| Michelle Malone: Indie Music’s Daughter of the South Looks at the Past, Revels in the Now and Ponders the Future Interviewed By: Sandra T. Molina |
| ©Indietude.com 2008 |
It’s been two decades since Michelle Malone, a native
daughter of the south and she has the southern drawl
to prove it, came upon the independent music Scene
although she had a brief foray into the mainstream
music scene, Malone is one of those artists who have
managed to make a living performing her music
without compromising her artistic vision. She is a
maverick known for her incredible songs, her no
bullshit attitude, and her hard drivin’ live shows which
highlight her artistic range that spans across multiple
genres of Rock, Blues, Country and even Gospel.
Malone graciously took time out of her summer tour
schedule to speak with Indietude about the past two
decades, where her music is now and what she hopes
the future brings. If the next 20 years are anything like
the past, music lovers will be treated to more of the
best feel-it-in-your-gut, revving-up-the-pulse rock ‘n’
roll.
Indietude: You recently put out a 20 year
retrospective, how was that experience looking back
at years of your life’s work? How did you decide which
songs to include on the CD?
Michelle Malone: It was really weird. It’s sort of like a
[milestone] birthday, you just can’t believe it. It was
really strange at first, and then I got used to the idea
(laughs). Some friends of mine have been trying to
talk me into it for several years – to just put a “best of”
out. I always pooh poohed the idea over the years,
and then I finally thought, ‘well, this might be as good
a time as any.’ I just tried to pick the songs that either
I still keep in the set list or that people request or have
requested a lot in the past. I really don’t have any
other way to gauge it. It’s not like I have gold records
for all of the songs, so…
Indietude: Well, you should.
MM: Thanks for saying that.
Indietude: You’re welcome.
MM: I also tried to just pick some of my favorites as
well. I didn’t want to put any songs on there that I
didn’t like. I guess I like most of my songs (laughs).
But, I didn’t want to put any on there that didn’t feel
like they belonged. It was a very emotional process,
frankly, and I can’t really explain it scientifically or as
if it will make sense to anyone else other than me.
Indietude: Are there songs that maybe you’ve out
grown or you’re not in that place anymore and not
connected to those feelings conveyed in those
songs anymore?
MM: (Laughs) There’s a ton of them. I don’t know
why or how or when that works. I only know that
sometimes there are songs that you just outgrow
and move on from. I mean, they’re still your songs
and you love ‘em but you don’t want to sing them
anymore. They’re like people. You have friends that
you loved dearly in high school, but if you saw them
now, you wouldn’t know what to say. Twenty years
is a long time, and I’m very different now than I was
20 or even 10 years ago.
Indietude: Did the passage of time sort of creep
up on you?
MM: Yeah, it totally crept up on me!
Indietude: You were in the moment of making
music all those years.
MM: Yeah, It’s been a really surprising task frankly
[looking back on 20 years of work].
Indietude: Along the same lines of looking back
on your songs, can you touch upon some of the
positives and negatives of the music business as
a whole?
MM: It would be so hard for me to sum that up in
one fell swoop because the industry has changed
so much. Just look at the technology. When I
started it was vinyl and cassette. So that part of it
has changed incredibly; it’s ridiculous.
Indietude: With the advances in technology, has it
helped you develop your songs more fully once you
get in the studio?
MM: Sure, you find ways to make it all work for you.
You make friends with the technology – you either
keep changing or you die. You just can’t keep living
in the past in any respect.
Indietude: Speaking of technology, with the
explosion of the Internet as a tool for artists to
reach a broader audience, did you embrace it
right away?
MM: I’ve had a Web site since the mid ‘90s. I
remember when I was in Ban De Solei, we had
some kind of Website with somebody.
Indietude: So, you saw the opportunity it
afforded artists to reach out to an audience
they may not have otherwise?
MM: I can’t really say that I saw anything in it. I
didn’t trust it at first. It was just one extra thing for
me to worry about. Somebody started a Web site
for me. All I had to say was, yeah, it’s okay if you
do that.
Indietude: Putting something out there in your name?
MM: Yeah, then lo and behold, it became a big deal
several years later. I didn’t really have the foresight
to know that it was going to be all that.
Indietude: Now what do you think about the
Internet and enhancing accessibility to your fans?
