Enya: Yeah . . . she's using her voice like an instrument, yeah.

(The song is still playing)

MK: And there's a band, Art of Noise, that does things like that.

Enya: Mmm hmm. Yeah . . .

MK: I guess it makes it -- even though you're using technology for that, it makes it so human because . . . it's the voice.

Enya: Mmm hmm.

MK: Anyway. I always liked that song. It's "O Superman," Laurie Anderson. (<-- Said a bit softly as the song fades out) Enya with us in the studio today -- um, I wanted to play a song here . . . we'll talk about this in a minute, about your soundtrack work. This song appeared in, ah, "L.A. Story."

Enya: Mmm hmm.

MK: And, uh -- well, we'll talk about it in a minute. ("Exile" begins) It's Enya on FM 101.9.

("Exile" plays out until the end)

MK: Southern California's Album Alternative, we are KSCA Glendale/Los Angeles FM 101.9 -- and Enya has been kind enough to spend some time in the studio with us this afternoon. "Exile" . . . that's on the Watermark album, but I remember that from the movie "L.A. Story", which incidentally, I rented the night before I moved out here, ("Wow") and just to get me set for L.A. ("Mmm hmm") And, that's one of the few songs -- you get so many soundtracks where artists are just, kind of uh -- what's the word -- bought. They're told to, you know, they're commissioned to put a song on a soundtrack ("Mmm hmm") and it's on there. I don't know if you saw the script, or what, but that song fit the movie and scene so amazingly well.

Enya: I had seen the script. And, ah, I saw the rushes of the film. And, to me, ah, once the visual is wonderful, it suits the melody -- it suits the song -- and it did work very well.

MK: I think that was from the scene -- actually, I think it showed up a couple times in this film maybe, but definitely with the -- the airplane ("The airplane -- yes") and the rain.

Enya: The storm. Yeah.

MK: Ahhh (a kind of sigh). I was practically in tears, and it's not an overly dramatic movie, but it was such a sad sentiment. Ah, Watermark, the album that you'll find that one on by Enya. We were talking a little bit about church, and how people perceive you to be a very spiritual person, with your music. And uh, so you were raised Roman Catholic?

Enya: Yes, I was. Yes.

MK: And ah --

Enya: And ah, at the -- for me, I've derived from religion -- what, um, I enjoy. And it's to go to church, but usually um, when there's nobody else there. I just love that moment, ah, to just sit there. It's very peaceful, very calm, and very therapeutic, and it's -- wonderful.

MK: When you go to church in Ireland, is it the church that you grew up going to?

Enya: Mmm hmm. It would be, yeah.

MK: Is it the -- typical Roman Catholic stone church --

Enya: The old -- yes, the one you were describing. Yes, exactly that.

MK: Because, I -- I fall into this trap too -- I think, "Oh, well Enya: of course she's exactly like her music," and there's candles going in every room, and you probably live in this big stone castle . . . ah, how close to your music are you really? I mean, are you this ethereal, new age woman? (Laughs)

Enya: Um, it's um -- there's a combination. Because I'm very spiritual, but I have a great love for melody. This is very strong for me when I'm in the studio working. Um, I just -- I love a strong melody. And, I've heard this in Irish traditional music . . . in classical music . . . and again in hymns -- it's very beautiful -- and, so therefore it's, um, it's strange because when I'm in the studio, it's very different to, um, my private sort of lifestyle. Because a lot of people tend to think that because I need all this time on my own in the studio, that I need time on my own, period. And that's not really true.

MK: So we'll see you down in the pub, (Enya chuckles) you know, throwin' back a couple pints, dancing on the bar ("No, I don't think so"; Enya chuckles) in the real Enya? (Both laugh)

Enya: I don't think so, but I -- I like to travel . . . I like to catch up on family and friends, because they tend to get terribly neglected when I'm in the studio. Especially towards the last few months -- it gets very intense for me, so I can't have any distractions. So um, definitely catching up on family and friends is important to me.

MK: Is there ever going to come a day when we . . . hear a commercial that says, "Coming to Los Angeles . . . Enya! ("Oh, wow") In concert!"

Enya: (Laughs) Now that's something else . . . um, at the moment, I have not toured with the music. And um, that's because of time factor. Because of ah, it's one person performing the music in the studio, and -- for example, The Memory of Trees was two years in the making. And, after that -- at the moment, I'm doing a promotional-sort of world trip. And, ah, it'll take me to the East, and I'm in America at the moment, and then to Australia -- so that'll take some time. And um, it's finding the time to actually adapt the music for stage. Myself and Nicky have spoken about it, but um, the way we see it is we'd like it very much a concert-type: ah, the orchestra, ("Mmm hmm") the choir, ah, some modern sounds, the piano, myself. But, ah, we have to find this time . . .

