— By Shaheem Reid
Breaking into the music industry hasn't been a matter of "if" for Fefe Dobson — she always knew it was just a matter of time. People have been telling her she could sing before she could even talk.
"I've been discovered so many times by different people," Dobson said. "It's quite funny. When I was born, my mom says when I came out of her womb, I didn't cry — I sang. I've been discovered when I was in kindergarten and it was like, 'You've got a great voice, get on the stage.' "
Fefe, who was born 18 years ago in Scarborough, Ontario, but grew up in Toronto, was finally "discovered" by the right people about seven months ago when Island Def Jam heads Lyor Cohen and Jeff Fenster came to her hometown and watched her audition. Oddly enough, she wooed them on a misunderstanding.
"It was the first song I started with, called 'Stupid Little Love Song,' " Dobson remembered. "They thought I said 'Stupid Little Buzzsaw.' They were like, 'This is genius!' So I was basically signed on the wrong lyrics."
It was more than just the misunderstood words that got Fefe her deal. Dobson's cute-as-a-button looks, her edgy, rock-star rowdiness, and her rambunctious voice obviously had a little to do with her allure.
"I go up and I'm singing like 30 seconds and I remember Lyor Cohen and Jeff jumping up and saying, 'This is the epitome of Island Def Jam. This is it!' I just remember the excitement, and no one wanted to meet me afterward 'cause they were supposedly nervous. It was just amazing, and they were calling their lawyers right after the show."
Def Jam soon moved her to New York and had her working on her self-titled debut almost nonstop. "I've only been signed to Island Def Jam for about six months, and out of those six months I have been recording for four," she explained. "I haven't been signed for very long, but everything's been moving very quickly and it's happenin'."
If she is to fulfill her dream of becoming a legend, Fefe will have to get accustomed to churning out quality material at a rapid rate. The first release from her December 9 debut is called "Take Me Away."
" 'Take Me Away' is a love song. Sometimes when I say 'a love song' some people are like, 'Ah, another love song.' But it's an interesting love song because it's just about two people that can't be together and maybe it's because of religion or race or age or it could just also be about their parents just don't like the guy or the girl."
Fefe's mom, whom she cites as her biggest influence, always felt her little girl could make it. Growing up, Fefe was surrounded by eclectic sounds ranging from Michael Jackson to disco to Nirvana, all helping to foster her love of music and help nurture her blossoming talent.
"My mom was always pushing me toward what she knew I wanted, to be a singer," Fefe said. "She has always known it and she was really supportive in music. My music, it's very different. I can't really compare it to anyone, but I can say it's organic and it's intense. As much as it is intense, it's also honest and fun."
For more on Fefe Dobson, check out the feature "Don't Call Me Avril."
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