MM: I don’t think of it a tool. I just kind of try to
answer my mail as it comes in. I like meeting people
who like my music. I like to meet people who love
music. I enjoy speaking to people online and
answering my e-mail and talking about guitars
and all that good stuff.
Indietude: In the past few years it seems that
you’ve reached out more than ever to work with
other artists such as playing a number of shows
recently with Garrison Starr and The Moaners in
the near future. How did that come about?
MM: They’re just friends and whoever is going
out on the road. If it works out with each other’s
schedule then it’s great. If it doesn’t, then you
look for something else. It’s like trying to meet
your friends for dinner only it lasts for two weeks
(laughs). Instead of, ‘Can you make it at 8 o’ clock
Tuesday’ it’s ‘Can you make it for the month of
June?’ It’s just a good time. We not only get to
enjoy each other’s company on the road, we
share the load too. It helps everybody.
Indietude: Do you get something out of it
artistically such as being able to pick the brain
of another songwriter? Maybe comparing and
contrasting how someone else approaches
songwriting?
MM: Oh yeah, definitely. If I listen to something,
it’s going to influence me somehow – good or bad.
I’m going to soak it up, and I’m either going to spit
it back out or know that that’s not for me. Either
way it’s going to have an effect on me.
Indietude: Is that an annoyance or do you
embrace it?
MM: I really don’t think about it. It’s nothing I do.
Indietude: Unless a reporter asks you questions
about it?
MM: Yeah, because it’s art. I don’t want to say
that I don’t use a lot of thought because I do.
But, it’s less cerebral and more subconscious
or heartfelt. Passion doesn’t necessarily come
from your brain, so you just go with it. I just go
where the songs take me.
Continued
daughter of the south and she has the southern drawl
to prove it, came upon the independent music Scene
although she had a brief foray into the mainstream
music scene, Malone is one of those artists who have
managed to make a living performing her music
without compromising her artistic vision. She is a
maverick known for her incredible songs, her no
bullshit attitude, and her hard drivin’ live shows which
highlight her artistic range that spans across multiple
genres of Rock, Blues, Country and even Gospel.
Malone graciously took time out of her summer tour
schedule to speak with Indietude about the past two
decades, where her music is now and what she hopes
the future brings. If the next 20 years are anything like
the past, music lovers will be treated to more of the
best feel-it-in-your-gut, revving-up-the-pulse rock ‘n’
roll.
Indietude: You recently put out a 20 year
retrospective, how was that experience looking back
at years of your life’s work? How did you decide which
songs to include on the CD?
Michelle Malone: It was really weird. It’s sort of like a
[milestone] birthday, you just can’t believe it. It was
really strange at first, and then I got used to the idea
(laughs). Some friends of mine have been trying to
talk me into it for several years – to just put a “best of”
out. I always pooh poohed the idea over the years,
and then I finally thought, ‘well, this might be as good
a time as any.’ I just tried to pick the songs that either
I still keep in the set list or that people request or have
requested a lot in the past. I really don’t have any
other way to gauge it. It’s not like I have gold records
for all of the songs, so…
Indietude: Well, you should.
MM: Thanks for saying that.
Indietude: You’re welcome.
MM: I also tried to just pick some of my favorites as
well. I didn’t want to put any songs on there that I
didn’t like. I guess I like most of my songs (laughs).
But, I didn’t want to put any on there that didn’t feel
like they belonged. It was a very emotional process,
frankly, and I can’t really explain it scientifically or as
if it will make sense to anyone else other than me.
Indietude: Are there songs that maybe you’ve out
grown or you’re not in that place anymore and not
connected to those feelings conveyed in those
songs anymore?
MM: (Laughs) There’s a ton of them. I don’t know
why or how or when that works. I only know that
sometimes there are songs that you just outgrow
and move on from. I mean, they’re still your songs
and you love ‘em but you don’t want to sing them
anymore. They’re like people. You have friends that
you loved dearly in high school, but if you saw them
now, you wouldn’t know what to say. Twenty years
is a long time, and I’m very different now than I was
20 or even 10 years ago.
Indietude: Did the passage of time sort of creep
up on you?
MM: Yeah, it totally crept up on me!
Indietude: You were in the moment of making
music all those years.
MM: Yeah, It’s been a really surprising task frankly
[looking back on 20 years of work].
