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Chantal Kreviazuk chats about the release of her new album, "Colour, Moving and Still" and answers question about her favorite songs, singers and her musical influences.

SonyMusicCanada: Welcome Chantal! Sony Music Canada, Muchmusic.com and Talk City are pleased to welcome you this evening to Chantal Kreviazuk's "Dear Life" chat. Welcome Chantal!

Chantal Kreviazuk: Hey. I'm all yours guys. I'm here to answer all the questions I can, about my life, my view on things, and most important, my point of view on music.

Manolis Varnas: Chantal, where are you originally from? How did you start your career, and at what age?

Chantal Kreviazuk: I'm originally from Winnipeg, MN and now reside in Toronto, Ontario. I don't really feel my career ever started at any age, but that my life in music chose me, because I have been both singing and playing the piano and living my life through music, since I can actually remember.

Loveslife: What were some of your earliest musical influences?

Chantal Kreviazuk: That's a really loaded question, because I have loved so many different artists and groups (and genres of music) but, off the top of my head, I feel that I have been influenced by everything my ears have been exposed to! I've been influenced by everything from The Beatles to Neil Young to Journey to YES to Supertramp. And list could go on forever, and ever. Amen!

Chantelly: Hey Chantal do you feel that your new album "Colour, Moving and Still" is more personal than "Under These Rocks and Stones?"

Chantal Kreviazuk: I feel that I was in a better place musically, as well as in my maturity, so it was easier to express myself, and to pinpoint what I wanted to express. So perhaps this album seems more personal, but really it is just a reflection of my personal growth.

Soon To Be Nothing: What's your dream vacation?

Chantal Kreviazuk:My dream vacation is to be at home, with no phone, no TV, and some great ambiance music in the background, some candles, and some quiet for an indefinite amount of time.

Superstar: "Until We Die" is one of the most moving songs I've ever heard, is it hard to perform?

Chantal Kreviazuk: Yes! It is very hard to perform. I cry almost every single time. I almost have to distance myself from it, to get through.

Manolis Varnas: Chantal, do you check your web site often and do you read the fan massages that people sent you?

Chantal Kreviazuk: Absolutely! It humbles me every time.

Heather: Thank you for writing such inspiring lyrics; they touch my soul in so many ways! You're wonderfully talented. I was wondering, many of your songs on both albums are very melancholy, very disillusioned. What has affected you so deeply that you write this way?

Chantal Kreviazuk: Life in general has such an impact on me I am constantly overwhelmed. I don't know how one could walk through life so oblivious to its wonders and constant intensity. This is intensified to me by the mirror fact that life could end at any moment. With this perspective in mind, how can one not be affected so deeply by everything?

Believer Boy: Hi! "Dear Life" seems like the most expensive video you've ever made, and the final result is breathtaking. What is your favourite video so far during your career? I love "Believer" and "Dear Life" the most.

Chantal Kreviazuk: Definitely "Dear Life" is my favourite video to date (to answer your question, and it is not the most expensive video I've made AT ALL!) The reason I love the "Dear Life" video so much, is because of its direction. The Director was pretty much a novice at directing music videos. I found him to be very conscientious and passionate about his work for this very reason. He made to me a very brilliant and expensive looking video; but his "budget" was his own creativity. I have the utmost respect for that kind of pride. In fact, that is something I have grown to admire in people. People, who no matter what they do, take a lot of pride in their work, that's a strong characteristic of mine.

Shane: Hey Chantal, big fan, 18-year-old male from Toronto. I just saw your new video "Dear Life" and it was great. Was that filmed in Toronto? I thought I recognized the BCE place.

Chantal Kreviazuk: Yes it is BCE place. It was filmed in Toronto. And I absolutely love filming music videos in Canada, especially in my hometown.

Paul Gomez: How do you choose what songs to cover, like Neil Young's "Old Man?" I really like that one (grin).

Chantal Kreviazuk: I am a huge Neil Young fan. I love that song in particular. By coincidence, I'm potentially going to sing it on an upcoming Neil Young compilation album. Playing it live during my tour was a good opportunity to start feeling it out for recording.

