During my usual visits to You Tube to find artists that deserve to be recognized, I came across “Eye Of The Storm”. It was a video that surprised me for the richness of the music and the well crafted production of the video.

Alyse Black who was singing “Eye Of The Storm” attracted my attention because of her natural talent to tell a story via music. The video inspired me to invite her for an interview via E Mail.

Ms. Black accepted the invitation in spite of her heavy schedule including a concert tour at The Crocodile in Seattle, Washington. Ms.Black has been in North America and Europe as well as being interviewed by greats such as NPR.

The rest is Solid Gold.

1. You studied in Seattle, Washington DC, and Prague, Czech Republic and appeared going to a career in business consulting. What inspired you to become a singer songwriter?

Honestly, I had always been a singer. And I had always written rhythmic poetry meant to be read in a certain way – performed, if you will. I was lying to myself when I decided to go into business consulting. It’s simply wonderful to be honest and clear with myself now about how I want to give to the world.

Singing is part of my family. And I am fully alive when I sing – especially my own songs. What really drives it home is people’s reactions when they hear me sing – people come to me to tell me how much it means to them – how much THEY felt more alive when I was singing – how much it brought out feelings that they couldn’t find words for – how much it touched them. If I can do something to bring myself and those who listen more alive and I can actually make a living doing it, there is nothing that can hold me back from doing just that.

2. You recorded «Eye of the Storm» and published it in video. What was the inspiration for recording one of the most moving songs and videos of the 21st Century?

Thank you, first of all. I am a full-time singer-songwriter and a full-time mommy – living in a tumultuous economy and an ever changing world. I stand every day in the eye of a storm. I have to exist in the moment and keep my peripheral vision very sharp. I have to find peace and calm in the smallest things. I have to find peace and calm in my heart. Or I will break. I find it. I am strong.

3. You participated in «The Perfect World» with Karen Chisholm and Sonia Rao. What inspired you to participate in «The Perfect World»? What was it like working with Karen Chisholm and Sonia Rao?

Karen and I had known each other for a year amongst the Austin singer-songwriter scene. Sonia and I had met at a music conference in Los Angeles. I knew that Sonia wanted to do a show in the Austin scene, and Karen and I put together an incredible theme for the event.

The poster picture is classic: I am in a 50s housewife dress, Karen is in black leather biker gear. I am tossing back a martini as we make our getaway on a Harley. I still get people who approach me about that picture and adventurous theme. The video from the photo shoot and the photo shoot itself were hilarious!

4. You are going to perform in The Crocodile for a Pre Release and Reunion Concert. What inspired you to perform in The Crocodile? Will you be recording a live album of the concert?

I’ve always loved The Crocodile. I was born and lived a good portion of my life in Seattle. Many of my musical heroes played at The Crocodile. As I come into my artistry and am more and more capable of taking center stage, it only makes sense to fill such a fantastic venue with the best music I can make. I’ve been writing the songs for my next album for several years. Both co-writing in Nashville and writing and rewriting alone. I have never felt so proud or inspired by a set of songs. I am crossing my fingers that these songs have a profound impact on listeners and concert-goers as well.

We will not be recording a lie album as far as I know so far. I’m sure the team and I will have a chat about it at some point, and the concert will be recorded. But probably not publicly released. Maybe for my Patronism.com supporters once that is up and running.

5. Your first release was «Too Much and Too Lovely». What inspired you to record it and how long did it take from recording to releasing the album?

«Too Much & Too Lovely» happened in the summer of 2007. It was beautiful. Studio X in Seattle is incredible. Several songs off the album, particularly «Stood for Stand for» and «Wouldn’t It Be Nice?» have won awards and made me proud.

It’s pretty common to look back years later and not identify strongly with your first album. I am not exception in this area. It was a hoot. But I feel more «me» with my new music.

6. What inspired you to record the album «Hold On To This»?

«Hold Onto This» was a great progression from my earlier work. Several songs on that album, particularly «Willowing,» «Hold Onto This,» and a few more are still so very dear to me. Working with Ryan Hadlock (Foo Fighters, Ra Ra Riot, Regina Spektor, etc) was very fun as well. That studio, Bear Creek Studio, is where Brandi Carlile recorded her latest album as well. It is inspiring – a converted old barn in the woods outside of Seattle. It’s rumored Elvis Presely once sang in the booth where I did my vocals for it.

And my team. I really believe in the musicians that worked with me on that album. They had spent time with me on the road. They loved me and my music, and we all believed together. What a beautiful way to make an album.

7. How did you feel recording a commercial for Target?

Oh that was silly fun. Target put my in an adorable studio in Minneapolis filled to the brim with various instruments. They gave me awesome license – basically saying that whatever instrument I wanted but didn’t know how to play, they would find someone to play it. We made a quirky cute song! I didn’t write it, but performing it was lovely.

8. Whose idea was it to record «The Triple Door Sessions Live» and «The Honesty»?

The Triple Door offers recordings of its shows, and it seemed like a lovely idea. «The Honesty EP» was a chance for me to see what an album of mine sounded like that was raw and relatively un-produced.

9. How is family important for you?

My family is now my world. I honestly never really thought I would have children. They seemed like a great way to mess up your time freedom, to wreck your body, to drive yourself crazy. But now I am simply, unequivocally nuts about my little ones – Scarlett is 2 years old and Elliot is 3 months. Scarlett is already very musical, and Elliot smiles from ear to ear when I sing. I’ll have them in the band in no time! Ha!

In all seriousness, I am not sure I really had a heart before I had my family. I am real now. And I like who I am now. I am still 100% singer-songwriter and in love with music. But the core of me is made deeper and stronger by the love I have for my family. Just wait until you hear the songs I am writing from that love. I really think they are indubitably my best songs by a long shot.

10. What is your advice for those who want to become singer songwriters?

First off, hone your craft every day. No one gets to be the best at anything without putting in the loving commitment of daily or near-daily work. The very next thing I would say would be to write things from your heart, play them 50 times, and then rewrite the parts that don’t feel as emotionally powerful to you. You’ll know in the pit of your stomach, in the beating center of your soul whether or not a section is hitting your most honest thoughts and strongest feelings; THAT is where true connection comes from. THAT is what the world is dying to hear from you. When you’ve practiced enough and thrown your heart into every word and note and it rings so very true to you, you will recognize yourself as the artist of your life. You will develop avid fans naturally with each new soul exposed to your music. Remember, if you make music YOU love and YOU would listen to, you better believe that there are plenty of people who would love to listen to it as well – it doesn’t need to be everyone, but it will be more than enough. Then take that firm belief and spread it to the ends of the earth as thoroughly as you can and keep spreading it. The day you give up could very well be the day before you make another huge breakthrough. Get back up one more time than the number of times you fall down. Keep searching. Don’t go so directly for commercial success that you miss making the art you were born to make – because THAT will make you useless to listeners. They need to authentic you, blown up to extreme proportions. You will find your truth and your power – through practice and by following your gut reactions. Our bodies and our guts know us better than our brains do. Pay attention to your body’s response to everything. You’ll learn a thing or two about yourself.

11. What is your message to the world?

Being 100% ourselves and being gentle and accepting to those around us. Being human is a complicated business. There is a beautiful, bittersweet chaos to life on this planet. I try to fully embrace that. And love love love the people I meet. Find your heaven. Draw it to you and be the person you were born to be.

Alyse. Thank you for accepting my invitation for being interviewed. It is a pleasure and an honor to be able to interview one of the legend among legends. For me, most of the artists in Austin are Legends among Legends.