Indietude: Along the same lines of looking back
on your songs, can you touch upon some of the
positives and negatives of the music business as
a whole?
MM: It would be so hard for me to sum that up in
one fell swoop because the industry has changed
so much. Just look at the technology. When I
started it was vinyl and cassette. So that part of it
has changed incredibly; it’s ridiculous.
Indietude: With the advances in technology, has it
helped you develop your songs more fully once you
get in the studio?
MM: Sure, you find ways to make it all work for you.
You make friends with the technology – you either
keep changing or you die. You just can’t keep living
in the past in any respect.
Indietude: Speaking of technology, with the
explosion of the Internet as a tool for artists to
reach a broader audience, did you embrace it
right away?
MM: I’ve had a Web site since the mid ‘90s. I
remember when I was in Ban De Solei, we had
some kind of Website with somebody.
Indietude: So, you saw the opportunity it
afforded artists to reach out to an audience
they may not have otherwise?
MM: I can’t really say that I saw anything in it. I
didn’t trust it at first. It was just one extra thing for
me to worry about. Somebody started a Web site
for me. All I had to say was, yeah, it’s okay if you
do that.
Indietude: Putting something out there in your name?
MM: Yeah, then lo and behold, it became a big deal
several years later. I didn’t really have the foresight
to know that it was going to be all that.
Indietude: Now what do you think about the
Internet and enhancing accessibility to your fans?
MM: I don’t think of it a tool. I just kind of try to
answer my mail as it comes in. I like meeting people
who like my music. I like to meet people who love
music. I enjoy speaking to people online and
answering my e-mail and talking about guitars
and all that good stuff.
Indietude: In the past few years it seems that
you’ve reached out more than ever to work with
other artists such as playing a number of shows
recently with Garrison Starr and The Moaners in
the near future. How did that come about?
MM: They’re just friends and whoever is going
out on the road. If it works out with each other’s
schedule then it’s great. If it doesn’t, then you
look for something else. It’s like trying to meet
your friends for dinner only it lasts for two weeks
(laughs). Instead of, ‘Can you make it at 8 o’ clock
Tuesday’ it’s ‘Can you make it for the month of
June?’ It’s just a good time. We not only get to
enjoy each other’s company on the road, we
share the load too. It helps everybody.
Indietude: Do you get something out of it
artistically such as being able to pick the brain
of another songwriter? Maybe comparing and
contrasting how someone else approaches
songwriting?
MM: Oh yeah, definitely. If I listen to something,
it’s going to influence me somehow – good or bad.
I’m going to soak it up, and I’m either going to spit
it back out or know that that’s not for me. Either
way it’s going to have an effect on me.
Indietude: Is that an annoyance or do you
embrace it?
MM: I really don’t think about it. It’s nothing I do.
Indietude: Unless a reporter asks you questions
about it?
MM: Yeah, because it’s art. I don’t want to say
that I don’t use a lot of thought because I do.
But, it’s less cerebral and more subconscious
or heartfelt. Passion doesn’t necessarily come
from your brain, so you just go with it. I just go
where the songs take me.
Continued
Continued
Indietude: Let’s talk about the upcoming CD.
What’s the title and when is it coming out?
MM: It’s due out October 10 and it’s called
Sugarfoot. It’s very mucha blues record more
so than any record I’ve put out.
Indietude: How long did it take to make it?
MM: It’s hard to say because I made it in pieces
over a long period of time. I would tour for two
weeks and then go into the studio for two days
and then tour for three months and then go into
the studio for two days and so on. In some form
or another I’ve been working on it for two or three
years.
Indietude: Was it a conscious decision to produce
a more blues record or it was it that these were the
batch of songs that came to you during this period
of time?
MM: If I’d been thinking about it a little more, I
would’ve not have done it so piece mealed because
it ended up taking longer in the end, oddly enough.
I wouldn’t highly recommend it to record that way.
And I hope that I don’t end up doing that again.
But, the bottom line is I think I made a damn good
record that I love, personally, and I’m pretty excited
about.
Indietude: Who did you work with on this CD? Did
you bring in new players or the same group of
people you’ve worked with before?
MM: A mixture of new and old. I did some of the CD
in the same studio and with the same people as I did
Stompin’ Ground. And some of it was done in a
completely different studio with a whole bunch of
other people. So it’s a bit of old friends and new
friends.
