Music Now Spotlight

by Isaac Davis Junior, BGS, MBA


Allison Gray

Indie Singer/Songwriter Allison Gray is a superstar in the making. She sings and performs with such passion and heart that her music is a sure win. I love her vocal and smart & sexy lyrics. One of my favorite tracks is titled ‘Be Bad” that clearly shows the musical talents of this musician. Want to learn more about Allison Gray? Check out this ultra cool spotlight and find out. Enjoy!

Isaac: It’s an amazing time to be a DIY artist/performer/band/musician. What do you enjoy the most about being an indie performer?

Allison: The freedom that comes with being an indie performer is amazing. You can really take risks artistically that you may not be allowed to take otherwise. Since I am a songwriter, I love being able to work through my songs and develop them in ways that seem more natural and less forced. There are so many avenues now for independent artists, that I feel lucky to be a part of the industry right now. You can open your own doors instead of waiting for someone to open them for you.

Isaac: If you had an opportunity to sign with a major label, would you sign now knowing you may have to give up some of what you have build up over the years about you in the process?

Allison: Of course, I would love to have that opportunity and that support behind me. It would have to be the right situation and the label would have to really get me as an artist. I'm not interested in trying to change myself to fit into some mold that is predetermined for me. A lot of labels right now are into copying an artist that is already out instead of nurturing and developing an artist that is unique and could bring something different to the scene. I do understand that compromise is necessary when you are talking about global commercial success. That would be on a case by case basis for me.

Isaac: I remembered Simon Cowell from American Idol talking about the “it” Factor that makes a musician/band stand out. What do you think is your “it” factor that makes you stand out from others in the music business?

Allison: My "it" factor if the fact that I know myself 100% and I have solid confidence in my music. I am not trying to be anyone else, and I am not trying to compete with anyone else. I have a unique story to tell in a unique way. When I record or go on stage, I am grounded by that knowledge and it shines.

Isaac: Why should music fans listen to your music? Describe what they are going to get when they listen to your music?

Allison: Fans should listen to my music if they want to hear something honest, emotional, and fun. I talk about love, breakups, and dealing with all of the emotions that go with that. My songs tell the story of a young woman going though life, and her search for true love. Many people can relate to my mistakes or learn from them. They can also share the joys as well. Some of my songs are sultry and sassy, while others come from a more vulnerable place. It really all depends on your mood. Either way, the songs will get stuck in your head.

Isaac: Briefly describe your humble beginnings that led you to where you are at musically now.

Allison: I started playing piano when I was 3. I grew up singing in church and did a lot of acting and musical theater as a kid. I have always been performing in some way. My family moved around a lot, so I was always having to make new friends and readjust. Then my parents divorced when I was 11, and I moved to the Seattle area with my mom and sister. That was when I began to take singing seriously. I trained in opera and did a lot of competitions all over the country. It was very intense, but I learned how to have a thick skin and how to work hard for what I wanted.

After high school I moved to California to go to college, but I dropped out after 1 year to pursue music full time. I started writing a lot of songs, and I thought it was the best time to pursue my dreams in the music industry. I was signed with an independent label in San Diego for 2 years, but their funding ran out and the label shut down. After that, I moved to LA and spent a couple of years writing for a lot of different artists. I bounced around in several different production/development deals that never really panned out. So I decided to takes things into my own hands and release Off My Mind independently. It has been a great experience.

Isaac: You have some strong iconic influences. Of these influences, which artist/band do you relate to the most and why?

Allison: I relate to Freddie Mercury a lot, because he would bare his soul with every song and pour every ounce of himself into his performances. I can be exhausted sometimes from singing 1 song, because I am putting everything into it. Our writing styles are both very transparent and they reveal a lot about our lives and emotions.

Isaac: Do you feel that Indie music gets the respect it deserves? Why or why not?

Allison: I feel that there is a large audience out there that craves indie music and loves to discover new artists. It can be hard, because anyone with a computer can release music and sell it along with all of the "established artists". So it can be hard to sift through all of the material out there. In that respect, I think that there are a lot of people who may not give it as much respect. The mainstream media can be very close minded when it comes to taking risks on indie music, and therefore may not give it the attention it deserves.

Isaac: If you could change one thing about the music business, what would it be and why?

Allison: I would change the need for every artist to be so similar. I will listen to the radio and not know who any of the songs are performed by. They all sound the same.

Isaac: What type of feedbacks have you been receiving about your music from fans and music critics?

Allison: The feedback has been really great. People are pleased with the diversity on the project and it is fun for me to hear the differing opinions on which song is their favorite. Some critics have a hard time classifying it, because they want to call it Pop or Singer/Songwriter, or Indie Pop. It just makes me laugh, because I don't care what people call it, as long as they are enjoying it.



Isaac: If you knew that you would never gain fame and fortune with what you are doing now, would you continue to make music? Explain.

Allison: Yes I would. Music has been the one constant in my life. I was born with it, and I will die with it. I can't help but create. Sometimes my songs won't let me sleep at night because they want to come out. You can't just turn that off.

Isaac: How do you handle negative feedback or negative energy about your music?

Allison: Sometimes it is hard because I put so much into it. But I understand that everyone has an opinion and certain things that they like. I know that it is impossible to please everyone. I do appreciate criticism though, because I want my music to be the best it can be. I am always striving to improve as a writer and vocalist. When it comes to negative feedback there is a difference between hearing it and listening.

Isaac: What role do your family and friends play in the equation of your pursuant of a music career?

Allison: My family is very supportive and excited whenever I have new songs to play for them. I always go to them first because I want to make them proud. I don't get to see them a lot, so it is a great way for us to stay connected. My friends have helped me so much I can't even list all of the ways. They have listened, passed out CDs, sent emails, cheered me on, lifted me up and loved me. I am very lucky.

Isaac: What is the best site/s that you can be found on the Internet?

Allison: Sonicbids is the best way to find everything you need to know about me, quickly.

www.sonicbids.com/allisongraymusic

I love Facebook, because I get to interact with everyone easily.

www.facebook.com/alliongraymusic

Isaac: The floor is yours; final words…..

Allison: Thank you so much for listening and reading. I have a lot of great things planned for 2011. Please add me on Facebook to stay connected. My latest release Off My Mind is available for download on iTunes and Amazon.