Howdy Barrett,
I've always thought Brooklyn sounded like the coolest place to live.
How do you like it? What are some neat things about it?

No problem at all in chatting about The Alice Rose during recovery. It gets my mind of off things!
& they provoke happy thoughts. 

Looking forward to your article! Jennifer

________________________________

Date: Thu, 10 Jan 2008 14:55:40 -0500
From: barriticus@gmail.com
To: bleufrenchlaundry@hotmail.com
Subject: Re: Interview for Austin Monthly Regarding The Alice Rose

Jennifer-

Thanks for the great responses; these are perfect, and I appreciate you taking the time to do this in the midst of recovering from surgery.

Unfortunately, I just moved out to Brooklyn a few months ago, so I won't make the benefit concert, but I appreciate the invitation.

Thanks again,

Barrett

On Jan 10, 2008 4:22 AM, j marchand <bleufrenchlaundry@hotmail.com> wrote:



Barrett ~

I really hope this isn't too late. Yesterday was a whole lot more than I bargained for with the surgical procedure & all, so I'm finally sending you some answers to your questions.

Actually I should address the benefit this Friday. Yes they are the very first band I consider to book any gig, seriously the very first. Not only do I adore their music, but I adore their professionalism, friendliness, & positivity. & so I invited them to play the rock party benefit. I first met them thru a benefit I threw in April 2005 for Prevent Child Abuse Texas. They were only a 3 piece then - the original core of JoDee, Sean, & Chris - & I'd never heard them play but kept hearing such great things about them, their sound.
Another benefit gig of mine they played was this past August, the 1967 Hoot Happening, celebrating the music of that year for the 40th Anniversary of all things '67. From that massive event a donation was made to one of their heroes, Roky Erickson - the Roky Erickson Trust. So yea, big hearts in these talented boys! For sure.

Answers to your questions:

1) You know, The Alice Rose doesn't really strike me as an "Austin-y" band.
There is something very polished, very ready, & very exciting about their sound.
I've seen a good cross section of bands in Austin, there are very few that excite me as much as The Alice Rose. My experience w/ watching Austin bands is that I find myself filling the holes in my mind as to what the band needs to make them a better act or better sound. With The Alice Rose, I find no holes, I'm never in want of something else...there's a balance to their sound, songwriting, & energy behind it that is very satisfying.
It scratches an itch you didn't know you had, or perhaps forgot back in your youth.

2) I think it's this magical balance that I speak of that makes them accessible to the world outside Austin.
Magic is too difficult to define, you know, that certain something you can't put your finger on, something that other bands can't possess & record labels can't manufacture. The melodies & composition are so infectious - somehow I keep refering to them in my mind as "ready made". That actually is one of the very first things I said when describing the band to someone after my first attendance at one of their gigs. "Ready made". Just waiting to thrill everyone, you just have to find them. I also think that their wide base of appeal is because of the positivity of the vibe in their music. Even if the lyrics drift you into the world of it's prose, and whether the subject is of melancholy or longing, it just makes you feel good irregardless.

3) The only band I've ever found myself comparing them to is The Beatles.
Initially I thought it was the fact that the songs were such supremely wonderous shots of energy, w/ melodies you can't shake. But then I realized it was also the excitement that they inspire w/ their tunes.
I've found myself comparing this excitement to the thrill I had when I first heard The Beatles.
You want to hear more & more, because it just feels so good. Driving good vibes. You just can't wait for the next album, & the chance to see them live again.

I sure hope this makes it in time!

If you're out Friday night, you should stop by Ruta Maya & check out The Alice Rose's set.
I can't wait! It will lift my spirits 10 fold, & I am ready.
They go on at 11:30pm.

Lots luck on your article. I'm sure it will be fab!

Best ~ Jen, Bleu French Laundry Productions


________________________________

Date: Thu, 3 Jan 2008 14:33:17 -0500
From: barriticus@gmail.com
To: bleufrenchlaundry@hotmail.com
Subject: Interview for Austin Monthly Regarding The Alice Rose

Jennifer-

My name is Barrett Brown, and I've been asked by Austin Monthly to a profile piece on The Alice Rose for the magazine's March issue. I'm hoping to get a quote or two from somebody who's worked with the band in some capacity, and they mentioned your name; I understand you've booked them at a few venues around Austin. Would you be willing to get back to me some time in the next couple of days (I've got a deadline on the tenth)? You'll find a couple of questions below:

1. Aside from being based in Austin, does Alice Rose strike you as a particularly "Austin-y" band (assuming you believe that any such thing exists)?

2. What do you think it is about the band that's allowed them to break out of the Austin scene while so many others struggle to do so?

3. I've seen the band compared to a lot of disparate groups ranging in chronology from the '60s to the '90s. Who would you compare them to, if you had to choose just one band?

Thanks in advance, and let me know if you have any questions about anything.

Thanks again,

Barrett Brown
512-560-2302

_________________________________________________________________
Share life as it happens with the new Windows Live.
http://www.windowslive.com/share.html?ocid=TXT_TAGHM_Wave2_sharelife_012008

_________________________________________________________________
Share life as it happens with the new Windows Live.
http://www.windowslive.com/share.html?ocid=TXT_TAGHM_Wave2_sharelife_012008