Energy Whores started in a closet of a New York City apartment. That is the only place Carrie's recording studio could fit. Now it's in a basement in Ghent, New York. Carrie Schoenfeld is the singer/songwriter and Attilio Valenti, who is originally from Sicily, Italy plays all the guitars. Carrie plays keyboards and everything else. Their sound is provocative and unique with music shifting between genres sometimes within one song. Aside from Carrie's musical prowess, the gifted individual is highly active in the film industry as a producer, screenwriter and filmmaker. She directed the 2016 sci-fi comedy film Asockalypse. The fun feature film revolves around stoners trying to save the world from sock stealing aliens.
By Kamil Bobin
Discovered via Musosoup
Hello Energy Whores. What first got you into music?
When I was three my mother gave me a toy piano which I spent hours a day playing. After years of classical piano lessons and attending a music college at the age of 9 for 4 years I decided I liked rock music better and bought an electric guitar. As a 13-year-old, Beethoven wasn’t cool.
What do you think your role is in this world?
First and most importantly, to love and care for people. Secondly, I have experienced many things in my life and have stories to share. Hopefully these will energize, enlighten and sooth the souls of those listening to my music.
Your latest track is 'Dark Money'. Can you share with us the background of its creation and did any unusual things happen during its creation?
What we’ve learned from history; politicians have always been out for themselves and a public servant who deeply cares about their community is hard to find. Dark money simply explained, “is political spending meant to influence the decision of a voter, where the donor is not disclosed, and the source of the money is unknown”. So, to answer your question, nothing unusual happened while I was creating this song, I just had to say something about the status quo.
What’s your scariest experience?
Falling 90 feet off a cliff while skiing.
How do you spend your time?
Writing music, listening to music, creating cover art, writing screen plays, (one became a movie called ASOCKALYPSE) It was on Amazon Prime for 6 years. Besides all that stuff I love to cook and spend time with my family and friends.
What are you most proud of?
My children. They are truly amazing.
If you could go open a show for any artist who would it be?
Radiohead
What are you doing to ensure you continue to grow and develop as an artist?
These insights are essential to me as a creator and have always helped me flourish. There is no box. Never be afraid to take the road less travelled. Be uncompromisingly true to your music and use any genre needed to support the emotion and message of the lyrics. Being different and cutting edge is not always popular but necessary. Always keep an opened mind and listen to constructive criticism. Share ideas with other artists. Support other musicians because creating music is magical.
Do you think that technology is improving lives?
I believe we can choose to use the internet and social media to enlighten us using our collective knowledge to bring people together, or we can use it to decimate each other and spread hate. At present, we are standing at a fork in the road. Are we insightful enough to make a justifiably ethical choice as to which path we take? I’m not qualified to answer this question but cautiously hope for a bright future.
What superpower would you have and why?
I would have beautiful fairy wings which would fly me anywhere in the world people hated each other. I would sprinkle them with pixie dust and remove the hate. I believe this would be a 24 /7 job. I don’t think I have to explain why.