Feature: MADAM WHO? Decodes “Peter Meter”
What was the creative process like for this particular song "Peter Meter?"
The inspiration for the song was an interaction with my grandmother on the way to my freshman year of college. She and I were in the kitchen alone and she said this in her old-school Georgia accent similar to Scarlet O'Hara: "I've been out of the dating pool for some time now, and I just wondered.... Do boys still require that you have sex with them?" I was so shocked I didn't know what to say. Of course, I thought it was hilarious and told anyone who would listen to what she asked me, including my mom.
So when I first came up with the chorus, I knew I had a hit. It was just too catchy and funny to not be, right? Trouble was I couldn't find the verses. As hard as I tried - and I tried hard FOR YEARS - I couldn't settle on anything I came up with because I felt like they had to be as good as the chorus.
Then about 3 years after I caught the songwriting bug again, I joined a local songwriter's workshop. I had almost forgotten about the song, though it kept rising to the surface of my mind every now and then. I played the pre-chorus and the chorus for the leader and she LOVED it, and suggested one small change in the chorus. Originally I had "the more that he gets above you." She said, "I know what you are trying to say... how about 'the more that he gets up on you'?" I was like, "Oh my god, YES!!! That's so perfect!!!"
That sparked something. At home I worked on it and came up with some lyrics, still not happy with my melody. I started doing this thing where if I couldn't come up with a melody I would just speak them in rhythm. I wouldn't call it a rap exactly. I have too much respect for rappers to call it that. Maybe a white girl rap? We need a word for that.
The workshop leader also suggested for the bridge I give instructions on how to "feed the meter." I liked that idea a lot and it just all fell into place.
How did you work with the producer or engineers to bring your vision for "Peter Meter" to life?
Well, actually I'm the producer and engineer! I did everything except the bass. The bass goddess Emily Davies who was in my old band, Audra & the Antidote, came up with it. I give her stuff when I can't come up with anything or can't accomplish it myself through midi. She lives in NYC now, so I sent her a track via email and returned something great, like she always does. I knew I wanted a keyboard lick and that was the first thing I came up with, but I love it.
I did a preliminary mix and sent it to The Animal Farm Music who I started to work with and they mixed the track along with a couple others. They decided to put it out as the third single in my latest self-titled EP. It was going to be first but I didn't think I could have the video ready in time so they switched the first and third releases.
What was your favorite moment in making the music video?
My favorite moment in shooting the video which we did in two sessions in front of a green screen, was working with my daughter. She's 15 and I don't get to do much with her anymore so this was a lot of fun. She did two takes – forward facing and a profile, and killed them both. When I showed her the final edit, she laughed and said it was fire. So that's a big compliment coming from a teen! LOL!
I had the vision of the final product but I was a little worried about finding the right background that would look natural and appropriate. I used AI. The first generator I found came up with what you see. I searched for "funky living room", having something else in mind. When it returned those images, I was like, "Huh. Yeah. Maybe those could work." I went to many other AI image generators to find what I originally had in mind, but ultimately returned to those. My grandmother who inspired the song was kinda wealthy so that was her vibe anyway.
How has studying at Belmont University made an impact on your music career?
I know more about the music industry and how it operates than most artists. However, in the past 10 years, the music industry has been flipped on its head, and musicians and the industry have been scrambling to recalibrate. The music – when it was physical - was the product. Now it's a loss leader of sorts. Now with social media, you can go straight to the fans, but how do you acquire fans to begin with if you are just starting out? There are no gatekeepers anymore, but there are also no more gates. It is really hard to cut through the noise and get attention. I could go on but it doesn't end on a positive note.
What are some of the biggest challenges you have faced as a musician, and how did you overcome them?
At first, when I had a band, the challenge was finding great players who believed in your vision and would play for free. That wasn't all that hard to do in a music and music business school like Belmont University that sat at the top of music row in Music City, USA. However, it was hard to keep a band together. Good players were in multiple bands at a time. You practice, take photos, book gigs, then a member quits and you have to scramble to find a replacement in time for your next gig. It was extremely frustrating. I've overcome this by playing to my original tracks I produce. I can play acoustic sets when required but I'm not a guitar virtuoso – I'm a rhythm player - so I'm not very confident just by myself to be able to communicate my artistic vision of the song. I can do it – but I'd rather play two tracks thereby creating a full band sound.
Also, when I first started, I was too hard on myself when it came to songwriting. I realized I was self-editing through the process, but it made it painful. Now I let the first draft out unedited and go back later to revise. It's so much more enjoyable this way. Also, when I came back to songwriting I did it as a form of therapy. It helped me so much, that I'm planning on creating a non-profit to visit women's shelters to share my story, and be a motivational singer of sorts. However, in those sets, I don't think I'd sing “Peter Meter”... LOL
