Monday April 30, 07:39 AM

Q&A: Musician/producer Perry in high demand

NEW YORK (Billboard) - The former lead singer of 4 Non Blondes, Linda Perry has come into her own as a producer and songwriter.

Her friends call her a "force of nature" because when she sings, she wails, and when she writes, she writes hits. When she signs an artist to her label, Custard Records, she goes with her gut (she inked James Blunt when others passed). Her label is home to up-and-comers Sierra Swan, Sunshine, Ben Jelen and Big Elf, as well as rock veteran Courtney Love.

Perry, who of late has logged studio time with Alicia Keys and the Section Quartet, will be honored for her career achievements April 29 by the San Francisco chapter of the Recording Academy, along with Sammy Hagar and Narada Michael Walden. The evening will benefit advocacy education and professional development programs spearheaded by the chapter.

Perry stole a moment between recording and trying to get some sleep to talk to Billboard about current projects.

Q: When will Courtney Love's album be ready?

A: We're going to start mixing, and we're doing one more song. We're putting the marketing plan together, and Courtney is going to put a band together. She's ready and really excited to tour.

Q: How has it been working with Alicia Keys on her new album?

A: We did some really great work together. It's a whole other thing -- old-school soul and R&B -- but I really made a point to bring it into the Al Green area. Alicia is really open. It is effortless with her.

Q: What can you tell us about the Section Quartet project?

A: I just finished the record. They are covering a lot of popular songs. I love the fact that kids are going to hear popular music arranged in strings. It is going to open their ears that strings aren't just to be pretty -- they can rock. It's very original, even though they're doing covers.

Q: Was it harder to produce string instruments?

A: It really is. It took me a week to get it. I had to figure out how I was going to approach this. But it was refreshing to jump onto something different. You have to make sure that you get the right emotion across on violin just like you would with a singer. I recorded them and approached them like I was dealing with a band.

Q: How is the Big Elf record coming?

A: Big Elf is almost done. It is Floyd, Sabbath and the Beatles, with some glam mixed in there. It is just so huge.

Q: Where do you feel you are in your career?

A: This thing that I was looking for a long time was respect. When I was in (4 Non Blondes) that's all I wanted, I just wanted respect and to be known for being a good songwriter and somebody that was contributing something to music in a positive way. I didn't really feel like I was getting that in the band. All I have been fighting for was one day to be respected for what I do. I have people reaching out to me constantly now to work with me. What it has done is made me realize that I never needed acceptance. I realize now that none of that stuff matters because it is not going to change anything I do.

Reuters/Billboard