Indietude: How is the new material going over with
the audiences at your shows?
MM: I’ve been playing most of these songs for the
better part of two years.
Indietude: While recording the CD?
MM: Yeah, I get excited about new songs.
Indietude: Does an audience reaction to a certain
song influence you and how you approach it in the
studio?
MM: Some songs are better live and some are
better on the record. Especially if it’s a big blues
song or a big rock song and I’m traveling solo,
some don’t translate. At this point, I’d like to think
I know which songs work or not live.
Indietude: Can you touch upon some themes of
the songs on the new CD?
MM: It’s a blues-rock record [but] not in a Stevie
Ray Vaughn respect, but more like a Rolling Stones
record. In a lot of ways it reminds me of Let It Bleed
or Beggar’s Banquet or Exile on Main Street just
because I love those records so much. I’ve really
soaked up those over the years. It’s light-hearted.
It’s about having a good time – partying. I really
needed a break in my life.
Indietude: From what?
MM: Things were just getting a little too heavy, and
I personally needed a break from the seriousness
and responsibility of being an adult. I just kind of
dove back into my childhood and started writing
songs about sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll, frankly.
It’s a damn good time. It’s not literal, but ya know
what I’m saying – it’s a damn rock ‘n’ roll record.
I’m not trying to reinvent the wheel or get in the
Top 40. I’m just trying to have a good time.
Indietude: It’s a record that you’d put in the car
stereo and listen to while out driving.
MM: I would think so, but when I’ve done that to
hear the mixing and check it out, I’ve found myself
speeding way too fast.
Indietude: So, these are high octane songs?
MM: Some of them are. And there are a couple of
heart-wrenching songs on there. Some of the songs
are well-written rock songs and some are just three-
chord silly little blues anthems.
Indietude: Any ballads?
MM: One or two, but that’s about it. I’ve just really
tried to lighten my load on this record.
Indietude: When you say lighting your load, do
you mean life in general, and this attitude is
reflected in the songs you’re producing right now?
MM: (Pause) Maybe. I’d like to think that I’m a little
more light-hearted and having a better time. I’ve
actually been feeling really great and just having a
lot of fun for a long time now. I think it’s reflected in
the music. I’m not ‘oh woe is me’ and trying to right
the wrongs of the world. (Laughs) I’m just not that
unhappy.
Indietude: That’s great – very glad to hear that.
Since we’ve talked about the past and the present,
it’s only fitting this interview ends by asking what
would like to accomplish in say the next five years?
MM: When the new record comes out, I’d really like
it to reestablish my presence on the musical radar,
especially overseas. I’d really like to get more of an
international presence. I’m going to try to work that
angle. Keep writing great songs with other people
and collaborate more. I’ve been writing with a lot of
different friends – old and new – like Antigone
Rising and Kristen Hall. That’s something I’ve
really been getting into, and I can see myself doing
that in the next five years. And, ya know keep on
keepin’ on.
Check out more about Michelle Malone
http://www.michellemalone.com/
Indietude: Let’s talk about the upcoming CD.
What’s the title and when is it coming out?
MM: It’s due out October 10 and it’s called
Sugarfoot. It’s very mucha blues record more
so than any record I’ve put out.
Indietude: How long did it take to make it?
MM: It’s hard to say because I made it in pieces
over a long period of time. I would tour for two
weeks and then go into the studio for two days
and then tour for three months and then go into
the studio for two days and so on. In some form
or another I’ve been working on it for two or three
years.
Indietude: Was it a conscious decision to produce
a more blues record or it was it that these were the
batch of songs that came to you during this period
of time?
MM: If I’d been thinking about it a little more, I
would’ve not have done it so piece mealed because
it ended up taking longer in the end, oddly enough.
I wouldn’t highly recommend it to record that way.
And I hope that I don’t end up doing that again.
But, the bottom line is I think I made a damn good
record that I love, personally, and I’m pretty excited
about.
Indietude: Who did you work with on this CD? Did
you bring in new players or the same group of
people you’ve worked with before?
MM: A mixture of new and old. I did some of the CD
in the same studio and with the same people as I did
Stompin’ Ground. And some of it was done in a
completely different studio with a whole bunch of
other people. So it’s a bit of old friends and new
friends.
