Interview with Alice Despard [alicedespard]

What do you do? What is your musical specialty?

I am a songwriter and singer and guitarist. There are several albums I have created over the years. http://www.myspace.com/alicedespardgroup You are welcome to go there and to Itunes to hear my music. I also love to sing choral music, sing in church choir and have just joined an Early Music all-female chamber choir called Illuminare which performs in the DC area. Alice Despard has always been a bit of an outsider in the Washington D.C. music scene-- and she has spent quite a bit of time forging her own sound -- a blend of psychedelia, punk and alt-country--or as Splendid E-Zine put it: pure peyote punk-rock, to which they added, Brilliant. Alice acknowledges influences as diverse as Van Morrison, Neil Young, Mission of Burma, and the Sea and Cake. And while her influences are rarely worn on her sleeve, when you take a look at the ones mentioned here, a vast guitar-shaped territory of smart songwriting begins to map itself out. Smack dab in the center you?ll find Alice?s music. --Snappop Magazine, 5/01 Washington Post music critic Mark Jenkins has raved for years about Alice Despard's music, to the point where he is beginning to sound like a hoarse, lonely prophet bellowing in the desert: 1998's "Push Me Pull You" (Deep Reverb) was on Mark Jenkin's Top Ten List of Albums in 1998...."Lush, ethereal counrty-rock may seem a curious concept, but this local singer-songwriter manages to combine heaven and Earth in 11 songs that are both mysterious and urgent." --M. Jenkins 1/1/99 Washington Post Weekend 2000's "Alice Despard Group" EP (Arlingtone) "....what's here ranks with the best of Despard's fine (and unjustly overlooked) work." --MJ 10/00 Washington Post 2003's "Thinning of the Veil" "There are swirling mists in Alice Despard's music...but also beacons which pierce the fog. Melancholy verses shift to ebullient refrains, roundabout riffs yield to trenchant leads, floating melodies are suddenly redirected by a gathering beat. Despard's style can be compared to that of many bands that combined folkie tunes with psychedelic grooves. Specific influences aren't conspicuous, however, in such songs as the sprightly "Superfine Comb" or the stark (and Beatles-quoting) "Hold You Up." The musician has developed an assured, individual style, one that can be spacious yet never sounds overinflated....[a] precise balance between the cosmic and the earthy that keeps "Thinning of the Veil" grounded even at its loftiest." --Mark Jenkins 7/03 Washington Post/Style OTHER REVIEWS: "Alice Despard is one of the great songwriters going these days...If her writing skills weren't enough, Despard has a haunting, low-alto voice that immediately brings chills to the spine....She's unique and utterly compelling." --Aiding & Abetting 7/03 Despard's solo album is a temptestuous affair, full of grim American country rock ambience and unfettered emotion...Think Patti Smith or a female Neil Young. Think artists who make it real... Splendid E-Zine 2/99 ...unflinchingly powerful songs which can't escape the brain no matter what...brilliant and astonishing... --Aiding and Abetting 2/99 ..one of the finest voices on the Washington music scene, Despard sings her own powerful compositions, rock songs filled with nearly hymnlike melodies. --Eric Brace, Washington Post, 12/02 Alice Despard Group The Alice Despard Group has performed at the Black Cat in DC, Mercury Lounge and Knitting Factory in NYC, Galaxy Hut and IOTA in Arlington, VA, and Tokyo Rose in Charlottesville, VA. ADG has opened for Richard Buckner, Lois, Bettie Serveert, Rebecca Gates (Spinanes), Purple Ivy Shadows, Jenny Toomey, and Jonathan Linnell (They Might Be Giants). Discography: Thinning of the Veil, LP, 2003, Arlingtone Records Alice Despard Group EP, 2000, Arlingtone Records Push Me Pull You LP, 1999, Deep Reverb Records Alice D. (samsara) LP, 1990 Get Yer Hyaa-Hyaa Out! Hyaa!, vinyl LP , 1987 Hyaa! EP, 1986, Fountain of Youth Records MP3s of Alice Despard Group are available at: www.alicedespard.com www.mp3.washingtonpost.com/bands/alice_despard.shtml www.epitonic.com/artists/alicedespardgroup.html

Do you work alone or in a group? If in a group, who are the others you work with?

When I play my own music, I play as a duo as guitarist with my drummer of many years, Evan Pollack. We play local clubs in the DC area.

Is there a web address where one can listen, see, or read some of your work?

http://www.myspace.com/alicedespard

Please list discography in which you have participated.

links represent a CD that is not currently available. Title Release Samsara 05/11/2006 Vessel 2005 Thinning of the Veil 2003 Alice Despard Group 2000 Push Me Pull You 1999

How did you begin making music? Who introduced you?

I taught myself to play guitar from the age of 14, playing along with albums i liked. Started writing songs by age 15 and joined bands in early high school. First bands were Magpie Rag (bluegrass/traditional), Riff Raff (British Invasion cover band) in high school. Played in bands ever since. The era of the 70's introduced me to the acoustic and electric guitars and I took it from there....

What was your musical education?

Rudimentary. Playing the clubs. Singing in choirs.

When did you realise that making music could be a way of life for you?

Music is intertwined and essential to my life and always has been since I was a tyke singing in the school musicals and revues.

What is your creative process?

I listen internally, play chords, create melodies and words, usually all at once.

When do you have your most lucid moments, in the morning or night?

Night, or whenever I am alone.

Have you ever awoken with a melody created from your dreams?

yes, but capture one, never.

How do you know when a song is finished or needs no more changes?

If and when I can remember it in its entirety the next day without having done anything but jot down chords and words.

How did you discover your creative territory? How would you describe it?

Just a hippie, then a punk, trying to express myself. More and more just listening within and striving for inner spaciousness and the realm of the spirit.

What part of your job is your least favourite?

Letting go of a band mate when it is not working out.

How often do you practice?

only when I have a show or recording. choir practice every week!

How do you feel right before going out on stage?

Which musicians or groups have been inspiring to your career?

Beatles Rolling Stones Who Neil Young Van Morrison VU Mission of Burma Yo La Tengo The 88 Diane Izzo Lambchop REM U2 That is a very short list

List three songs that are key to your life.

The top three songs change all the time Right now: U2: Magnificent Alberta Cross: Lucy Rider Alberic: Ad Superni

What should be done to stop piracy?

Change our attitude towards it, I guess, as it seems inevitable.

What type of music do you detest?

Dave Matthews stuff extemporaneous jazz sax

What time did you get up this morning?

How do you sell yourself? What has been your experience with record companies and representatives?

I don't. Indie record companies and reps do the best they can under the current conditions, which are difficult for independent artists. I salute their efforts.

What other things have you done to make a living?

I've never made a living playing my own music and don't expect to ever...sorry, not much of a careerist!

Have you ever played on the street or in the subway? How much did you collect each day?

No, but always wanted to do some busking. It may be in my future if I need money.

Ask me a question, make a comment, or request my opinion on something:

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