MUEN: HI AMY! FIRST OF ALL, WHAT IS THE LATEST? THE LAST WE HEARD YOU HAD JUST POSTED A GUITAR INSTRUMENTAL AT YOUR MYSPACE CALLED "NO NAME".. VERY PROGRESSIVE WORK THERE!! IS THIS SOMETHING NEW?

AMY SCHUGAR: Hello and Hope all is well. There are some new songs that I have been working on for sure. We are hoping to get a little studio time but some other things may have come up at this time.

MUEN: ARE YOU ORIGINALLY FROM THE SAN FRANCISCO AREA? AND IN YOUR VIEW, HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE MUSIC SCENE THERE TODAY?

AMY SCHUGAR: I am originally from Arizona. Here there are so very many tribute bands it is very very difficult for original bands here. Great musicians are trapped and locked in cover bands and tribute bands and it is a money issue.

MUEN: YOUR LAST ALBUM ENTITLED " UNDER CONSTRUCTION " WAS RECORDED WITH MICHAEL SCHENKER (Scorpions / UFO)! HOW DID YOU FIRST MEET SCHENKER, AND HOW WAS THAT EXPERIENCE WORKING WITH SUCH A LEGENDARY GUITARIST?

AMY SCHUGAR: I met Michael thru Eric Johnson. Michael is a great guy and a true believer in my talents, and boy I miss working with him. Not to say we won't sometime in the future... But working with Michael really really spoiled me. Since then you notice I am not doing much. I cannot find the caliber of musicians that understand me like he did, and everything else is pale in comparison, and often times I feel like I am stepping backwards instead of forwards, and this is not good for me. I need to work with Musicians that are way way above in order for me to feel creative and inspired, and if the talent isn't there to stop and start and try to help someone reach instantly a certain level that isn't there for them right away (talent wise or creative wise), it isn't fair to me or the other person, and frustrations can develop. It is very very difficult for me to find above average musicians that can sing and I end up having to give many vocal lessons and this slows things down also. I am not faulting anyone at all, it is just another reason why I am not out playing. Many of my songs call for 3 part harmonies and especially for the "big" sounding chorus'. I may not be able to achieve my dreams and goals musically and am beginning to accept that. I cannot however play out, not feeling good about how my music should be played, and if it is not right, I will stay home instead. I do not have at this point, tons of money to hire either. So, not sure what I will end up doing.

MUEN: ON THE SONG "LOVE AND DANGER" ... I REMEMBER THAT SONG, BUT CAN'T REMEMBER WHERE I HEARD IT BEFORE! DID THAT SONG EVER GET AIR-PLAY - AND IF SO, HOW WELL DID IT DO?

AMY SCHUGAR: I have heard it has had much air play in LA

MUEN: WHEN AND WHY DID YOU LEAVE "MAIDEN AMERICA?" THAT BAND HAD A FAIRLY BIG FOLLOWING IN THE L.A. CLUB CIRCUIT YEARS AGO...

AMY SCHUGAR: I don't remember how I even left that band, it was so long ago. I was just not that into it and did not want to continue. Great band, but just not into it for me. It is hard to remember how and what circumstances there were at the time.

MUEN: DO YOU KNOW WHAT THE OTHER MEMBERS OF THAT BAND ARE DOING NOW?

AMY SCHUGAR: Not sure? You should see about connecting with them! Are they still even alive?

MUEN: WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE MUSIC INDUSTRY TODAY? AND HOW MUCH TIME AND EFFORT DO YOU ACTUALLY PUT INTO MYSPACE WITH REGARDS TO THE MUSIC?

AMY SCHUGAR: Mmm.. There is still a music industry? Where do I find it? Do they have a myspace page? I am not sure I am able to comment and I am confused about this "industry" and the whole thing to be honest. I quit trying to keep up and do not know even what sells anymore or not. I just play what feels good to me and if people listen, that is great!

MUEN: OK WHAT'S NEXT FOR AMY SCHUGAR? ARE YOU CURRENTLY WRITING ANY NEW SONGS? AND ARE THERE ANY PLANS FOR ANOTHER ALBUM?

AMY SCHUGAR: There are always plans for everything in my world. We may have a possible tour booked for September thru October and we are working on details and budget. But then a meteor could land on the house also. But I will keep you posted.

MUEN: WHO'S YOUR MANAGER? AND WHAT OTHER ARTISTS, IF ANY, DOES HE OR SHE MANAGE?

AMY SCHUGAR: Brad Stewart. He also manages and works with Stef Burns, From Huey Lewis and the News, Adrian Legg, Peppino D' Augustino and 10 Years After - "10 Years Later" (kidding). MUEN: IS AMY SCHUGAR YOUR REAL NAME?

AMY SCHUGAR: I am using my artist name that my Mom gave me: Amy Schugar

MUEN: I READ THAT YOU BEGAN GUITAR ON YOUR SISTER'S FENDER ACOUSTIC... SO WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MAKE OF GUITAR THESE DAYS?

AMY SCHUGAR: IBanez/Fender/Daisy Rock/ Gibson

MUEN: THAT WILL BE GREAT IF YOU CAN GET A TOUR GOING! WHAT WERE SOME OF YOUR BEST LIVE EXPERIENCES FROM THE PAST?

AMY SCHUGAR: Lets not get excited about the tour yet. In my world, there is always something that often times blocks my movements forward, but then, 10 steps forward will happen then 20 back- so lets see what the future brings. I keep trying. Best live experience was the Maiden America Singer coming out from the back and here we are playing.. he comes out wearing an apparatus that he rests on his shoulders that had two additional heads that looked exactly like him! Wholly Catfish I did not know whether to cry for himself or myself or if this was good or bad, but it was the most shocking thing and goofy I have ever seen. It was almost cool? I may have left after that??

MUEN: WHEN, AND WHAT SONG IS THE LAST YOU'VE WRITTEN?

AMY SCHUGAR: About a week ago. No title yet.

MUEN: WHAT SORT OF THINGS INSPIRE YOU WITH LYRICS?

AMY SCHUGAR: Trees, my pets, other peoples experiences besides mine or their personalities or Job situations... anything really-

MUEN: WHAT IS YOUR BEST ADVISE FOR MUSICIANS JUST STARTING OUT, WHO HAVE LOTS OF POTENTIAL?

AMY SCHUGAR: Write 15 or more of your best songs, copyright, read read and read about the "industry" and the business of it, and try to shop for a decent agent and read about that as well, and never quit, but try to always keep in touch with other things in life that you love doing to keep your spirits happy and healthy in case you are not able to play music and to remember always that playing the "music business card" is like buying lottery tickets - except the investment both financially and emotionally can be pretty heavy. Try to give it your best, then you can rest in comfort knowing you did. Also try to get spellcheck for the computer when emailing people. So often I cannot even read what people are trying to say? I have to double check my spelling and make sure punctuation is correct. You really do not want to come off as retarded or a kid, and it is in the best interest to appear somewhat professional via emails. And be sure to tell people: "Best and thank you for your time" to everyone, even if it is someone close to you-(kidding)

Note: Amy Schugar Tour was confirmed after this interview

Interview by G. Cataline