MacFans.com "Pro Mac Fan" Feature
July 24, 2002
Real Name: Emilie Autumn
Personal Web Site: www.emilieautumn.com
Marital Status(kids?): Never have, never will.
Occupation: Mac Musician
Professional Summary: I started out a classical violinist at age 4. I went on to compose, conduct, and perform on international podiums before discovering my voice in my late teens. I began to write and produce alternative rock music (whatever that really means) and started my own label, Traitor Records (www.traitorrecords.com), which symbolizes my complete disassociation with every organization I have ever been a part of. I fell in love with Apple computers, which enabled me to become a graphic and web designer alongside my career as a Mac musician. I am now recording and releasing both classical and rock albums while running my label, and trying to make the world more artist-friendly.
Latest Project: "Enchant" full-length album, recorded entirely on Macs.
Career Goal: I would like to help make the world an easier place for artistry and creativity to thrive...to set a precedent that says you CAN be free and successful, independent and respected, artist and label-head, electronic and acoustic, classical and rock, magical and real, smart and beautiful, strong and female.
Personal Hero: Queen Elizabeth I
Personal Motto, Quote or Philosophy: The readiness is all...
Greatest Ambition or Lifetime Goal: To make everyone use Macs, drink tea, and believe in faeries.
My Passions Are: Music, music, music, music, tea, music, Shakespeare, music, Apple computers, music, music, and sometimes, music.
Biggest Thrill: Playing the "Star Spangled Banner" on my electric violin for hundreds of high school kids a week after 9/11/01.
Strangest Experience: Having to dress up like a 12-year-old boy in order to be a violin playing body double for a horror movie. I discovered that suspenders are not cool.
Shameless Plug: Actually, this plug isn't for me directly, though I would benefit in the long run: SUPPORT INTERNET RADIO!!! iTunes hooks you up with a plethora of great online stations, and there are thousands more just waiting to be discovered, that is, unless they are shut down for good. Listen to more variety, more quality, and more NEW music. Oh, and come visit me at www.emilieautumn.com.
Magazines: MacAddict Magazine, MacFormat Magazine, Horse Illustrated.
Books: The Complete Shakespeare, Queen Margot by Dumas, Remembrances Of Things Past by Proust, Mac OS X: The Missing Manual by Pogue, Webster's Dictionary, The Faerie Queene by Spenser, The Natural Superiority of Women by Montagu.
Web Sites: apple.com, MacMinute.com, sex-pistols.net, horseclick.com, marthastewart.com, vegan.com, peta.com, amnesty-usa.org/women, Barnum's Animal Crackers at www.oreo.com/Barnums/default.htm, and of course, MacFans.com.
Software: Cubase, ProTools, Final Cut Pro, iTunes, iMovie, Quicktime, Dreamweaver, Photoshop, Mozilla, MediaCleaner.
Music or Band: The Smiths, Annie Lennox, Eurythmics, Sting, Etta James, Fabio Biondi, Nigel Kennedy, Sex Pistols.
Movie/Films: Elizabeth: The Virgin Queen, Hamlet (Branagh version), Much Ado About Nothing (Branagh version), Labyrinth, Rebecca (Olivier, oh yeah).
TV Shows: I really liked the X-Files before it sucked. Now I don't have much time to watch TV though I often fall asleep in front of the History Channel.
Joke(s): new error messages currently under consideration for the new Windows XP operating system...
1 Smash forehead on keyboard to continue.
2 Press any key to continue or any other key to quit.
3 BREAKFAST.SYS halted... Cereal port not responding.
4 Close your eyes and press escape three times.
5 File not found. Should I fake it? (Y/N)
6 Runtime Error 6D at 417A:32CF: Incompetent User.
7 Enter any 11-digit prime number to continue.
8 Bad command or file name! Go stand in the corner.
9 Windows message: "Error saving file! Format drive now? (Y/Y)"
10 Windows VirusScan 1.0 - "Windows found: Remove it? (Y/N)"
What was your first Mac?
The first Mac I was ever introduced to was a Tangerine iMac. I was then loaned a PowerBook, and finally bought my own iBook, "Puppy."
What is your current Mac set-up?
I use "Puppy," the iBook to sequence electronics live on stage during my performances. I also do some recording and film editing with him, using Final Cut Pro. At my home studio, I record with Cubase and ProTools on G4s.
How did you personally get into using a Macintosh?
When I was recording one of my albums, I was working with ProTools setup on a G4 just because that's what the studio had. Then, I began using Macs to produce my album artwork via Photoshop, and I realized that I had been using the wrong tools up until that point; the Mac is the ultimate machine for the creative professional.
Why did you choose a Mac over Windows?
The first time I sat down to a Mac, I felt that I was working in cooperation with a machine and an operating system to produce my desired result, music. That is something I have never experienced in all my years of working with PCs and Windows. I had learned to debug a computer, but never to enjoy one.
How has using the Macintosh computer changed your life?
Macs have completely enabled me to expand creatively in ways I would never have otherwise. For example, due to my use of Macs, I am able to incorporate a good amount of electronics into my live stage show without giving up the freedom to be spontaneous. I am able to record at home in a comfortable (and inexpensive) environment. I can produce professional quality graphics and websites myself, rather than soliciting a company to do it for me. I can even create and produce music video and other film utilizing Apple-made programs like Final Cut Pro. Without Macs, I would still be a musician and an artist, but the road would be infinitely more difficult.
If there was a time in your life that you really had to Think Different, what was the situation and what did you do?
When I was performing professionally as a classical violinist, it was my job to care what everyone around me thought - teachers, conductors, critics, and other musicians. There came a point where I had to decide whether to sacrifice my free spirit or my approval within the industry, and I chose the latter. After getting over the initial shock, I got used to being different and learned that the only respect that matters is the respect I give myself. I am now enjoying the benefits of being creative, free and unpredictable, and I know that I not only made the right choice, I made the only choice.
If you became Apple CEO, what would you change first?
Nothing. I think Apple is right on target with its goal to gain customers gradually, elegantly, and honestly.