FeFe Dobson: On the Brink

18-year-old Canadian-born pop/rocker FeFe Dobson put an earlier chance at a recording career on the scrap pile to refine and toughen-up her sound. She plays piano and is getting proficient on guitar in prep for the launch of her album this December. Singles "Take Me Away" and "Bye Bye Boyfriend" are getting great play. They're driving, raging rock tunes that will make sure this young singer doesn't get labeled a bubblegum "pop diva". When we spoke with FeFe recently, she was at home in Toronto. The young singer was very open with us about career goals, using music as therapy, her musical roots, how she feels about the music download issue and was happy to admit that she still listens to 'N-Sync and would love to collaborate on a song with Paul McCartney.

TeenMusic: You did something few "would-be" music stars would do. You held back when a record deal was on the horizon, scrapped your first work and started all over. How did that come about?

Fefe: I was like 16 and a record company in Canada really liked me and wanted to work with me to the point where they could someday sign me but our visions were completely different. Musically, I wanted to go somewhere else and they didn't want me to go there.

TeenMusic: I would certainly describe you as more of a rock singer than a pop queen. Is that your intention?

Fefe: I love all kinds of music from pop to hard rock really. I don't really want to classify myself because to me my music is rock but it has pop hooks. I want to just be a very successful artist whether it's with pop or rock. It really doesn't bug me.

TeenMusic: The music industry is moving away from bubblegum, manufactured pop and turning to singer/songwriters. Any comments on that trend?

Fefe: I've been waiting for it. I've definitely been waiting for music to turn around.

TeenMusic: Can you describe how your mom and sister's different tastes in music influenced you as a kid?

Fefe: My mom was a flash dance queen. She was very into Donna Summer and Jody Watley. I was not sure if it was cool or not. Then, in my sister's room, she was listening to Guns and Roses and Nirvana. At the time, you don't really know who those groups are but you are like a sponge and you suck it all in. Now, I have all those records.

TeenMusic: You seem to have a special connection to Kurt Cobain. Explain?

Fefe: I think he really was the voice of a generation. Too bad it wasn't my generation but it was my sister's. She's 26 now. It effected me in a way because I wanted to be a part of it and understand it. His music was just so sincere and you definitely feel that genius. A lot like with John Lennon.

TeenMusic: Do most of your songs come from personal pain? Which song on your album is your most personal and why?

Fefe: I think "Unforgiven" is probably my most personal song. It's about my father not being around. I'm totally opening myself up to expressing my childhood. It's pretty intense.

TeenMusic: Is there anything too personal for you to write about?

Fefe: I think as time goes on I'll probably just express everything. At some point everyone will know my entire story. I find that if I don't I'll be locked up with it. Musically and lyrically I can go somewhere and it doesn't even have to say 'I did this or that'. I can make up a name and say 'Jane did this' but it could relate to me. It's very therapeutic.

TeenMusic: How is your guitar playing coming? Are you about ready to play on stage?

Fefe: Right now in my career I haven't played guitar on stage but I'm at home right now and I have three guitars set up and I practice every day and learn Nirvana and Beatles songs. I'm working hard and trying to improve.

TeenMusic: Where did you grow up?

Fefe: Scarboro which is Toronto now.

TeenMusic: Does "Take Me Away" have anything to do with wanting to get away from home?

Fefe: I always wanted to get out of Scarboro. No, but I was really inspired by Sid and Nancy and Yoko Ono and John Lennon. I've been in that experience. I could look at those couples and understand the need of wanting to be with someone but other people don't understand. I lot of people can relate to people not being able to be together because of religion, race, age, even if the parents don't like the boy or the girl.

TeenMusic: How were you first discovered or how did you get your first break?

Fefe: I met my co-writer Jay Levine in Toronto and that's when I knew I wanted to work with him and he understood me musically. That was almost two years ago. I did showcases and was signed by Island Def Jam. They flew down in their private jet at 11:00 in the morning and they're like 'this is our girl'! I've only been signed by them for seven months.

TeenMusic: Who gave you the most important advice in your life and what was it?

Fefe: I've probably gained by my own advice. Everybody gives you advice and some people say 'don't trust anyone' and that's kind of scary. People in my life haven't really given me advice. My family really doesn't understand where I'm embarking. Advice from me would be just remember that sometimes people leave you but just remember that you have yourself.

TeenMusic: What is your best physical feature and what do you consider your worst?

