An interview with Anna Troy

1.  Describe the early years of your musical roots and how your talent
was nurtured.

I started playing piano at age four, and my family is a very musical family. My Dad is a huge dead head, and he really wanted his kids to have some musical background. From the time we were infants, my parents were taking us to concerts. Everyone from the Grateful Dead to Bob Dylan, and Van Morrisson. So early on my siblings and I were inspired by some of the musical legends. After playing piano for eight years, I finally picked up the guitar and that is when things clicked. I finally felt like I had found my instrument, and at the time I began playing guitar more then anything else. I would sit in my room for hours learning Ani Difranco songs, and I believe that it is her guitar style that really influenced me to be the guitar player I am today.

2.  Were there any events, people or catalysts that were musically
influential?

When I was fourteen and my sister was twelve, we started a family band called the Troy Sisters. We started performing at open mic nights all around San Diego, and our parents would take us from one coffee shop to another so we could get experience performing. I was the guitar player, and my sister was the singer in the band. Around that time as well, I was starting to write my own songs. So we would perform original songs as well as cover songs at the Coffee Shops. After about two years of doing this, we started to build a name for ourselves, and found ourselves hooking up with some very well connected producers in Hollywood. Within a year of meeting these producers my sister and I were signing a record deal with Elektra Records as The Troys. Although the album was never released, the experience of being on a major label and all the great opportunities we were given, has hugely influenced my perspective on the music industry as well as my songwriting, and confidence as an artist.

3.  How would you describe your sound?

I am the type of artist that has to be continually changing my sound in order to stay fulfilled with my sound. Thus, my sound has changed a lot in the past few years. Currently, I have a huge appreciation for Blues, Rhythm and Blues, Soul, and pretty much anything from the early sixties. Although I would consider myself a blues artist, my band is veering away from traditional blues and adding in touches of Rhythm and Blues in the vein of the early Rolling Stones, and early Beatles.

4.  How many CDs have you released as a solo artist?

I have released four CD's as a solo artist, with my latest release being "Ain't No Man" my first full length album. I am in the process of recording my next album.

5.  What is the name of your latest CD and describe the creative process
that went into it?

Making the album, Ain't No Man, was a truly amazing experience for me. It was my first full length solo album, and because of this I had extremely high expectations of this album. I wanted to be the best piece of art I have ever made, and I feel that it has lived up to this expectation. I spent about a year and a half writing songs for this album, and each song was written after listening to something from one of the great blues artists. I listened to artists like, John Lee Hooker, Memphis Minnie, Blind Boy Fuller, and Ruth Brown. And after learning some of their songs and really absorbing their style of playing blues, I would sit down with my guitar and write a song based on the inspiration I got from that specific artist. After writing these songs, I got some amazing local blues musicians to record with me. I really wanted this album to have an authentic sound, and I knew that these musicians would help me create this sound. I spent three days recording the album, and everything was done live. And the musicians on the album captured exactly what I was looking for, a traditional blues sound, but with a youthful edge that was representative
of my own personal interpretation of this old style.

6.  Where did you record your latest CD and who was involved in the
recording and production of it?

I recorded the album at the home studio of Nathan James. He is one of the amazing talents to come out of San Diego, and his acoustic blues duo just won first place in International Blues Challenge in Memphis last year. He has an appreciation and a respect for the old sound of blues records, and he helped recreate that sound with his recording techniques that he used on my record. Also playing on the record were, Robin Henkel, on upright bass, Brian "Nucci" Cantrell on drums, Martin Greaves on Keyboards, Billy Watson on harmonica, Kyle Jester on guitar and Adrian Demain as producer.

7.  How involved are you in the recording process of the projects you
have worked on?

I am extremely involved, whether it be writing the songs, singing the songs, playing guitar on the songs or producing the songs myself. It is important for me to have as much creative input in the recording process as possible.

8.  Who are the current members of your band?

At the moment my band includes Megan Carchman, on drums and Joe Poma on Bass, with myself singing and playing electric guitar.

9.  How do you feel about playing to a live audience?  

I love performing live, it is definitely one of my favorite parts of being a musician. Nothing can compare the feeling of excitement you feel right before you hit the stage, and satisfaction you feel after putting on an amazing performance.

10.  What does your live set up consist of?

My live set up consists of drums, bass, and me on guitar and vocals. Typically we have a fourth person sit in with us as well, either on a second guitar or keyboards.

11.  Who does your booking? Are you under management?

I do all my own booking, with the help of my friend Bart Mendoza who is my advisor on all my musical endeavors.

12.  What are your plans for the summer of 2007?

My plans for this summer is to get my band solidified, because we have been changing members the past few months,  and then get some shows at venues we have never played before. Possibly some touring, as well as recording for my next album.

13.  What are some of your favorite venues to play?

Recently, my favorite venues to play have been the Belly Up and the Casbah.

14.  What music organizations are you affiliated with?

I am member of BMI, other then that I am not sure if there are any others.

15.  Is there a venue that you play regularly at?

The venue I play at most regularly is Lestat's Coffee House on Adams Ave. in San Diego. They are my home base, and I have been playing there at least once a month for over four years. They have really supported my growth, and they are definitely one of the best local San Diego venues.

For More Information on Anna Troy contact:

            Email: gingerdice@earthlink.net

Myspace: www.myspace.com/annatroy

Website: http://www.annatroy.com 

 

 

© 2007 Yonge Music

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