Catching Up With Schuyler Fisk

You may know her as Kristy Thomas from the film, The Babysitter’s Club or as Lane in the film, Snow Day. But you probably do not know what she has been up to the past couple of years. Since Snow Day, Schuyler Fisk has appeared on episodes of One Tree Hill and Law & Order SVU, and has appeared in numerous films, most recently, I’m Reed Fish. Today, Schuyler is recording her debut album and songs of hers are already available on iTunes! Wouldn’t you like to hear more from her? Here you go!

It has been awhile since we have seen you on the big and small screen so are you going to only work on your music from now on or do you plan to get back into acting?
I don't think I could ever completely give up acting and say I'd never go back to it, but right now I'm just completely focused on my music and I love getting to do it for a living.

Do you wish that people would see you as Schuyler Fisk and not Kristy from The Babysitter’s Club or you do not mind that people still see you as Kristy?
I'm just so excited when people recognize me at all. It always makes me laugh when someone mentions "The Baby-Sitter's Club" because it was SO long ago.... but it's cool to see that people remember that movie and still connect the dots that that was me then and this is me now. So funny! I love it when people bring BSC tapes or DVDs to my shows for me to sign. Usually they are embarrassed, but really I should be the one that's embarrassed, right?! (Laughs).

What was it like touring in Europe with Tori Amos?
It was fantastic. I loved watching Tori's process. She's quite an amazing performer, not to mention that I got to see so many amazing countries. Jonny (Flower), Josh (Radin) and I also played lots of poker in the van on the long drives from country to county. I'm pretty good now.

What are some of your favorite memories from the 2006 Hotel Café Tour?
That tour was a total blast. I was just soaking it all in....so happy to be on tour and grateful that I was getting to hang and sing with amazing people like Rachael Yamagata and The Weepies, sharing a very cramped bus, and drinking lots of whiskey. Fun times.

So when can we expect your album to drop and is there a name for it?
I haven't named the record yet and I think it's supposed to be out around February '09.

How has the process been like recording your album?
It's been amazing. I've been waiting so many years to get to make this record and it is finally happening. It is surreal and wonderful and overwhelming at the same time. I am trying to enjoy this process and make something I am really proud of.

As far as making your own music, were you always attracted to the folk music genre or did that come as you were writing and making music?
I picked up the guitar at 15 and started writing songs, and what came out was just kind of "my sound." It was definitely influenced by the music I grew up listening to (Bonnie Raitt, Rickie Lee Jones, Billie Holiday, Crosby Stills Nash and Young, the Beatles, Bob Dylan) and has for sure evolved as I have gotten older.

Who would you love to sing a duet with?
Ben Harper, Emmylou Harris...

When you moved to LA without her parents at just 17 years old, how did you get involved in Los Angeles social scene? What did you do to network with people, create friendships, and get closer to your dreams?
It was really hard to find good friends here at that age because most other kids my age were either still in high-school or heading to college. I was lucky that I moved out here with my best friend Leslie who was also my age. We helped to keep each other sane. I also had some family friends out here, but it was hard for a while. Now that I am older, I have had a lot of friends from back east move out here and that has been amazing! I have never been huge on the "LA social scene." I like to hang with my friends, my family and my dog. That is what makes me happy. Period.

What have you learned about the entertainment business from your mother, Sissy Spacek and father, Jack Fisk?
To enjoy the journey and be grateful that I get to do what I love. Also, to treat everyone the way I would want to be treated. The golden rule - it is a good one.

Do you feel more at home in Los Angeles, California or Virginia?
Virginia will always be my true home. I just feel like I belong there, you know? I have grown to love LA though and I have an amazing group of friends out here that makes LA feel like home too. I feel lucky to have a home on both coasts where I have people that I love.

You played the ukulele as a young child but can you still play?
Haha, not really.

How long have you been a vegan and what are your favorite vegan/vegetarian places to eat at in LA?
I became vegan almost 5 years ago. I originally just decided to do it as a kind of cleanse for my body....and then ended up enjoying the way it made me feel. I was vegan for a few years, but now I have started eating meat again. I still don't eat eggs or dairy though and probably never will. It's really amazing how much healthier I have been since cutting eggs and dairy out of my diet. I love the nachos at Real Food Daily, go to Scoops for the best vegan ice cream EVER, Native Foods for their fabulous vegan pizza...

For more Schuyler Fisk, visit her website here.