Meredith: Is there one song that you always play and why?

Chantal Kreviazuk: When I'm alone at home, two songs that always seem to come back to me are Bonnie Raitt's "I Can't Make You Love Me" and Carole King's "Natural Woman." I don't know why that is, but they provide a comfort zone for me when I sit down at the piano.

Katrin: Hey Chantal! My friend interviewed you at Aurora High; her name was Tara. How important is motivating young teens with self-esteem to you?

Chantal Kreviazuk: Motivating anybody to gain self-esteem is very important to me, in any walk of life. However, it would be nice to discover a sense of self-confidence and self-worth, at a younger age to prepare us for our adult lives. And so, it's really cool to get to give teens some tips I have learned, which I wish I had when I was a teenager.

Believer Boy: Hi Chantal! I just caught the video for "Dear Life" on Much Music, and it was AMAZING. What other singles are you planning to release from "Colour, Moving And Still?" I really love "Far Away" the most. I love you Chantal!

Chantal Kreviazuk: Thanks for your support on the video! Although it hasn't been etched in stone as of yet my wish list would be the following - "Souls," "Far Away" (just for you and my brother, Believer Boy), and "M." And if, for some reason my, record label wanted to put another song out, "Until We Die" (without a video). Is that ok, Rick C.?

DTC: What was your favourite song to write?

Chantal Kreviazuk: "Until We Die" was my favourite writing experience on this album for many reasons. First, I feel such a passion about the topic for obvious reasons. I love the song's evolution from it pouring out of me in my own apartment in mere minutes, until its completion in the studio (which was all so natural and such a joy.) Its sincerity and depth, is reaffirmed to me every time I play it live. And ultimately, the song simply feels like it existed and it was simply channeled through me.

Rick: Rick Campanelli wants to know if Chantal did all her own stunts in the new video--the flips and stuff.

Chantal Kreviazuk: Doesn't Rick know that on the side I am an Olympic gold medallist in floor gymnastics; and that I have been dying to find a video treatment that would accommodate my real calling? (grin)

Edward: I know you're a huge Sinead O'Connor fan. Me also. I love her music. Which album would you say has influenced you most in terms of lyrics, for example? "TLATC," "Gospel Oak?"

Chantal Kreviazuk: "I Do Not Want What I Have Not Got" and "Gospel Oak" have definitely had such an impact on me. The thing that I love so much about all of Sinead O'Connor's work, is that besides showcasing her supernatural vocal style, she does not allow meaningless, frivolous, songs to show up on her albums, even if she did not write it all by herself. She is very selective and constantly upholds her integrity. I don't know about her personal life.

Chris: What is your greatest personal flaw? For example, I'm very paranoid about forgetting to lock the door, etc.

Chantal Kreviazuk: There are so many. Where do I begin? I'm too vain. I'm too sensitive. I'm too talkative, and way to emotional. But, beyond all those character flaws (that I probably won't be able to change in a lifetime,) I eat too way too much chocolate, and I'm too hard on myself. Those I'm thinking maybe I can change.

Junnie: Chantal, what's your view on youth violence? Do you think TV, movies, music play a big role?

Chantal Kreviazuk: Absolutely! I think that every word spoken, and every ounce of energy put out into the world, in any form, be it music, movies, videos, or what we say to each other, what parents say to children, etc., etc., has more of an impact than we can even conceive. I think that if we had this at the forefront of our minds all of the time, the world would be a different place. Perhaps, we do not think enough of ourselves as individuals to believe that all of our actions and reactions are of such great importance. Maybe, if we were, in fact, more confident in ourselves as individuals, we would realize that no matter who we are (a celebrity or a baby sitter) everything we expel, every moment, is of great importance in this universe.

Denied: Are you currently learning to play any other musical instruments? How is it going with the guitar?

Chantal Kreviazuk: My life is very busy, there are many things I'd love to learn how to do, or do better. I would love to not only know how to play the guitar better, but I'd like to learn the violin and cello. I'd also like to improve on my French, learn a couple of more languages, and learn to paint.

