She's massive in America and now she's making it big over here, we caught up with her to get the low down!
Alison Sudol is the name behind A Fine Frenzy, she has had her songs played on The Hills, One Tree Hill, House and Brothers and Sisters. She's uber cool and we couldn't wait to find out more about her...
How did you come up with the name A Fine Frenzy?
It’s a quote from A Midsummer Night's Dream I think it's so beautiful - it’s about all the different madnesses the lunatic, the lover and the poet are all alike and crazy in their own ways.
Do you see yourself as a bit of a lunatic, lover and poet?
Yeah I suppose, it’s definitely fun to be like that. I’m a full believer in being passionate about things.
So can you tell me about the upcoming album?
It’s my first album it’s sort of very influenced by fairy tales and nature and things like that. It’s also about love and hope. It’s very melodic and it’s good rainy day, walking music.
Is there a meaning and a story to each song on the album?
There are very definite stories behind each of them. I try not tell too much what the songs are about just because I have discovered that people get their own views, meanings and pictures behind each of them and i don't want to ruin that.
How would you describe your sound to someone who's not familiar with it?
It’s melodic, melancholic something to relax to. Although it’s not all peaceful there are definitely some raucous moments in it.
We read that you taught yourself how to play the piano. How long did it take you to do this and what kept you from giving up?
I did yeah, it’s still work in progress because there are limitations that I have to push past everytime I write a song, I just have to figure new things out. So I don’t think I’ll ever be done learning piano.
Did you have any idols when you were younger?
I sort of wanted to be Aretha Franklin when I was younger. My idol was Eva Cassidy especially before I started writing. There came a point when I wanted to start writing my own music, the music I wrote was so far away from soul music it just couldn’t have been anymore different. So I decided to find my own voice and I felt a little bit limited as a soul singer – I had the power but it never felt like my home musically or vocally.
When did you start singing?
I was about 11 years old at school and I took some vocal lessons. The mother of one of my friends taught vocal lessons so I took from her and she was really wonderful and just basically got me to sing out because I was so shy and quiet. She really opened me up.
On your tour, where have you been and where is your favourite place?
Everywhere. All over the place. We just did a European tour, France, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, the UK and Ireland. Before that we did a tour of the States. I love Germany and Switzerland.
How do you keep yourself entertained when you're on the road?
I read, I’m writing a book. I play the piano, I’l write then I’l record it and I’ll work on songs on the road, play guitar, I started knitting, listen to music.
What's your book about?
It’s a young adults fantasy adventure book... all will be revealed soon!
What is your favourite way to relax?
My favourite way to relax is falling asleep to music or practising yoga, I do that a lot while I’m on tour.
Do you collect anything weird?
Yeah, I’ve begun to collect small figurines of animals and gnomes. I have like a lot of owls and birds, a few deer. The gnome thing started in America when I had to discuss my favourite book as a child and it was the gnome book. I just loved it as a kid, its just so beautifully illustrated. I have a few owls on the piano when I play, and I put a gnome up and people just started giving me gnomes.
If you had a perfume what would it be called and what would it smell of?
It would probably be green, which would probably smell like fresh grass, it will smell very clean, a light and airy scent.
If you had to eat one food for the rest of your life what would it be?
Japanese food like sushi. I would say pizza but then I would weigh seven thousand pounds
What’s the weirdest thing you have ever eaten?
You know I’m pretty weird about what I eat anyway. I just won’t touch most things. Do you remember some very strange looking meatloaf as a child from your friends mum, that was pretty horrible.
Would you rather be miniature or a giant?
I think I’d rather be a miniature. You can crawl into spaces and no one can get to you. I don’t like heights very much.
What is your favourite make-up?
I have this check and lip tint, its pink, I can’t remember what it’s called. It gives a natural looking flush.
What is your favourite thing to wear?
A good pair of cosy sweatpants, a sweater or a cosy pair of socks. I like wearing a sweet little dress, with a little collar. I find that I wear dresses all the time when I’m on tour and then I’m like you suck, stupid dress, I hate you, it’s a great dress but I get so sick of them. But I have a pinafore dress, its navy blue and has a little bow on it.
What are your top 5 songs on your ipod?
When I’m on tour I listen to a lot of really, really great music. I like a lot of soundtracks. There's a song called flowers that I listen to constantly. Motion City Soundtrack, Radiohead is good.
What advice would you give to our readers who are interested in pursuing a career in music?
Learn an instrument, learn how to write songs, try, try and try, you’ll get the hang of it and be yourself. Don’t rush into things, choose things carefully, keep your integrity and believe in who you are.
The new single by A Fine Frenzy Come on, Come out is out to buy now. Check out her MySpace page for more info!