Going Global with 

Austrian Singer 

Diana

Talk It Out with Jodi Leib
Interview posted July 2004

Diana:  Hello Everybody.
Jodi:  What is the name you're going by?
Diana:  The last CD we produced in Europe under the name Xadia.  The single they are playing is "All You Need."  When I perform here, I go solo, just Diana.
Jodi:  What are you doing in Los Angeles that's making a difference in the world?
Diana:  No matter where I do it, it does make a difference.  At the moment, I'm doing it in LA.  I write and sing, and I perform as a solo artist and drummer.  That's what I do mainly in my band.  I drum and sing.
Jodi:  Your drumming is phenomenal.  I absolutely loved you when I saw you at The Gig.  How did you learn to play the drums?
Diana:  Thank you.  I started ten years ago.  They were searching for someone to be in a school band.  I was like, "Yeah!  That's going to be my instrument."  I learned piano when I was little, but I wanted to drum.  It's so emotional.  It's all about the heartbeat, and the world beat. It's very physical and energetic.  I've been performing, writing and singing for ten years too, but now it's getting bigger and bigger, even more emotional, clearer.
Jodi:  What do you see as a possibility for yourself in music?
Diana:  Hopefully, everything.  At the moment I don't know where I'm going to be tomorrow.  It could be Europe, America.  There's only for me, at the moment, LA or London.  I see myself as a performer, very popular, definitely in the Top 10...(laughs).
Jodi:  I definitely see you as being a wonderful influence on women and musicians.  You've been inspiring to me in my own music.  I love to see you play the drums.  You're so beautiful.  You're like a supermodel kicking it on the drums.  Your voice is very pure, and very blissful.  How did you learn how to sing, and how do you develop your voice?
Diana:  I had voice lessons back home, and also here.  I think it's just a natural thing.  You just go for it.  Sing all day long, in the shower, wherever.  You just get better and better.  It's a very emotional and personal thing.  You just go and do it 'cause your heart tells you to.
Jodi:  You're from Vienna, Austria.  How is life there compared to Los Angeles?
Diana:  Cool.  It's cool.  There is a nice, underground Electronica scene, but there is no Popular scene; that's why I came here.  There's no real "industry."  
Jodi:  So you came to LA to seek what?
Diana:  Well, I 'm working with great artists, musicians, and producers.  To find myself, too.
Jodi:  On a global scale, what is our reputation here in America and in LA?  What do people think of us around the world?
Diana:  That Americans do have a fucked up political system.  That they're superficial, but I don't think so.  I've met a lot of really great people here.  They're very deep in conversation and very spiritual, and I love that.  They're totally into being aware of your body, of what you eat, to whom you pray, and whatever exercises you do.  For me it's not really superficial.
Jodi:  I find it to be true also.  It's very deep and complex here, and very enlightened in LA, and that's what I love about it.  It's too bad that we are victims of a tragic political system.  Can you talk a little bit about that, what you think, what you see from an outside perspective?  Can you tell us what we look like?
Diana:  The problem I think is that the whole radio and television system doesn't really give you the whole truth.  If you get all the news from Europe, you kind of see it from a different aspect.  They tell you what you want to hear, what you should hear.  The European news give you facts from a different perspective.
Jodi:  Do we have Freedom of Speech here, do you think?
Diana: Yeah, sure, we have Freedom of Speech.  I think it's more about what everybody thinks is right for his own life.  If I choose to speak or not.  I think the problem here is that a lot of things are based on fear so that people consume.  If I drive through Beverly Hills, it's all beautiful, but the more you have, the more you're afraid to lose.  The whole system tries to make you believe that you should grab on what you have, instead of letting go to find yourself.  Everything based on fear of losing property is bad.  Everything that is made by positive thoughts will have a good outcome.  The problem with the politics is that it goes way back.  It's just about who is the biggest gangster.  
Jodi:  Does that make us a very greedy culture?
Diana:  Greedy culture?  I think that it's not about the culture that is greedy, but about the time.  We're going to Iraq because we need the oil.  It's like a child.  I need that tool, I take it, no matter if it's right or not.  The new generation has to grow up with other issues, than just taking what I need, because that's going to make it worse.  Education has always been the most important thing, because that's when you plant the seed in the children's heads.  
Jodi:  So, we're a very immature, juvenile delinquent-type of culture in the eyes of the world?
Diana:  Yep.
Jodi:  I think that it's sad what has become of America, that we cannot resolve our issues peacefully, through communication, through listening to one another, through sharing viewpoints, and through allowing different perspectives to come through. That is why we are in this position that we are in right now.
Diana:  It's always been like that, but we just didn't want to see it or believe it, because we believed  in other things, like sitcoms or whatever.  But now it's an issue, and has become popular.  We can see it.
Jodi:  Do you have hope that America can be a great country?
Diana:  Sure, it is a great country.  The people are awesome!  The younger kids are growing up with kindness and being there for other people.  They stay in touch with our collective soul.  So. it's gonna be better, hopefully.  
Jodi:  I hope so, too!  So getting back to the music, you say you're possibly going to London.  What do you see as a possibility and a reality in London?
Diana:  The music that I do is Electronica-based. There is a huge market for that in London.  I think that this is going to come to America.  It's already happening in New York.  It's also happening here in LA.  I'm just ahead of my time, probably. 
Jodi:  Probably so.  [I interviewed her in November, 2003, fyi]  Do you see your material on radio or do you see it in the clubs?
Diana:  Yeah, I see it in the clubs.  I see it in Santa Monica.  I do also see it on the radio.  I hear KISS FM and KCRW. 
Jodi:  What is your music saying to the world?
Diana:  Stand up for yourself and make something out of your life!
Jodi:  And what are you standing up for?
Diana:  Caring for each other.  Trying to go your path, but not by disrespecting other people.  Love, basically, I guess.  The old issue.
Jodi:  The universal theme.  That's my favorite theme for sure.  To help us understand where we are and what it would be like to lose a great artist like you if you can't stay here in America, because of the immigration obstacles you're experiencing, what do want our government to know about you so that you can stay in this country?
Diana:  I think that as a European artist, as a drummer that sings about world issues, it's rare.  I think they should give people a chance to get the kind of energy that they feel they need to pursue careers while talking through their soul. 
Jodi:  So we should allow people like you to stay here, because you're a positive influence in the world, and that's what it should be measured on.  Is that how you feel? 
Diana:  Yeah. 
Jodi:  I agree.  Thank you, Diana. 
Diana:  Thank you.
Jodi:  Take care, okay?   Good luck with everything. 
Diana:  Thank you.

Feel free to check Diana's website at

 dianaprojects.com

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Talk It Out with Jodi Leib's Diana Interview was taped in November 2003.  Talk It Out (c) Jodi Leib, 2003. Reprint by Permission at talkitout@jodileib.com.