Almost 21 Questions W/ Alanna Fugate ;)

Please elaborate on your start in music and the transition from Richmond to Louisville and beyond.

I grew up in Ewing Va, with The Cumberland gap national park pretty much my backyard. It was a very small town and had a very simple way of life about it, and still does. Most of my family still live there. I started playing guitar when I was 13, though writing much earlier. My mother was a writer mostly for herself but the bug caught me early and I've been flying with it since. I liked the guitar because it was to be the sounding board for my writing. I never imagined I'd play the way I do now. I taught myself and have just progressed naturally with it just like any language or skill. I moved to Richmond KY with friends after high school, going to college just for a short time before. School at the time was not for me, just didn't have the focus to pursue something i didn't want to do. I lived in Richmond for 5 1/2 years, playing music, writing songs, and just exploring with love and life. I married and divorced during that time. Soon after I picked up the anchor and moved to Louisville. I've been here almost 2 1/2 years. During this time cutting my teeth in town, and learning the ropes of the road on my own. I like it here. Though, I do see my self moving on from Louisville in the near future.

How have you been feeling musically, spiritually, and health wise lately?

Musically: I feel pretty creative, tossing a lot of different styles around. I've been pondering on what this next album is gonna sound like, If i even want to stick to the sound I have with the yarn novels. I might go a total different direction. I've been feeling something stirring that's defiantly cooking something different up... just don't know what it is yet. I tend to surprise myself by the end of projects and I think what's coming has no exception to that surprise.
Spiritually: I'm working with myself these days, taking guidance from reading, and friends, and day to day experiences. I'm really seeing how my world and how the whole world work together. Life is a process mentally, and physically and experiencing and seeking how that works is a gift to all of us. I come from a sudo religious family of the baptist kind, but really a hodgepodge of views and practices. I believe in a higher power, synchronicity, and things of the cosmic sort. But really Just trying to be a good person and treat people how I want to be treated is the best bet for what ever is going on out, up, down, or beyond!
Health wise: I'm happy for the first time in a long time. I'm trying to eat healthier, (working in a restaurant doesn't help :) and being on the road eating what ever you can doesn't help either... but i try. but overall... I'm feelin fine! {myspace}32617174{/myspace}

As a local artist with a loyal following in the Ville, which artists around our region have really caught your ear lately and why?

Ben Sollee is a great friend of mine, and lately I'm just excited to hear what he has to say. He's had the gift to be able to travel and really see what's going on outside our over consumed country. And aside from that gift he's got the gift to put out what he's seen in a very creative and fresh way. I dig it. I had the chance to meet and play music with Tim Krekle when he was around to grace the stages and radio waves of Louisville. Sadly Tim passed away this year. He was a big inspiration to me and liked what I was doing, that meant a lot to me. I've listened to a lot of his albums, his career span is amazing.

You have had the opportunity to play at many venues across Louisville and the country during your career, tell us about a few venues have you most enjoyed performing in and what it was that set those venues apart.

Louisville...I love the Rudyard Kipling, the Hideaway saloon has been very kind to me. Across the country... I've been from NY to LA and have seen a lot of different stages. My favorite place to be though is a living room. I love house concerts!!! For my style of music and personable writing it's best for me to have an attentive audience. The people there are really there to listen and very open to what you have to give.

Tell us about your best show ever, who was there, where was it at, where were you in your music career when it happened, what made it so special, how did it make you feel?

Best show ever...was actually in my living room. I was having a final blow out party before I moved from Richmond KY. I had just got a divorce and of course I'd been writing a lot. I had just finished a song called Three Good Reasons. I invited 4 or 5 of my girlfriends upstairs while everyone else was outside. I played for them this new song. It was one of the most emotionally drenched moments of forgiveness, hate, love, confusion, solitude, and freedom I had ever experienced. Everyone in the room was crying and came up to me after and we just sat there and held each other. It was amazing. By the end of the night i had played the song for so many people and people just kept asking me to play it over and over. It was a very "whoa" moment for me.

What was your absolute worst show, how was the crowd, what was the atmosphere like, how did you feel, what were you able to take away from it?

The worst show... hahaha it could also be the funniest too. I played an all instrumental duo guitar gig w. my old guitarist Mike at a Merle Norman open house. Merle Norman is a make-up store!!!! We got paid 50 dollars to split and had to sit there for 3 hrs!!!! oh my is was so awful!!!

What local artist would you love to collaborate with and what type of effect do you think that would have on your music?

I'd love to collaborate with Chris Rodahaffer from Arnett Hollow. I think it would bring a little more of the bluegrass side of me out. He has great lyrics, his voice is very unique to me, and the man's got some great guitar skills!!

If there was one thing that could undoubtedly benefit Louisville’s music scene for the better what would it be?