Trisha: Hi Chantal. I think "Souls" is the most amazing song! When I saw you in Toronto you sang it so beautifully. What inspired you to write that song?

Chantal Kreviazuk: The writing of "Souls" is something that I can't completely explain. Its melodies were recurring through out the touring of my last record. And again, it is one of those situations where it feels as though someone else pressed PLAY and it came out of me! As for its topic, it acknowledges my feeling that the soul sometimes does feel so fleeting, and yet, in the same breath, holds such a great importance. How is this possible? I do not know, but I had to write a song about it.

Tina: Do you ever doubt your talent? I know that it is easy to get discouraged, but I was wondering how you bounce back and prove yourself and others wrong.

Chantal Kreviazuk: I am always doubting myself and questioning my potential. It's a sort of one step forward, two steps back, work in progress, kind of thing. But every time, another song seems to come out of me, so unexplainably, I realize that there will always be another song.

Chantelly: How do you feel about being nominated this year at the Junos?

Chantal Kreviazuk: While it is an honour to be nominated, and to be in the company of others I respect so much, I don't know how much importance I place on the award system. I think that any musical effort made by anyone is an outlet, and a source of expression, and mine is no more important than anyone else's. So, I am a bit torn on the subject. But I promise to be there, with bells on!

Angel: Can you tell us a bit about the song "Eve?"

Chantal Kreviazuk: "Eve" was inspired by a documentary that my husband and I watched on the Women's Television Network. A little girl, afflicted with AIDS, proved to be one of the bravest people we have ever seen portrayed in any form. Rather than fading away into her imminent death, she fought hard and used her disease as a source of strength, inspiration, and education for others, sick and well. She left on this earth such a great gift to so many. And it inspired me so much that I had to write about it.

Trueman: Music inspires emotions in people just as pictures inspire imagery. What is your opinion of rage music and rap that appeals mostly to people's violent emotions? Do you still consider that an art form?

Chantal Kreviazuk: Absolutely! Every person has a right to express their emotions, however they seem fit as long as it is not detrimental to anyone else. Of course that makes for some shades of gray when considering what is potentially harmful. However, for me personally, if there is a funky bass line and some cool beats, chances are it is great for the soul, and I'll end up digging it anyway.

Kate: You seem to be an advocate for children organizations and things like eating disorders, are these issues that really affect you or you feel strongly for?

Chantal Kreviazuk: I feel that children like animals are so innocent. They only become what they learn. Therefore, if I can play, even a small role in positively influencing their well being, I am going to take the opportunity.

Leslaw: You mentioned a homeless person when introducing one of your songs, what do you think of the new anti squeegee and panhandling law?

Chantal Kreviazuk: That is a very good question. How about those shades of gray? While I do feel that people are better off at least servicing others with even a small task, to earn a living, the fact is that even I feel a little overwhelmed and scared when I am at a stop light and suddenly a stranger reaches over my car windshield. I also have questioned "shadiness" of some of the characters on the corners (I'm not an advocate of drug and alcohol abuse) and I have wondered where their earnings are going. I would not want to contribute to anyone's addictions, and I usually have windshield washer fluid. If you are a healthy individual, who is not physically challenged, I would encourage you to not limit yourself and to seek after more legitimate (and warmer) forms of employment.

SonyMusicCanada: Well, it looks like we are out of time for tonight. Do you have any parting words to our audience?

Chantal Kreviazuk: An hour doesn't seem like long enough, but I am honoured that you all were interested in my input on this eclectic bunch of topics this evening. I hope we can do it again sometime. I'll see you at my Web cast, next Thursday, February 24th at www.chantalkreviazuk.com. Thanks a lot everyone, take good care of each other. God bless! SonyMusicCanada: Thanks for being such a great audience! And, a very special 'Thank You' to our guest Chantal Kreviazuk! For more information, please go to www.chantalkreviazuk.com. A production of Talk City Inc. Copyright 2000 All Rights Reserved.