Fefe: I'm still insecure. My best feature would probably be my smile I guess. What needs work? My nose could be smaller.

TeenMusic: If you had to burn a CD for a road trip, what would be on it?

Fefe: Probably a collection of The Beatles and I would probably put on the Kill Bill soundtrack and possibly The Vines and Nirvana.

TeenMusic: How old were you when you wrote your first song and what was it about?

Fefe: I was probably about 12 but I wrote a bunch of little poetry things before that like [little girl voice] 'I luv you'. When I heard Silverchair's album Neon Ballroom, where Daniel Johns is talking about his anorexia, that was the first time I went to a different place writing and really tried to write what I was feeling, life and inner problems rather than just boys. I wrote these lyrics and sent them to Silverchair like they're gonna set music to it. I was such a geek.

TeenMusic: Who have you seen in concert recently?

Fefe: The last concert I saw was the All American Rejects up in Toronto and they were really great.

TeenMusic: What would you be doing if not singing?

Fefe: I would want to be in the entertainment industry. I would probably want to get into film and be an actress.

TeenMusic: How do you handle stress and pressure in your life? So many teens feel enormous stress.

Fefe: The best way for me to handle my stress is to put on music. If I feel like a boy is hurting me or I'm breaking up with someone, I'm not afraid to put on an 'N Sync song. I want to be free and dance and have fun. I'm not anti-pop at all. I used to be at every single 'N-Sync concert. That's the best way. Light a candle, turn the lights down, turn on the music and dance!

TeenMusic: Your singles are getting lots of play on the internet. How do you feel about fans downloading from the net?

Fefe: It's hard if people are only downloading music. I think they are downloading it because they really don't understand. Like some kids work hard for four dollars and forty-five cents an hour. Why spent that on someone they've never heard of. They want to go on the net and hear it and if they like it, go and buy the album. It's a scary thing but if an album is a great album, you'll still have people out there buying it at a store.

TeenMusic: Is there a single message to your music?

Fefe: Each song stands out differently but I guess I'm trying to get across that every person goes through the same things. With my songs I can open things up and let people know there is still prejudice in school, still problems. Let's get together and talk about it.

TeenMusic: Weirdest object you've ever written music or lyrics down on?

Fefe: I try to find paper but if not, I'll just record it on my cellphone.

TeenMusic: Who are you dying to do a duet with?

Fefe: Ooooo, musically, I'd love to collaborate with Paul McCartney. I'd love to make magic with him. Romantically, I'd love to work with Craig Nichols from The Vines. He's a cutie-patootie!

TeenMusic: What is in your CD player right now?

Fefe: Two things. The Kill Bill soundtrack. In my discman, I'm listening to John Lennon's solo album.

TeenMusic: What is your weirdest fan encounter so far?

Fefe: When I went to do an industry show in New York at the club Piano there was this teenaged boy standing there and I said 'hi' and he's like 'oh my God, you're Fefe Dobson'. He was shaking. I felt kind of bad. He pulled out his discman and said "I'm listening to you right now'. He said he made a website for me. I signed an autograph for him. I was very flattered.

TeenMusic: What is your idea of an ideal date? Not the person but what to do on a date?

Fefe: Probably something very relaxing. I'm not a big party girl. If I were in a warm place right now, I'd like to go to a beach and relax and have orange juice but in Toronto where it's cool right now I'd go to his place or mine and just watch a movie and eat popcorn.

TeenMusic: Any interest is making films or t.v. series?

Fefe: Yes but I don't want to sing. I'd like an independent film, something really intense, or like The Color Purple where you walk out of the theater going 'I can't believe she just did that'. I went to a music theater school and all we did for first semester was act and sing. I've been in a lot of plays.

TeenMusic: What is the biggest difference between the Canadian music scene and the U.S.?

Fefe: On the Canadian scene, if you are only signed to a Canadian label there's a big difference with money. Musically, the artists can't get to the States. There's a big rock scene here and a big underground hip hop scene.

TeenMusic: What do you do really well and what pretty badly?

Fefe: I'm very good at drawing. I'm a good artist. I'm really bad at cooking.

TeenMusic: What is coming up next for you?

Fefe: Next is touring and promoting my album, doing radio shows in the States and Canada. I'd love fans to keep going on my site, check out where I'm going to be and getting ready for the record release in December.

Visit FeFe's website.

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Lynn Barker is a Hollywood-based entertainment journalist and produced screenwriter.