with as it is now.
 
 Vanessa-Mae quotes from her answer:

'It finally starts to grow again, so I am quite happy with that.'

Q9 Tell us about one of your visits to Korea. What do you remember most and like most about that country?

Summary of Vanessa-Mae's answer: Vanessa-Mae tells that she likes to come to South Korea. Fans are great and people are friendly and funny in a way.
 
 Vanessa-Mae quotes for her answer:

'Most important, the fans are really really cool in Korea.'
'It has been 2 or 3 years since I've been there, so i am looking forward to it.'

Q10 Your new album slated for release May 1st this year is entitled 'Subject To Change.' What inspired the idea behind this title?

Summary of Vanessa-Mae's answer: Vanessa-Mae explains that a lot of things changed over the past period, some consciously and some subconsciously. The new album contains only one cover song (VMSPOS: the song White Bird) all other material is original, and therefore more pop and more contemporary that the repertoire so far, and meant for more people's appreciation. She tells that it goes beyond the fusion style she had so far, and that the musical ideas differ from previous music. This all is meant with he title of the new album Subject To change.   
 
 Vanessa-Mae quotes for her answer:

'A lot of things changed over the past year, some consciously, some subconsciously.'
'My musical ideas and experiences has changed, are so much different on this album.'
'I really wanted to bring in diverse differences, for the first time we do not have cover versions, only 1 song.'
'The violin style is not solely classical on this album.'
'What brought the musical differences, is that i had to start live my own live a little bit more.'
'I have to find my feet a little bit in the equilibrium between my personal and professional.'
'I can't put it in words, but I can put in music, has contributed to the album, I think.'
'I am always been quite keen in taking risks to change musically and in my life, for better for worse.'
'I kind of like the concept of Destiny: are you in charge of the change, or is the change in charge!'
'I've taken the conscious decision to change.'
'And that is basically what the album is all about.'
'people have different concepts of the album, and it is an album is suppose to identify with everybody.' 
 

Q11 It was said that as a child, you regarded your violin as a pet with a cuddle and affectionate feeling. Now however, your violin has grown from a pet to a partner in music business. Describe this!

Summary of Vanessa-Mae's answer: From aged 12, Vanessa-Mae tells, her violin was her only constant companion. She narrates how she got the violin from her step-father. She realised that it was an old instrument and that it had already lived through a whole life. Because all her pets had names, she decided to name the violin Gizmo. She sometimes still talks to her violin, but not in the same was as she used to.

Vanessa-Mae quotes for her answer:

'Especially from the age of 12, it was the one constant companion that I really had.'
'Sometimes, i still talk to my violin, but not in the same way I used to as I was 10 years old.'
'The violin is my voice.. The violin is the way I communicate with people.'
'the most i have to say is not through speaking but through music, and obviously the violin is my voice.'

Q12 Would you say your life is like a butterfly?

Summary of Vanessa-Mae's answer: Vanessa-Mae sees some comparisons with a butterfly and her life, considering all the changes she has gone through. She sees that the final part of the butterfly is the best and most beautiful part of it's life. Although in almost every ones life up and downs follow each other, she hopes that there will always be room to strive for the better and improvement.

Vanessa-Mae quotes for her answer:

'You don't live that long, so you have to make the most out of your life, definitely.'
'People will have ups and downs, but hopefully there is always striving for the upside in their lives.'
'We can't fly like a butterfly, but there some metamorphosis in our lives and that is just basically growing up.'
'You strive for perfection and beauty in your work.'
 

Q13 What do you do the most on the computer? Do you compose music on the computer?

Summary of Vanessa-Mae's answer: Vanessa-Mae tells there are computers in the office and that she and her team travel with laptops. She doesn't have to to write that many letters because she has people who do that for her. For herself, she used computers tools in the process of making her album, composing, and editing recording. The computer makes life so much easier this way, and computers have to be used for the benefit.

Vanessa-Mae quotes for her answer:

'I do not have my own laptop yet.'
'You should use a computer when it is for your benefit.'
'With a laptop when I go on tour, I can write and perform music at the same time.'

Q14 How often do you access the internet?

Summary of Vanessa-Mae's answer: Vanessa-Mae tells she sometimes access the internet, since it the fastest way to get information. She is now in the process of setting up a 'Vanessa-Mae' website with EMI. She doesn't call herself an internet freak.

