Alina Simone Interview: SXSW 2010

Posted on Mar 14th 2010 8:00AM by Marian Tuin
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Alina Simone is as talented as she is down to earth. The Ukrainian-born indie rocker has a storied journey that is reflected in her music. Now based in Brooklyn, New York, Alina is prepared for her fourth trip to SXSW and will ironically be returning to the first place she ever sang in public, 6th street. She spoke to Spinner recently about her music and her upcoming SXSW appearance.

Tell me a little bit about your musical journey.

I'm a solo singer-songwriter, or a solo indie rock singer I should say. I've released two albums and an EP and I've got a third album coming out at the end of this year. And I also recently wrote a book about my weirdest adventures in indie rock that's going to be published by Faber at the beginning of 2011. I just finished the book so I'm only just starting to tell people because before, it was done I didn't want to count my chickens before they hatched.

Describe your sound in your own words.

In my own words, I'm about to quote other people. My last record was described as haunting by like 15 publications. It was getting to the point where every time I talked to a journalist I started to ban them from using the word haunting. So I'm just going to say haunting because that seems to be the consensus. It's emotional. I wouldn't even put it in a genre because I've done a lot of different stuff, but it's emotional music. It's meant to make you feel something.

How did your band form?

I actually started singing on the street in Austin when I lived in Austin for three years. I was in my early 20s. And the first time I ever sang in public was on 6th street. That's pretty ironic that I'm going back to sing on 6th street at SXSW.

What are your musical influences?

I like Sinead O'Connor, love her.

What's your musical guilty pleasure?

I listen to Britney Spears' 'Circus' once, sometimes twice a day. I'm not even kidding, I love that album. I just love Britney Spears, I really do. I cover music, I've got some covers online and I want to do a cover EP. She has the best songwriters working for her. It's not just about her. She has this team that hires these people that write for her voice, for her range, they play to her strengths. They've got these kickass DJs, so I don't know, I can't help but love it.

If you could choose a theme song to summarize your life right now, what would it be? Why?

'What a Feeling' by Irene Caress. And mostly because I've been wearing a lot of those '80s oversized sweatshirts without the shoulders.

What artists are you most looking forward to seeing in this year's festival lineup?

My three initial picks are a band from Minneapolis called Kid Dakota--they're amazing. I also recommend These United States. I love that band, they're such hard workers. And then Sgt. Dunbar & the Hobo Banned, and they're just one of those bands that radiate joy and they're also a really hard working, community-oriented band from Albany, New York, which is not an indie rock Mecca, so kudos to them.

Marian Tuin is a contributor from Seed.com. Learn how you can contribute here.