MK: Mmmm . . . just to even plan it would take a lot of time and, that's quite an undertaking.

Enya: Mmmm. Yes, it would be.

MK: That -- that would just be awesome. I don't know, I'm not your manager or anything, (Enya laughs) but I'm thinking maybe -- maybe a concert somewhere -- maybe somewhere in Ireland, in the countryside, ah, beautiful outdoor amphitheatre, and you broadcast it pay-per-view worldwide. There you go -- you'd be set. (Chuckles)

Enya: That would be interesting. That would be interesting.

MK: Fly a couple of us over there, (Enya laughs) to see you.

Enya: But of course. But of course.

MK: That would be wonderful. So, you're doing the promotional tour -- you've got the album, The Memory of Trees -- and, where're you off to next, Japan? Is that right?

Enya: Yes, to Tokyo . . . and then to Korea, and Taiwan. Which is -- strange countries to go to, but ah, this album has crossed over ah, so many different cultures. And it's -- it's really wonderful.

MK: Maybe this'll be the time -- maybe subconsciously, you'll pick up some influences from the Far East, and they'll show up on your next album.

Enya: They might, they might.

MK: I'd like to play from the new album, it's the final track -- it's called "On My Way Home" -- which you eventually will be (Enya laughs) -- now you're on your way to Japan. It reminds me a lot of "Orinoco Flow" -- it's very reminiscent of that, and um, it's wonderful. We love the album, and I want to thank you for spending time with us this afternoon.

Enya: You're very welcome. I enjoyed myself so much here.

MK: Oh, good. Thank you. Enya with us at FM 101.9.

("On My Way Home" begins, and plays out until the end)

MK: FM 101.9 -- Another gorgeous one from Enya's latest album, The Memory of Trees -- "On My Way Home", and we thank Enya for spending time with us this afternoon.

[END]

Want to know more about Enya? If you are looking for more information about her music, her personal background, etc. -- then please visit the official Enya Web site, enya.com (previously called shepherdmoons.net and now officially sanctioned by Warner/Reprise), maintained by Peter Pehrson and John Eckroth. The site is in my opinion the definitive Enya site for and by fans, containing much material and an Enya FAQ. I'm very confident that you'll find what you're looking for there. To learn more about her family's band, Clannad, try the official site at clannad.ie.

Only Time: A Collection, the CD box set with bonus material, is Enya's latest major release (2002) and available from Amazon.

Two Enya songs are featured in the film The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring. "May It Be" was nominated for an Academy Award for "Best Achievement In Music In Connection With Motion Pictures (Original Song)" (2001). Both songs are available on the movie's soundtrack album (available from Amazon). There are two versions of the soundtrack: for more information (and to see the video for a song!), visit the Official Lord of the Rings Soundtrack site. You can also buy the movie's DVD and/or special extended edition DVD.

A brief word from the interview transcriber/maintainer of this page

     I hope you enjoyed reading the interview. I did this as a service to all Enya fans around the globe -- from one Enya fan to you and many others. I am simply that -- a fan. I say this because I've received many e-mails, of which the authors have the idea that I am either (1) Enya herself (!), (2) Merilee Kelly (MK), the interviewer, (3) an employee of KSCA or (4) an employee of Warner Bros. Records. I'm just a fan who was fortunate enough to listen to the interview on the radio back in 1996. I am not affiliated with the former KSCA, or Warner Bros./Reprise, nor do I have any ideas on if Enya will ever tour live (although she does make periodic appearances on television talk shows when promoting a new album -- and you may have seen her perform her Oscar-nominated song from The Fellowship of the Ring during the 74th Academy Awards telecast on 24 March 2002).

     However, I would like to thank everyone who has taken the time to send me kind words regarding this page. I appreciate your feedback since it is, after all, you for whom I provide this transcript. (By the way, any purchases of the CDs or other products via the links here will help support this page by cutting down on my ISP and server costs.) If you do send me e-mail, I'd appreciate you telling me how you found this page. Thank you!

     (Note: If you see any other Web pages out there with a copy of this transcript and someone else claiming to be the transcriber, they are taking undue credit! I have spotted a number of these sites over the years. Just know that no one has ever asked me to copy the transcript, and I certainly don't appreciate others taking credit for it.)