Independent Artists

ALICE WALLACE:


Though her music dips at times into blues and rock, Alice Wallace's music is undeniably folk at heart.

The Orange County-based singer/songwriter moved to California three years ago on a whim, and is now self-releasing her first studio album and booking her first solo tour up the West coast. It’s a dream she’s been working toward since she first picked up the guitar at age 16, and she’s determined not to let another opportunity pass her by.

With a style that falls somewhere between the alt-country crooning of Emmylou Harris and the bluesy timbre of Bonnie Raitt, Alice draws from the simple and honest folk melodies she learned from her father when crafting her songs about life, love and the pursuit of that ever-elusive happiness.

After moving to the Los Angeles area three years ago, Alice threw herself into the performing circuit - steadily attracting larger audiences and landing opening spots with well-known artists like Lisa Loeb, Shawn Mullins, Sophie B. Hawkins and Shawn Colvin.

In recording her first full-length studio album, Alice had help from engineer and producer Anthony Arvizu at The Compound Studio in Long Beach. Arvizu helped Alice refine the 9 songs on the album, which showcase the different styles Alice draws from: folk, blues, rock, country and even a hint of jazz.

Alice picked up the guitar at about 16 while growing up in Florida, learning a few chords to play simple folk songs she heard her parents sing. Singing Bob Dylan and John Denver eventually led to discovering artists like Janis Joplin, Bonnie Raitt and Ani Difranco. She cut her teeth as a singer and songwriter by mimicking those singers she admired. She learned to harmonize by singing Gram Parsons songs with her father in the living room. It was a self-guided education in music that spurred her passion for the story-telling art of the songwriter.

After learning just a few chords, she start writing her own songs, and then taking those songs to coffee shops, talent shows, and anywhere else she could land a gig in high school. In college, it was the same. Open mic nights. Occasional bar gigs; and always writing songs.

When her parents decided to move back to California in 2009 (where Alice was born), she decided to head west, too. She'd always known she wanted to be a musician, so this was the time to realize it.

The last few years have been an ebb and flow of music for Alice - a 9-to-5 job during the day, gigs and band practice at night. She knew she needed better recordings to promote her music properly, and saving up the money was slow going. But thanks to about 40 family members, friends, and fans who contributed a total of more than $2,000 to a Kickstarter fundraiser in 2011, Alice was finally able to get the last bit she needed to go into the studio.

The album also features a few talented musicians backing up Alice's acoustic arrangements: Tom Bremer on guitars and piano, Neil Patton on upright and electric bass, and Evan Maloney on drums. Arvizu, who is himself an experienced drummer, also added to the album, and brought in a friend to lay down some organ tracks, as well.

Now that the album has been released, Alice is currently booking a tour along the West coast for January, and hopes to move eastward with more shows later in 2012.