Allen Christie is a little bit country, a little bit bluegrass, and even a little honky-tonk, if you will. Based in Calgary, he's playing a string of shows around Alberta right now, with his band made up of Riley Tubbs as vox, guitar, mandolin, dobro and bass, Blain Bertagnolli on fiddle, Mark Mascotte on percussion and, of course, himself as vox, guitar, banjo, mandolin and fiddle. It's a production and it leaves the songs sounding very rich, and the layering of it all from care for the finished product really shows. Allen did an email interview with me in mid-April.
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Allen
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The feel to his music works for many different kinds of people, I think mainly because it's rootsy enough to appeal to people who like singer/songwriter acoustic stuff and also those who like a more twangy sort of vibe. So what kind of shows and festivals are most fun for Allen to play? Well, 'really, anywhere there are people, preferably nice people, who are not prone to throw things at you,' he begins. 'Bluegrass festivals and Cowboy poetry gatherings have been really great places for us. I like playing rodeo dances whenever I can, just because the people are ready to have a good time and it gives me a chance to take in the rodeo during the day.'
Songwriting and recording are things Allen approaches with a close attentiveness. The songs general begin, says Allen, 'with an idea for a hook, some catchy words or cool sounding idea, or a storey and then I just sort of have to fill in the blanks around that central theme.' And unlike most musicians who are anxious to record once the song has been written and the kinks worked out, Allen holds out longer. 'I first of all like to take a song and live with it for a while just to get to know it really well,' explains Allen. 'Playing it with the band a lot helps to tweak the tune and kinda get a feel for what I want it to sound like recorded. I'm also a hardcore acoustic nut so I like to try and keep it as real as possible. I don't use a lot of effects and not alot of tracks. I like alot of space in the music so the less I do the better. I try to pick a variety of different sounding songs for an album.'
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Allen on songwriting/recording...
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'I first of all like to take a song and live with it for a while just to get to know it really well,'
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Now, Allen is in the process of his full length album, due out this month sometime, with Cyclone Records. Allen credits his friend Joey Schweitzer for linking him with Brad of Cyclone, says Allen, 'He found out Brad was doing the 'Heart of Alberta' album and thought that would be right up my alley,' and he was right. Brad says of his first encounter with Allen's work, 'I was blown away by the radio-friendly sound that Allen puts into his song writing and also the clarity and depth of his recordings. I have since learned that Allen recorded much of the stuff in his own home and produced it himself along with some long standing musician buddies.' Cyclone was an obvious choice to work with on the upcoming release, which is working out well because Brad always offers input, but never tells any of the bands what to do, and Allen likes to be at the forefront of what's going on with his work. Explains Allen, 'I'm a bit of a control freak when it comes to that stuff, but if I'm comfortable with someone's work then I usually give them their head and let them do their thing. Early on because of expense, I did most of my own artwork and promo. I keep the business end of things pretty much home based.'
See Allen playing around Alberta, check his MySpace page for details.
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The Playlist
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Allen's Playlist
1. The Little Willys - Rolly Polly (an old Bob Wills tune)
2. Willie Nelson sings the songs of Cindy Walker - You Don't Know Me(WOW)
3. Ian Tyson - Half a Mile of Hell
4. Denver Daines - It Must Have Been You We're just recording this song now. Watch for this one in the near future!
5. The Cruzaros - Cowboy Boots
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