A Dirty Dozen with ANGELA AUTUMN – June 2021

According to a recent press release: “Americana/folk singer-songwriter Angela Autumn is set to release her new album, Frontiers Woman, on June 4, 2021. A guitar player by trade who also plays clawhammer banjo, Autumn originally hails from Zelienople, Pennsylvania but now calls Nashville home. Like the weathered Appalachian mountain peaks of her home, her voice yodels, cascades, and breaks with emotion. Accompanied by an often-droning guitar, a homespun sensibility is the center of Autumn’s lyrical craft. From the carefree whooping and bluegrass elements in the album’s jaunty kiss-off opener “Old Time Lovers,” to the slow, Latin shuffle of “God’s Green Earth,” to the Laurel Canyon elements in “Texas Blue Jeans,” her music freely wanders the backroads of American music.” We get Angela to discuss new music, influences, and more…

Photo credit: Dana Kalachnik

1. Tell us a little about your latest release.  What might a fan or listener not grab the first or second time they listen through?  Are there any hidden nuggets you put in the material or that only diehard fans might find?

Yes! There are references to my hometown of Pittsburgh, which folks from there will hear. The valleys are mentioned in “Shooter.” Similarly, I refer to a tour with Buffalo Rose with a stop in Chicago. There was a huge thunderstorm that night, but we sat on the porch and enjoyed it. Those guys might catch the reference!

2. What got you into music, and can you tell us about the moment you realized you wanted to be a musician?

I realized I wanted to play music when I was 9 years old, which stemmed from asking my parents for a guitar. I didn’t consciously know that I would be playing music for a living, until I was 18, and started taking gigs in the city. Writing songs is something I started to take seriously in my late teens.

3. Building on that, is there a specific song, album, performer, or live show that guided your musical taste?

Neil Young definitely guided me in the first stages. Later, I gravitated toward CSNY records and Joni Mitchell. The loose, ephemeral songwriting is what drew me to those classic ’70s artists.

4. Who would be your main musical influences?

Joni Mitchell, Nick Drake, Gillian Welch, and Doc Watson.

5. If you could call in any one collaborator to do a song with, who would it be, and why?

I would collaborate with Margo Price. She is so driven, and at times controversial. I would love to write a song with her about growing up in the Midwest.

6. How would you describe your music to someone who’d never listened to you before?

I would describe my music as primarily folk, with Appalachian, psychedelic, and rock influences.

7. When your band is hanging out together, who cooks, who gets the drinks in, and who is first to crack out the acoustic guitars for a singalong?

It’s been a minute since I’ve had an official band. However, one of my collaborators really enjoyed a pit-stop at Chick-fil-A after a long day of mixing. We also bust out “Won’t Back Down” every once in a while.

8. When was the last time you were starstruck and who was it?

I was not starstruck, but surprised, when I saw Billy Strings riding down the street on his bicycle the other day.

9. What is the best part of being a musician? If you could no longer be a musician for whatever reason, what would be your dream job?

I would definitely become an organic farmer, or professional van-lifer.

10. What is one question you have always wanted an interviewer to ask – and what is the answer? Conversely, what question are you tired of answering?

I’ve always wanted an interviewer to ask about my style of guitar playing. For example, I developed my style from listening to old folk records. I also use various open tunings when writing songs, too. One question I’m tired of answering is which comes first: the lyrics or the music?

11. Looking back over your career, is there a single moment or situation you feel was a misstep or you would like to have a “do over,” even if it didn’t change your current situation?

Once, I had a manager convince me that I should change my name to Angela Autumn Cash. I kept that for 6 months, and then said, “This is ridiculous.” I went back to using my original, God-given name. Being 20 years old at the time, I went with the flow a little too readily. Now, I am more equipped to make big decisions on my own accord. Stage name is a HUGE element!

12. If you could magically go back in time and be a part of the recording sessions for any one record in history, which would you choose – and what does that record mean to you?

I would choose 1970, during the Workingman’s Dead recording sessions. The Grateful Dead may seem like a strange choice, but this album signifies the first interplay of folk/rock/country and jam-band. I never get tired of this record; it’s a staple in my collection.

ANGELA AUTUMN LINKS:

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Category: Interviews