Indietude: How is the new material going over with
the audiences at your shows?
MM: I’ve been playing most of these songs for the
better part of two years.
Indietude: While recording the CD?
MM: Yeah, I get excited about new songs.
Indietude: Does an audience reaction to a certain
song influence you and how you approach it in the
studio?
MM: Some songs are better live and some are
better on the record. Especially if it’s a big blues
song or a big rock song and I’m traveling solo,
some don’t translate. At this point, I’d like to think
I know which songs work or not live.
Indietude: Can you touch upon some themes of
the songs on the new CD?
MM: It’s a blues-rock record [but] not in a Stevie
Ray Vaughn respect, but more like a Rolling Stones
record. In a lot of ways it reminds me of Let It Bleed
or Beggar’s Banquet or Exile on Main Street just
because I love those records so much. I’ve really
soaked up those over the years. It’s light-hearted.
It’s about having a good time – partying. I really
needed a break in my life.
Indietude: From what?
MM: Things were just getting a little too heavy, and
I personally needed a break from the seriousness
and responsibility of being an adult. I just kind of
dove back into my childhood and started writing
songs about sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll, frankly.
It’s a damn good time. It’s not literal, but ya know
what I’m saying – it’s a damn rock ‘n’ roll record.
I’m not trying to reinvent the wheel or get in the
Top 40. I’m just trying to have a good time.
Indietude: It’s a record that you’d put in the car
stereo and listen to while out driving.
MM: I would think so, but when I’ve done that to
hear the mixing and check it out, I’ve found myself
speeding way too fast.
Indietude: So, these are high octane songs?
MM: Some of them are. And there are a couple of
heart-wrenching songs on there. Some of the songs
are well-written rock songs and some are just three-
chord silly little blues anthems.
Indietude: Any ballads?
MM: One or two, but that’s about it. I’ve just really
tried to lighten my load on this record.
Indietude: When you say lighting your load, do
you mean life in general, and this attitude is
reflected in the songs you’re producing right now?
MM: (Pause) Maybe. I’d like to think that I’m a little
more light-hearted and having a better time. I’ve
actually been feeling really great and just having a
lot of fun for a long time now. I think it’s reflected in
the music. I’m not ‘oh woe is me’ and trying to right
the wrongs of the world. (Laughs) I’m just not that
unhappy.
Indietude: That’s great – very glad to hear that.
Since we’ve talked about the past and the present,
it’s only fitting this interview ends by asking what
would like to accomplish in say the next five years?
MM: When the new record comes out, I’d really like
it to reestablish my presence on the musical radar,
especially overseas. I’d really like to get more of an
international presence. I’m going to try to work that
angle. Keep writing great songs with other people
and collaborate more. I’ve been writing with a lot of
different friends – old and new – like Antigone
Rising and Kristen Hall. That’s something I’ve
really been getting into, and I can see myself doing
that in the next five years. And, ya know keep on
keepin’ on.
Check out more about Michelle Malone
http://www.michellemalone.com/
Editor’s Note:
Even though the interview with Michelle happened over a
year ago, I think it’s still timely. It involves the release of her
greatest hits CD and is a retrospective on her career and
complete body of work. Since that time, Michelle has
released ‘Sugarfoot’ which has been widely acclaimed as
one of her best. It was considered for a Grammy under the
contemporary blues category. Unfortunately it didn’t make
the final cut. Michelle is a great artist – musician, songwriter,
singer and performer. If I miss her show when she comes to
town, I want to kick myself. So pay attention - she deserves
it. Just forget the date and enjoy.
Even though the interview with Michelle happened over a
year ago, I think it’s still timely. It involves the release of her
greatest hits CD and is a retrospective on her career and
complete body of work. Since that time, Michelle has
released ‘Sugarfoot’ which has been widely acclaimed as
one of her best. It was considered for a Grammy under the
contemporary blues category. Unfortunately it didn’t make
the final cut. Michelle is a great artist – musician, songwriter,
singer and performer. If I miss her show when she comes to
town, I want to kick myself. So pay attention - she deserves
it. Just forget the date and enjoy.
| Photographs courtesy of Sandra T. Molina |
| Photograph courtesy of Sandra T. Molina |
| Sandra T. Molina |
| Sandra T. Molina |
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