Written interview with West Coast vocalist Allison August – August Moon
Jazz Blues European Union: Thank you for taking the time to have this interview with Jazz Blues EU. Tell us about your music. When did you start performing?
Allison August: – I started performing when I was about 13 years old singing in church. My mother played the piano to accompany me.
What do you consider to be your hometown and how does that affect your music?
I live in Southern California by the beach. it’s very peaceful and gives me space to create.Being so close to LA gives me access to some of the world’s most incredible musicians.
What performers have been your inspiration?
I grew up listening to many different genres of music. I listened to Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Bonnie Raitt, Linda Ronstadt, Little Feat, And lots of classical and jazz.
What do you find most challenging about being an independent artist in today’s music industry?
The most challenging thing about being an independent artist is being able to manage scheduling, booking,, and promoting, while writing and creating.
What do you base your success on?
I base my success on writing and releasing good music and putting on great shows.
Can you talk about your experiences collaborating with other artists or musicians? How does it influence your creative process?
I love collaborating with other artists. it’s always fascinating to get someone else’s input and interpretations of things l’ve written. I co-write quite a bit with other musicians. I’ve been lucky enough to write with Dino Soldo, David J carpenter, Paul Barrerre, Tony Braunagel ,Jeff Silbar and Greg Sutton. Working with other artists brings new flavor to to my ideas and elevates the the music and sometimes takes it in a completely unexpected direction. It always makes things even more interesting.
What was your latest musical release?
My latest release is titled AUGUST MOON on Momojo Records.
Do you have any news to share? Could you share the story behind your latest new CD Allison August – August Moon and what inspired its creation?
I met Grammy award winning producer Tony Braunagal when I went to see Little Feat perform.
I was sitting backstage with Coco Montoya (who played on my last album holy water), Paul Barerre and Jerry Manuel when Tony walked in. The guys all told Tony he needed to produce an album for me. That was the beginning of August Moon. Tony introduced me to some amazing artists featured on this new album. I got to work with Mike Finnegan, Bob Rlaub, Sugaray Rayford and many others.
How does your latest album fit into your creative path? Is this a goal you wanted to achieve?
My goal in creating an album is always to create songs that move people as the ideas move me.
How do you approach the process of songwriting, and are there any specific themes or emotions you tend to explore in your music?
Sometimes I hear a phrase or a conversation that becomes a song in my head and and I work at shaping it into something meaningful that strikes the heartstrings.
As an indie musician, how do you navigate the balance between creative freedom and commercial appeal?
Having complete creative control is one of the main benefits of being an independent artist. I never worry about what is commercial. I just create what I like. Everyone likes different things. so those who like my music come along for the ride and those who don’t wait for the next bus.
What role does technology and social media play in promoting your music and connecting with your audience?
I’m always more focused on creating the art itself as opposed to how it will be promoted. MoJo records has been great in guiding me in social media and put together a team who are far Better at that stuff than me.
Could you describe a memorable live performance experience or tour that has had a lasting impact on you and your music?
The very first time I played with my current band around 2014 | knew that this combination of players and the energy between all of us was pure magic.
In an era of streaming platforms, how do you feel about the changing landscape of music consumption and its impact on independent musicians?
In some respects it has made it easier for the independent artist to put their art out there but comes with some consequences with regards to the financial component .
Musicians often have a close relationship with their fanbase. How do you engage with your fans and build a dedicated community around your music?
I do a lot of live shows , of course I use Instagram, Facebook and my website and of course doing interviews like this! I have a tight network among musicians in SoCal and we help each other get the word out.
How can fans find you? Lastly, please share some final words with the fans.
They can go to my website https://www.allisonaugust.com/ and find me on Facebook and Instagram
I write what inspires me, and hope to spread light, love and music to listeners.
By Olivia Peevas
