A Fine Frenzy's Alison Sudol Interview
How would you sum up your music to newcomers?
I usually say that it’s like a soundtrack to a fairy tale, gone wrong.
You recently made your acting debut on the season opener of CSI: NY – how did that come about?
It just totally fell out of the sky really. Another artist who they had dropped out at the last minute, so they called up our label and sent us over!
What did the role involve?
I had quite a few lines, yeah, and a scene at the end that was pretty much a monologue, we ended up filming that at 4 in the morning! It was something that was all really new to me. I got quite shaken about in it, I had a knife against my throat, which isn’t something that happens in my regular daily life, so it was fun.
Is acting something you’d like to do more of?
It’s another creative medium, but I spend all my spare time creating more music really. If something came up though then I’d consider it, it’s another way to push myself.
What sort of script do you think would tempt you?
I’m a huge fan of Wes Anderson and Michel Gondry’s films. And also Miranda July, who did Me And You And Everyone We Know, that’s such a beautiful film. I think to be part of something like that, especially if I could tie it in with music somehow, would be amazing. Everything I do is about music.
How did the gig supporting Jamie Scott & The Town go last night?
I had to cancel unfortunately, it’s the first time in my entire life I’ve done that! I was worried about my voice. I have terrible asthma and everyone in the audience was smoking at a gig the played in Paris, so I had to cut that show early, I felt kinda awful!
Are you looking forward to the headline London gigs next week?
Yeah, I’m so glad we have three dates and that last night wasn’t it! We’ve played at the Troubadour in London before, it’s such a cool little place. I know that for a long time we’ve had a fanbase growing here actually, mainly from MySpace I think. The record’s out in February, so these shows are just us saying hello really.
Do you have any more UK dates planned?
The thing about touring is that you don’t really know where you’re playing until a few weeks before really.
Do you like that spontaneity of travelling around quite last minute?
I do, yeah, which is funny cos I’ve never been a spontaneous person. I’m the one who’s like “hey guys, what do you want to do at the weekend?” on a Tuesday and then my friends only decide on the Friday night! It’s kinda nice, I just throw my hands in the air and go “ok, I’ll be there!”.
Your music is featured on the soundtrack to the movie Dan In Real Life, starring Steve Carell – what’s your view on your music being used in films and on TV shows?
I think it’s such a brilliant thing, there’s so many great bands who don’t get played on the radio and that I’ve discovered through watching shows or films.
Would you allow your music to be used in adverts?
It depends what the advertisement was for I think. There’s been a real trend over the past couple of years towards quite artistic advertisements, so if I was a fan of the product and the advertisement then I think it could be fun, yeah. It’s just all about getting your music heard by as many people as possible really.
When did you first start writing music and what instruments can you play?
I was 14. I play the piano and I’m learning guitar, I’ve been writing a lot of the second album on guitar. I’m also learning the accordion which is really cool, but it’s so heavy! Like, really heavy! But it’s such a cool sound.
Are there any other instruments you’d like to play?
I think the harp would be awesome and maybe flute. And drums, but I’ve tried before and I’m really terrible!
What music are you listening to at the moment?
I’ve been listening to a lot of Bright Eyes, Death Cab, Sigur Ros always, Kings Of Convenience, Camera Obscura, Philip Glass, The Mamas & The Papas…
I heard that you were influenced by classic 1950's television too - what sort of shows in particular?
Oh, shows like I Love Lucy, Bewitched, I Dream Of Jeannie… They were all on when I was growing up. There’s a film called Girl On A Motorcycle too that really influenced me. I love ‘60s French and British cinema, and also old cartoons.
Last album you bought:
Sufjan Stevens: ‘Michigan’
Last band you saw live:
Distortion Felix.
Last book you read:
I’m in the middle of ‘The Fountainhead’ by Ayn Rand.
Last DVD you bought:
The Royal Tenenbaums.
Last movie you saw the cinema:
The Darjeeling Limited - it has got a plot, but it's more of a mood movie, it's really good.
Interview with Alison Sudol, 23rd November 2007.
myspace.com/afinefrenzy
Written by Will Martin.
