A Fine Frenzy

A Fine Frenzy is Seattle born 21 year-old Alison Sudol.

Alison developed the sound of A Fine Frenzy - hypnotic piano arrangements under classic American melody fused into irresistible, atmospheric songs. Music News caught up with Alison to have a chat.

Music News: Sound’s like someone’s been a bit hectic then?

Alison Sudol: I have been but obviously, it’s exciting times. It has been hectic but it’s also nice. I really appreciate it now when I don’t have to run around so much.

Music News: How did last night’s show go?

Alison Sudol: I had to cancel last night’s show! It’s the first show I’ve ever cancelled. I’ve been doing a bit of a press tour, and also a hell of a lot of talking and so my voice is a little bit tired. And then I did a show in Paris where they hadn’t enforced the no-smoking rule inside and I have really terrible asthma and I lost my voice!

Music News: You need to get yourself down to a good pub for a medicinal pint o’ Guinness - that’ll soothe the throat!

Alison Sudol: I don’t really drink but I guess I could try?! (in faux-cockney accent) 'Can I 'ave a pint?! Can I 'ave a pint a Guinness yeah?!’ Oh, that’s terrible, it’s embarrassing, I’m not going to even try!

Music News: So what’s your first musical memory?

Alison Sudol: Looking at and admiring my little yellow piano that we had when I was a little girl. It was when I was living in Seattle - I must have been about three years old and I loved it.

Music News: And you are fluent with the piano?

Alison Sudol: Yeah, there’s something about it that I have been fascinated by and I think it’s such a complete instrument, and an emotional instrument. It just seemed like the natural choice for me to play.

Music News: What’s the best song on 'One Cell In The Sea’?

Alison Sudol: Oh that’d be like trying to choose a favourite child!

Music News: There is always a favourite child, come on?!

Alison Sudol: I know but you don’t tell! I’m an only child so by default, I am the favourite! But with regards to my favourite song, I guess it’s down to what mood I’m in. Also, it’s a whole piece to me. I am definitely proud of it.

Music News: Your album aside - what’s been your 'Record of the Year’?

Alison Sudol: I love the new 'The Shin’s’ album - that’s a firm favourite, but also the Bright Eyes album 'Cassadaga’, that’s really good.

Music News: Have you seen 'The Shin’s’ this year?

Alison Sudol: No I haven’t, and I have rarely seen any shows at all this year. Although I went to see an Interpol show in London which was amazing. I’d only been familiar with their singles before and hadn’t delved into them but I really enjoyed it.

Music News: If you could have written any other song, from any other artist, what would it be?

Alison Sudol: Have you ever heard 'First Day Of My Life’ by Bright Eyes? Oh! It’s perfect! He’s absolutely brilliant. And I know I could never have written any Sigur Ros songs. Just to be in the room with them would be.....I don’t even know how they can write their songs?! I watched Heima yesterday and it was spectacular. I’m usually a real fidgeter- the only time I’m not is when I am playing music, in which case I forget everything else in the world - but when I watched it yesterday, I just sat still and entranced whilst resting with tea!

Music News: When are you at your happiest?

Alison Sudol: When I’m at a piano writing a song. You know, sometimes it doesn’t come easy to me and I really have to work for it. But when I’m creating, there’s nothing quite like it and it feels magical.

Music News: Being so literary-orientated, do lyrics come easier to you than the music?

Alison Sudol: Lyrics come easier to me; they come more freely. I love telling stories and being able to express myself.

Music News: What story resonates with you more than any other then?

Alison Sudol: Alice In Wonderland! I love looking at the world in a magical way.

Music News: Now THAT is a mental story!

Alison Sudol: Oh completely, but it makes sense to me though! It’s insane but there isn’t anything out of place - it just works. I enjoy being baffled!

Music News: Why the Dicken’s did you go for the name 'A Fine Frenzy’ as opposed to Alison Sudol?

Alison Sudol: I think this industry can get too focused on a person as an entity or celebrity but I make music and at the end of the day, it should be about the music. It’s not really about me. I want people to experience the record as their own and not as my viewpoint of the world.

Music News: What’s the finest frenzy you’ve ever seen?

Alison Sudol: I don’t know? I guess when you are in the throws of nature when everything is busy but it all looks so still.

Music News: What pleases you most about visiting Britain?

Alison Sudol: The little details of the language are amazing! Like for instance, you call speed bumps 'humps’ - it’s adorable! Or like all the little names of towns and villages - it’s cute, it’s so cute! It’s just so 'darling’! I also love the fact that 'tea-time’ is taken so seriously here.

Music News: See, we Brit’s worry that we are stereotyped around the world as lovers of tea but, unfortunately, we are just mad about the stuff!

Alison Sudol: But I’m mad about tea too! In the states, it’s really hard to find a good cup of tea too. My step dad is English so I grew up with it and we don’t mess around with it. If we don’t have teatime, everyone is grumpy!

Music News: Do you drink it out of fine-bone china with your little finger pointing outwards?

Alison Sudol: No way! I have it out of big mugs! I love being delicate but I love the taste of tea so I want a load of it! I love PG Tips or Peppermint with a pastry. Camomile doesn’t seem to work with me for the getting to sleep thing.....Sigur Ros does though! Kings Of Convenience and Iron & Wine do too.

Music News: So touring with Rufus Wainwright then; he didn’t turn you into a bit of a diva?!

Alison Sudol: Not at all - I bow down to him. He is a diva but in the best of ways. He’s not diva attitude wise......although, maybe he is and we just love him for it! He’s just flamboyant and outrageous and wonderful and hilarious! I had been a fan before but after the tour, I really miss seeing him. I had a chance to sing 'Across the Universe’ with both Rufus and Sean Lennon on stage and it was amazing.

Music News: What’s the worst thing you’ve ever read about yourself Alison?

Alison Sudol: I’ve read that my face is crooked, which made me stare in the mirror for a while until I thought, 'You know what, it IS crooked!’. I read that I try too hard and that I’m pretentious. It used to devastate me completely. I’m still not immune to it yet. You know, I’m still a human being - and a super-sensitive one at that! We all have our own insecurities and I am flawed like any other human being...quite flawed really! I just think it’s hard to think something bad of yourself already and then to have someone else say it.

Music News: Oop; touched a nerve?!

Alison Sudol: Ha ha, no! All I really care about at the end of the day, I guess, is that if there are few people who can get something out of my music or feel touched by it, then I am doing my job. If it makes peoples life a little better then great cos music makes my life a little better.

Music News: Yeah, that’s the spirit ol’ girl! Well, what does 2008 hold in store for you?

Alison Sudol: Lots of touring, alot of writing and hopefully making another album; I want to make another one as soon as possible. I also wanna tour over in Britain again as well, but I’m not sure as to when or where that’ll be. I can’t wait.....I don’t even wanna leave now!

Music News: What has been the highlight of your year?

Alison Sudol: Getting to tour with Rufus and having my first album released in the states! I mean, it’s in stores!

Music News: Who would play you in a film of your life?

Alison Sudol: Oooooh, erm, Kate Winslet! She’s great and is in one of my favourite films of all time, Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind. She’s unlike able but lovable in that film. I also adore 'Stranger Than Fiction’ - I watched it so much on tour. Same with 'The Life Aquatic’ as well.

Music News: Why does music make you tick?

Alison Sudol: Because it makes life beautiful.