Tiffany Starr is a talented songwriter that started her career with Grammy Award winners Kanye West and John Legend, and had her first major placement with Danity Kane's "Poetry", taken from their smash sophomore album, "Welcome to the Dollhouse".
In addition to working with producers such as Mario Winans (Faith Evans, Keyshia Cole), Bryan Michael Cox (Usher Raymond, Mariah Carey), Nate "Danja" Hills (Justin Timberlake, Brandy Norwood), Jim Jonsin (Beyonce Knowles, LeToya Luckett) and Qaadir "Neo Da Matrix" Atkinson (Rihanna Fenty, Nina Sky), Starr is also crafting hits on the next projects by Cassie Ventura [Next Selection / Bad Boy Records], Kat DeLuna [Epic Records], Ashley Tisdale [Hollywood Records], David Archuleta [Jive Records] and Velvet Angels [Def Jam Records].
In this exclusive interview with *Monica Mania*, Tiffany talks about her beginnings as a songwriter, future plans for her company "Star Studded Music", collaborating with Sean "Diddy" Combs, the side effects that illegal downloading has on songwriters, and so much more!
Hamada: - Tell us about how you started your professional songwriting career?
Tiffany: - I was always a writer. That was my niche, but when I became knowledgeable about the business, I started songwriting as a path for my career.
I left my small town of Lincoln, MA to attend New York University. New York gave me so much opportunity to explore and learn. I started working for Kanye West and John Legend and observed as much as I could as their careers blossomed in front of me.
Then I taught myself how to engineer and started working on a collection of songs getting beats where I could. Next it was a matter of using those songs to get better beats and to be heard by more people. I just kept writing and writing until songs started sticking.
Hamada: - Do you have plans of releasing an album of your own?
Tiffany:- Yes my company, Starr Studded Music, has plans in the near future to release hot creative music and innovative artists.
Hamada: - Out of all the producers you've teamed up with, whom did you enjoy working with the most? And which ones you'd love to collaborate with in the near future?
Tiffany: - I've really enjoyed my time working in the studio with Al be Back, Diddy, Bryan Michael Cox, Seven Aurelius and the Soul Diggaz, but my goals are endless, so I would love to branch out and collaborate with Ryan Leslie, Lukasz "Dr. Luke" Gottwald and Mark Ronson to name a few.
Hamada: - Explain the damage extent that songwriters have suffered from due to illegal downloading of songs? And what do you think the solution to that problem would be?
Tiffany: - Personally, I believe that more people are exposed to music than ever before. This keeps publishing afloat and as a writer that where my interests lye. With that being said, album sales are definitely going down.
As for a solution to illegal downloading I suggest exploring paying monthly for music, the way we pay for cable as a subscription. Also, fans need to feel connected to the artists and I think that American fans are loosing that connection and the beauty of being a real fan, whereas overseas you still see the diehard fans that rush to the stores and support.
Hamada: - Why is it that songwriters are less successful than the artists they write hits for when it comes to their own material?
Tiffany: - I don't really think that's always the case, but my thoughts are that the artists they write for have been concentrating on their artistry and are in the position they are in because they are great at just that, while writers who become artists are often given the chance to come out because of the light shined on them because of the songs they wrote.
Hamada: - You've written songs for artists such as Cassie, Kat DeLuna, Ashley Tisdale and The Velvet Angels. Who was easiest to work with? And which artists are on your wish list of upcoming collabos?
Tiffany: - Cassie was so sweet and lot's of fun in the studio. I think on her next album, Diddy is really concentrating on uptempos as well as emotional records that say something, so that makes me excited. I can't wait to work with Leona Lewis! I would also love to work with Christina Aguilera and No Doubt.
Hamada: - How important is it for artists and songwriters to get together and brainstorm ideas instead of submitting demos back and forth?
Tiffany: - More and more often it is becoming easier to submit demos because then a writer and producer have the opportunity to create just what the label is looking for. While sometimes the best material comes from bringing the artist in, sometimes the session becomes less focused cuz we are just vibing out.
Hamada: - Describe yourself in 3 words.
Tiffany: - Passionate, goofy, and intense.
Hamada: -List 5 ways to get your attention.
Tiffany: - New sounds, organic sounds, emotional music, being straight to the point and real.
Hamada: - Which qualities do you usually look for in a partner? And what turns you off?
Tiffany: - I wanna feel refreshed and motivated. Collaboration can inspire when paired right. If the vibe isn't there and someone is too shy to throw out ideas or is hesitant, it turns me off.
Hamada: - Tell us something that most people don't know about you.
Tiffany: - I am obsessed with the show Lost! When I talk to other fans of the show, I turn into superdork and I can't stop (lol)!
Hamada: - Where do you see yourself 10 years from now?
Tiffany: - Starr Studded Music has 3 Platinum artists and has fully flourished as an innovative publishing company allowing new writers to emerge and take over in all aspects from TV and film to popular music. I create small goals and stack them to accomplish my big goals.
Hamada: - Any message you'd like to give to aspiring songwriters all over the world?
Tiffany: - Never get stuck on one song. Concentrate on one underlying idea and explore that point throughout the song. Don't be afraid to think outside the box and take risks lyrically, but pay attention to editing melodies.
[Visit] Tiffany Starr @ MySpace
