WW: You've composed a huge body of music since the very young age of 8.  Have you written any other Oz related songs over your career?

EW: Not particularly. I thought I kinda looked like Dorothy growing up and was something from Oz for several Halloweens: Munchkin, Dorothy (my whole family were characters from Oz once)...

WW: You were only five years old when Disney's "Return to Oz" was released.  Did you see it during it's brief theatrical run, or later on video?

EW: I actually saw it at a special premiere - my sister won a coloring contest for the film & our whole family got tickets. She also got some books, framed lithograph etc. - over the years, when I kept seeing these things around the house it kept reminding me how much I liked the film & wanted to see it again.

WW: I'm assuming you watched "Return to Oz" countless times while scoring it.  Have you noticed any bloopers or continuity errors?

EW: Actually, no, and I usually pick up on stuff like that. I did however notice more and more amazing things (for a film of that time) and film tricks. At least visually (I can't remember sound enough to say) this film was quite ahead of its time- quite a masterpiece.

WW: Were you dissatisfied with David Shire's original score to "Return to Oz".

EW: No. I've actually only seen the movie with its original soundtrack maybe 3 or 4 times in my life (as opposed to about 847 times without the sound). From what I remember, it was a bit sparse if anything.  I don't recall a big 'memorable' theme, but I can't remember anything negative.  It just had to go (with the bathwater) when I made my project.

WW: You have another connection with the Walt Disney Company.  Tell us about your acting experience in the "Return to Halloweentown" project.

EW: I was the 'geeky/nerdy girl'. I got to pull out the beret & braids I used to wear all of the time when I was homeschooled, so it sort of came naturally, I guess.

WW: This isn't the first time that an alternate soundtrack has been shown to an Oz film.  Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of the Moon" has become a cult favorite to listen to while watching the 1939 MGM Oz movie.  What do you think of this phenomenon?

EW: I saw this at a theatre & was impressed. And yes, it did play a part in me deciding to do 'Return to Oz'. I love putting music to film footage- I'd like to do it again sometime- but need to rest a while from this one first.

WW: You recently did a live performance of the soundtrack in Salt Lake City where Fairuza Balk was in attendance.  Had you two met before?

EW: No. We talked on the phone a little before the event- but that was our first 'in person' meeting. She was really excited and said she had even heard about the project before we first ever communicated.

WW: How would you describe the music of Eliza Wren Returns to Oz?

EW: For one thing- I think the music transforms alongside the film - it gets more and more surreal the deeper you get into Oz. One thing that I really liked in putting it together was that some of the songs were songs I wrote prior to my starting this project- that fit perfectly into place- both musically & lyrically- I guess you could say those were my 'Dark Side of the Rainbow' moments- if Pink Floyd really did that by accident.

WW: Are you familiar with The Scissor Sisters' song "Return to Oz"?  Did it have any influence on your latest project?

EW: Funny- I haven't heard it- I should watch it on YouTube right now. Our producer, Hyrum, told me about it when we were in the middle of mixing the album- I hadn't heard of it before then.

WW: Have you read any of the Oz books?  If so, which ones are your favorites and why?

EW: I did read 'The Wonderful Wizard of Oz' - but haven't got around to any others. I have the 'Return to Oz' novel with images from the movie -from my sister's winnings- I also read her picture books from the collection a bunch of times when I was a child.

WW: Eliza Wren is the name of the band as well as your first and middle name.  Where did the name Wren come from in your family?

EW: My mom just liked the name and felt strongly about what she named me- it's not from anywhere in particular. It does mean 'songbird' in the dictionary which is pretty nice. Also, there is actually another singer/songwriter named Eliza Wren - we're friends (we could have easily been enemies- ha ha). I met the other Eliza in London & we played together... A documentary is being made about that whole story... but as far as the name- apparently it was so for a reason.

WW: What has been the most interesting thing to happen to you while on tour?  As a fellow musician, I know there have to be stories that are unforgettable.

EW: A long time ago I put together a Halloween show (long before the Oz project) & made the band wear costumes - some members loved it- but one in particular hated it- he was 'Sid Vicious' (we were all dead rock stars). He was so angry he had to wear this costume- and it showed - he even threw his mandolin at one point- ironically this made an incredible portrayal of Sid & the crowd loved it.

-Our drive to Canada was an adventure- I had bad food poisoning for the drive, when we arrived in Toronto-we realized we left the bass (we took everything else- including drums...), we had car trouble in a city named 'Fate'...

-I've been in 22 car wrecks... (but not all on tour)

WW: Any future projects or events you'd like to let everyone know about?

EW: Well, I plan on both touring with the Oz project & letting it tour on its own. Also, my other band, Haun's Mill Massacre (www.haunsmillmassacre.com) has a new album coming out (this band also performs with film projection- but not in sync- more atmospheric). The group is a sort of dark spaghetti-western folk outfit complete with costumes.

WW: In addition to music, you are also a cartoonist (I liked the line drawings of Oz characters inside of the CD jacket).  Would you ever want to write and illustrate an Oz comic?

EW: Yeah! That's a great idea! Thanks!

WW: Does the extremely expensive Eliza Wren phone booth for sale on your website have any connection to Doctor Who's Tardis?

EW: I'm not familiar with it - that's another thing people have been telling me to explore. ...still waiting for someone to buy a booth- maybe this will get the word out...ha ha ∆