I've been waiting on a better venue for awhile. There have been some places lately open there doors for live music that i've not had the chance to play yet. But I'm seeing good things going on at those places. I applaud Louisville music listeners for coming to shows and supporting the music, even if the club sucks... generally sound in this town is good, no problems there. But if the venue is cool then people don't mind coming out for something new. That's why people go to something like waterfront Wednesday. They know if they don't like the music then they at least get to people watch and socialize.

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What are your immediate and future goals for your music and performances?

Immediate: I'll start working on a new album in November.
Future: I'm planning touring all next year.

Where do you see yourself, as an artist, in five years?

Who knows what I'll get into!!!! Hopefully I'll still be at it. I kinda signed up for this gig for the long haul! I hope that I keep learning and progressing with my guitar playing. I can't wait to see where I may go.

What advice would you give a new artist trying to make it in the Ville, what are some things they should avoid, and which venues would you suggest to them?

I suggest when you get here, hit the ground running. Go to the open mics, go the local bars on the weekends meet the bands playing, network! network! network!!! Get to know the radio station, if they like you they'll let you stay! But as theol sayin ' from Woody Guthrie's song 'do re me'... "you can't make it here" You have to travel and you have to want it really bad or forget it... yeah it is sometimes who you know, luck of the draw, or one in a million.. but who's waiting, work your ass off and someones gonna notice.

If you had to stick to one key, which would it be and why?

Well honestly... that's a funny question for me. If you gave a nickle to my bass player Owen Reynolds every time he asked me what key I was in before he finally gave up asking he'd be a rich man. I don't know what key I'm in half the time unless someone tells me. That stuffs just not hanging out in my brain.

If each of your albums is a candy bar, what kinds would they be?

My first album New Becoming Me would be one of those tri-colored coconut bars, you'll only eat it once. Lost a Little would be a chocolate chip granola bar, the chewy kind. Imaginary Boats I would say a payday, sweet and salty.

What has been your experience working with promoters? Do you currently use their services? Can you give some suggestions or tips to artist who are not familiar with using promoters and their services (Things to look out for, do's and dont's)?

Promoters are human, they are not machines. Therefore consistency becomes questionable. If they have a great list of clients great for them but talk with the artists directly there not gonna sugar coat it. Promoters are there to work for you. That's why you pay them. If they do or don't do a good job the artist will let you know about the experience. One person may have a bad story but 9 may have good. It's the chance you take. I personally have not had a great experience with them. That's why I tirelessly find myself doing everything on my own. Over the years you will hopefully build a great team, and that will be needed as things progress in a career. I'm just not there yet. oh and good luck!!

You are currently on tour across west/ mid west USA, talk about your experiences and some of the people you have meet along the way.

I have met some damn fine people, people who don't even know me have invited me into their homes, fed me allowed me to rest. This past tour was amazing and I would do it all over again and can't wait until the next time i can. Traveling alone forced me out of a social shell i didn't think I had. I had to make new friends everywhere i went. I had to really put myself out there or what would the point have been for me to even be there. Walking up to people after the shows to talk to them instead of waiting for someone to talk to me. you really are on stage the whole time, even at some place like the gas station!!! So many people asked me where i was going, what was i doing such a long way from home. I even sold a few cd's to people who didn't even know me or had ever heard my music, just cause i took the time to tell them my story. you have to make the most of every conversation.

How has touring helped refine your art, do you find that it has helped with the profitability of your music?

Touring you play your songs over and over. I've brought out old tunes some of the sets, ones i haven't played in years just to give them a fresh feel, many have made there way back to the regular set list. The one's i always have to play, i constantly find myself trying to find new ways to make them fresh for me.

Alanna you are quite easy on the eyes, do you ever feel that this may detract attention from your music or have you been able to embrace it and use it to enhance your performances? How has it helped/hurt?

I try to embrace it, my mom and dad didn't mess up for nothin :) ha, no, but I like to dress up sometimes and I've learned how to deal with the people who do detract. If you come to one of my shows you'll notice that i generally do have a larger male audience. But I'm not really sure why... according to my old neighbor Curt Chapman, i write nothin but man hatin' songs. hahaha , i think I've moved on to least learning how to be more clever about it, but it is quite questionable phenomenon i cant seem to figure out.

What have you found to be the most successful way to promote and sell your music?

Tour and embrace the people you play for.

If there is one thing we all should know about you please tell us now.

I want to collaborate with Kenny Loggins one day... for real. I love the man.

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Other Places To Find Alanna

http://leomusicblog.blogspot.com/2008/02/q-alanna-fugate.html

Louisville Music News
http://www.louisvillemusicnews.net/webmanager/index.php?WEB_CAT_ID=50&storyid=4811&headline=Alanna_Fugate

Linked In
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/alanna-fugate/5/8a1/5a

kentuckycoffeetree
http://www.kentuckycoffeetree.com/content/alanna-fugate

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