City Chick Magazine

Sherrie Fell

City Chick Sherrie Fell is a multi-talented entertainer and business woman. She is an actress, producer, comedienne, host and a record label VP. She has performed stand up comedy at several well known clubs such as Caroline's, Boston Comedy Club and Gotham Comedy club here in New York City. As an actress, she has appeared in the Wes Anderson film, The Royal Tennenbaums, and in several episodes of HBO's "Sex in the City." Sherrie was able to take a few minutes out of her busy schedule to tell us more about her many careers.

Tell us a little bit about yourself and how did you get into the music business.

I studied acting at The American Academy of Dramatic Arts, then got my degree at NYU. Shortly after that I went into Stand-Up Comedy, performed at Carolines, Gotham, the Duplex and I really enjoyed it but I got a little bored with the scene.

A really influential writer and critic, Linda Yabolonsky came to see one of my shows at Carolines and asked me to host a show at a new 24hr on-demand radio station, called WPS1 MoMA art radio. Linda started off Producing the show: "Funny Isn't It?" and then I ended up Producing, writing and hosting that show and two more; "Inside Music", a show about the Music Industry, where I interviewed people from every facet of the business, from Nona Hendryx to Label Exec. Peter Ganbarg and the third show, "A Tribute To.." paying homage to a different music legend each episode. Each installment is hosted by industry insiders, leading experts, and die-hard fans, bringing a unique personality to each show. Genre's range from 60's dynamo Jim Morrison and latin Legend Celia Cruz to underground icon Harry Nilsson. Hosts discuss the artists history as well as their take on lyrics, the Producers, and contributing songwriters.

Directly before my radio shows hit the web I met Producer, songwriter Bernadette O'Reilly (http://www.breakingrecordsmusic.com/bios/bernadette.htm) who had worked at a Comedy Agency before heading into the music industry. Since I always love a lot on my plate, love to be busy, I began to learn about the Business and creative side of Music. Bernadette was a huge reason I was able to get many of my cool guests for "Inside Music", people love and respect Bernadette cause she knows her shit!

Then things get really twisty. I went to school for Video Editing, wrote a couple of screenplays, and started a record label with Bernadette called Breaking Records (http://www.breakingrecordsmusic.com/index.htm).

It was Bernadette's idea to start that label because of a band called LOURDS (http://www.lourdsmusic.com) that we were shopping for a deal. We had a great deal of interest but none of the offers were very exciting, so Bernadette called up her friend, legendary Producer Ed Stasium (In Living Colour, the Ramones, Biohazard) and flew the band to Colorado where he Produced their self-titled debut album and we released it on Breaking Records. Their single "Astropop" is airing currently on MTV's LOGO, on their new music program "NewNowNext".*

What does your job as VP of Breaking Records Music entail and how long have you been with the company?

I've been with Breaking Records since its inception in 2006. My day to day has changed a lot this year specifically. We are full steam ahead in Licensing to Film and Televison. Again, Bernadette was at the forefront of that idea, her background is in music Publishing and she began to see that revenue was being made primarily in music placement. Together we search for music of all genre's that we can pitch to Commercials, Films and television shows. We've signed over twenty artists to our Licensing Company: Breaking Records Licensing, aligning ourselves with cutting edge music supervisors.

Generally I'm on the look out for music requests and I manage all of our web stuff with the assistance of our Ace web guy Randy Caruso. I'm listening to our catalogue seeing what matches with which request and I'm also editing either for the label or an outside project. I just finished editing some webisodes for the new A&E series "Psychic Kids" and now I'm going to start planning to shoot another video with Sandra Bernhard & The Demolition String Band.

Who are some of the talents that you have worked with?

Interviews include, Nona Hendryx, Essra Mohawk, Eve Nelson. Projects include a music video with Sandra Bernhard and a "making of" Doc. with Chaka Khan.

Are their anyone that you wish to work with in the future?

On the editing, film making side, I'd love to work with Terence Davies and Martin Scorsese.

You also have a multi-media company called 7th street entertainment, how did that get started and what are some of the services that your company offers?

Actually I've incorporated 7th Street into Breaking Records, all the multi-media work I do is now under the same umbrella for now.

What are your favorite types of music?

Totally 70's and 80's pop and r&b, like Fleetwood Mac, Diana Ross, the BeeGees. I also love unique female vocalists like Joan Osbourne, Emily Haines from Metric, Fiona Apple. Primarily pop with a twist, but I'm a sucker for the old stuff and more modern artists that have passion like Pink, Katy Perry, Knarls Barkely, and Radiohead.

What's your take on the music industry today and how it differ from 5 years ago?

Yikes! that's my take. I'm no expert, but when the industry is concerned how many myspace friends a band has then some checks and balances need to be made. My idea was if people were truly your friend on myspace then they would pay 99 cents for your frickin' song! It costs a dollar to do the right thing.

LOL, I totally agree! What do you think is your biggest accomplishment to date?

Wow. I would say earning money creatively!

And a typical day in the life of Sherrie Fell is like?

Coffee, Email, the Gym, the office then you never know!

What inspires you to do what you do?

Excellence! I get inspired by talent, when I hear a great song, or see a fantastic film, my adrenaline blows up! I want to run out at that moment and create---write, paint, shoot, edit!

You've appeared in several films and shows, what were some of your roles and which ones were your favorites?

---my roles were were very on the "fringe" lets say--I'm yet to have a favorite.

What has been your biggest obstacle career-wise?

I would say myself, because I'm a perfectionist. I will still remain a perfectionist but now I will practice it in more of a zen way, allowing to believe in a higher purpose for why some things happen and some things don't.

What advice would you give to anyone who would like to follow in your footsteps?

Find out what you really enjoy and pursue it no matter what anybody says.

For more about Sherrie please visit www.breakingrecordsmusic.com

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