Shecky’s

This Music Monday, we at Shecky’s wanted to introduce you to Heather Park, a true stand-out in the singing world. Her second album Stay just debuted and we were fortunate enough to ask Park some questions about her Korean background, her inspiring lyrics and her music career.

SHECKY’S: Your new album is about “love learned, lost and reborn,” can you elaborate on how your personal experiences within the five years it has taken to make the album are translated through the music?

HEATHER PARK: Very simple: I was in a long-term relationship and experienced so many trials. We were caught up in the vicious cycle of breakup, get back together. My music is wildly personal.

S: When did you discover you could sing, and did your Korean-American upbringing give you a different perspective on the types of music you listened to? Do you have much of a fan base in Korea?

HP: I’m not sure if I was influenced by my Korean-American heritage musically. But I grew up listening to SINGERS—regardless of genre. The Beatles, The Platters, Whitney Houston, Mary J Blige, Aretha, Sarah McLachlan…just EVERYONE who had a beautiful voice and melody. Most [of my fans are] in Europe. Korean music is much more pop, and my music is not as over-produced, [it's] much more straightforward and sincere.

S: What do you hope for with the release of the album?

HP: I really hope that people will listen to the album and be able to relate to it. I hope the lyrics and melodies resonate with them on an emotional level. And I’m looking forward to doing shows and live performances.

S: Which artists do you aspire to be and is there anyone around at the moment who you really admire?

HP: That’s a tough question. I admire those artists who are making a living pursuing music independently: Amel Larrieux, Tamia, Eric Roberson. They have managed to stay true to who they are creatively, and sustain their lives purely by doing what they love—not having to compromise art for commerce.

S: From your album cover it looks like you definitely have a passion for fashion. If you make it Lady Gaga-style, will you be donning a meat dress?! Who will you most likely be wearing onstage?

HP: Personally, I wouldn’t rock a meat dress…since I’m raw vegan! (Plus, I can’t imagine that it would smell so great after a few hours.) But I get a lot of my stagewear from LaRok and this little boutique in the West Village that makes custom pieces called L’Impasse.

GIRL TALK TIME: Have you heard Heather Park’s music? What women musicians do you listen to? Who’s on your playlist this Monday?