Vanessa-Mae quotes for her answer:

'I would not say that I am like an internet freak currently.'
'Right now, we are setting up a Vanessa-Mae website to go with the album, and I am very happy to be involved in the internet then.'

Q15 Do you like using e-mal to keep in touch with your friends?

Summary of Vanessa-Mae's answer: Vanessa-Mae explains that she will be communicating with fans through email options that will be available at her forthcoming website. She considers email an important tool to communicate and keep in touch with friends and family. She has an email facility available on her mobile phone to keep up with her friends.

Vanessa-Mae quotes for her answer:

'On the new website that we are creating, all our correspondence, newsletters and pictures will go to the fans through email, I mean the internet.'
'I have an email facility on my mobile phone and hook up with my friends.'

Q16 Which websites do you frequently visit? Why?

Summary of Vanessa-Mae's answer: Vanessa-Mae tells that she is interested in websites dealing with animals, especially dogs because she loves dogs. Vanessa-Mae searched the internet for getting information about Sharpei dogs, and she bought her puppy based in this information.

Vanessa-Mae quotes for her answer:

'Anything to do with dogs, dog breeding, coz I love dogs.'
'Before I bought my two Sharpei-s, so all I knew about Sharpei-s was on that website.'

Q17 Where do you want to be when you are 50 years old?

Summary of Vanessa-Mae's answer: Vanessa-Mae jokes that she hopes to still be alive then. then seriously, she hopes to be still involved into music and having fun, be energetic and active. But she considers being 50 years so far away from now from to really think about. She hopes to have a cool family life then.

Vanessa-Mae quotes for her answer:

'Where do I want be when 50? Well I hope to be alive still.'
'I hope that I am still having fun and to be still very much involved into music, I see myself full of music, so energetic, so active in music.'
'There is never a time that you are too old for music.'
'I hope by that time, you know, to have a really cool family life, and to balance that with the work that I choose to do.'
'I hope to never loose that drive for music that I have right now.'

Q18 If you had the chance again to choose a profession, would you have chosen to become a violinist or would you have something else in mind?

Summary of Vanessa-Mae's answer: Vanessa-Mae sees playing the violin as one of the most rewarding vocations she could ever imagine, but she sees herself as a sports person since she especially loves snow skiing. She also considers being a lawyer as fun, since her father is a lawyer.

Vanessa-Mae quotes for her answer:

'Playing the violin has being one of the most rewarding vocations that I could ever imagine.'
'I would love to be a sports person, I love different sports, but especially snow skiing.'
'It would be fun to be a lawyer, my father is a lawyer.'

Q19 What kind of person are you (e.g. energetic, sentimental, optimistic...)?

Summary of Vanessa-Mae's answer: Vanessa-Mae tells she can be very energetic but also extremely lethargic in the morning. She suffers from insomnia sometimes when she is geared up for something. She finds herself fickle and capricious, but can be determined when she is decided and knows what she wants. Vanessa-Mae calls herself very detailed, she has a great eye for details. She is not afraid of risks; she is a dreamer, but fells reality can beat your dreams. She is in general optimistic but tries to second guess all her actions.

Vanessa-Mae quotes for her answer:

'I am fickle and capricious, but at the same time I know exactly what I want.'
'I am detailed, I can concentrate on details very much.'
'the are quite a few contradictions in me, that I think bring about the fusion in my music.'
'I am not afraid of risks, I am a dreamer but fells reality can beat your dreams.'
'I am quite optimistic but try to second guess my actions.'
 

Q20 Is fashion important to you? You were voted one of the 50 most beautiful people of the world by People Magazine. Can you share your ideas on fashion with what you wear today?

Summary of Vanessa-Mae's answer: Vanessa-Mae believes fashion is about what you feel comfortable in and in what you look good. Personally, Vanessa-Mae likes Jean Paul Gaultier, but she likes casual wear too like levy jeans

Vanessa-Mae quotes for her answer:

'Fashion is important because it is about wearing what you feel comfortable in, and what looks good on you.'
'Finding what you feel comfortable in, is what fashion is really all about.'

Closing remark: That is it! Thank you very much, Vanessa-Mae!!

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