INTERVIEW: Allison Veltz
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Photo credit: Justin Key
We got to chat with the lovely country singer Allison Veltz about her journey as an artist, and her new record Wonderland. Read our interview to find out more!
For anyone who hasn’t listened to you music, how would you describe it and what makes your sound unique?
I grew up with a drummer for a dad so there's a big emphasis on rhythm in my music. Also, I absolutely love bluegrass instrumentation. It's a vibrant record. I hope to make you smile, think and feel good.
After growing up in a musical family, and being in a band with your parents. What would you say your favorite thing about being a musician is?
Music is a powerful thing. It can change your mind, your heart, your day. It does that to me. My favorite thing about being a musician is the privilege of being a part of someone's mind, heart and day…even just for 3 minutes and 23 seconds.
Your record, Wonderland is a reflection of life growing up and you moving around constantly. Does any specific town have more of an effect on the inspiration of songs more than other places you’ve lived?
Actually, no. The through line of the album is more about the desire to take root somewhere. It has a traveling feeling to it. It'd be a great road trip record :)
What is your favorite song off the record and why?
“Runaway.” It’s the first song I wrote for the album. It set the bar for how raw and honest the whole record needed to be. From then on I'd write songs and compare them to “Runaway." The whirlwind of all the moving in my life seemed to settle down after writing “Runaway." And the rest of the album followed.
You co-wrote all eleven songs off your record. What is your writing and recording process like?
I moved to Nashville in January 2011 and in my mind, I’d arrive in Music City and we’d go right into the studio, record and release, a record. I wanted instant gratification. Instead, I started writing. It took me awhile to find my voice and to let myself write my life story. But when it did, it started pouring out of me. The experience in the studio was much the same. My producers Mark Bright, Dan Muckala and I were very much in tune with how every song should be treated, how it should sound, and we all took the time we needed to let the music fully develop. I'm am SO lucky to have that kind of synergy with a production team.
I know you put a lot of heart and soul into this album. What do you want people to take from Wonderland when they hear it?
Wonderland is an album. It's a complete thought and not a collection of random songs. Overall it's an uplifting record. I'd love for people to see this album in their iTunes and see lightness. Not just as opposed to darkness but as opposed to heavyness as well.
You just released a lyric video to your single “Bright Side.” I love that you have a campaign that donates for every view watched. What gave you the idea to do that for the video?
I am hopelessly flawed. I fail at "the bright side" everyday. So I knew the video shouldn't concentrate on me :) A dog however lives in the moment. They seem to effortless wag no matter what. Even if they're lost. I wanted the "Bright Side" video's focus to genuinely reflect the bright side so a pooch was a natural choice. The campaign idea came after we realized that not only is Penny "wandering the streets of Nashville" in the video. She was found "wandering the streets of Nashville" when she was rescued. I'm lucky to have a generous team that shares my love for animals. Everyone hopped on board to donate and every view of the video donates more. I’m hoping to always help animals, in particular dogs.
I know you have been doing a lot of radio tours and playing shows earlier this year What would you say is your favorite part of performing live?
The people. It's what makes this WHOLE process make sense. When you're recording you sing to a microphone, when you're writing a song you sing to the air. When you perform to sing to people. It's the most important thing to me.
Anything else you would like to add? Thank you!!
Check out my vlogs on YouTube. Dog vlogs, musis vlogs, random vlogs. Also, follow me on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook for updates regarding shows and the release of Wonderland.
