Diane Birch: Electric Pianos and Retro Soul

Main influences: I grew up in church so I was massively influenced by old church hymns. My parents also played classical and opera in the house 24/7, so that was on my brain all the time. Though my musical tastes are very diverse, I’m a big fan of classic songwriting, and my record has been inspired by artists such as Burt Bacharach, Brian Wilson, Carole King, the Beatles, and Elton John.

Musical background: I started playing classical piano at age seven with the Suzuki method. I started composing my own piano music in my early teens. One day I walked into a restaurant with a piano and asked why no one was playing it. They hired me for the summer to play during lunch hour. That was the beginning of my days playing hotels, restaurants, bars, and weddings. It was only after I had moved to Los Angeles years later that I realized I could sing and write pop tunes also!

Newest project: My debut album Bible Belt was released June 2nd.

Practice regimen: I do vocal exercises all the time and play the keys whenever I get the urge. I used to do Hanon exercises a lot when I studied classical, and I still do from time to time for fingering fluidity.

Current keyboard rig: I have a Wurlitzer 200A at home and I take a beautiful Fender Rhodes on the road with me.

Best gig experience: Prince saw me playing at the Beverly Hills Hotel. One day I got this call from someone he worked with saying that he would like to invite me over to play. That same day, I went over to his house and ended up playing my songs for him as well as Larry Graham and others! We then had a little jam session together. Pretty much an insane experience.

Keys to distinctive sound: I’m writing songs about my own life. Because my influences have been so diverse and my experiences so random, my story is pretty specific to me, though I like to write songs that have many layers people can identify with personally. In regards to the piano, since it’s my first instrument even before singing, it is a very dominant part of my sound.

Musical guilty pleasure: T-Pain.

Words of wisdom: Don’t try to replicate others. Find your own sound.