Angie Heaton has been a part of the Champaign-Urbana music scene since the early ‘90s, when she was a member of Corndolly. Now primarily a solo artist, Heaton will bring her folky sound to WEFT Sessions tonight at 10 p.m. As always, you can listen at 90.1 on your FM dial as well as streaming live on weft.org.
Heaton sounds off on being compared to Liz Phair and growing up around music in a small town:
Smile Politely: Will you be solo in the studio or with a backing band?
Angie Heaton: SOLO…but I might bring an imaginary spoon playa!
SP: Have you played for a radio show before? Any complications or advantages that you expect?
AH: I have played several radio shows! It’s fun, and awkward…you know…people are listening and you can’t see their faces…I like to see the audience…but it’s ALL good…you know!?
SP: How does the songwriting process work for you?
AH: Usually songs just come bursting out of me…I’ve been able to write a lot lately…it was a dry spell for some time…I can’t think much about writing a song…it has to be organic!
SP: How would you describe your sound for someone who’s never heard your music before?
AH: folky rock …with a country tinge…
SP: Was there a moment when you realized that you wanted to be a musician? How did that come about?
AH: I grew up around music being played constantly…my dad plays guitar, and my mom played piano…I always had a musical instrument in my hands…I wanted and got my first drum kit (toy) when I was 6 years old! 🙂
SP: What’s a singer or band that you’ve been compared to that you don’t think is representative at all, and why not?
AH: For a long time I was always compared to Liz Phair…but I don’t think that fits at all anymore…I love the Lucinda Williams/Neko Case comparisons…those make me HAPPY!
SP: What is the greatest album of all time? Why?
AH: omg. That’s tough! I think it’s Concrete Blonde ST because I discovered it randomly, and it saved me from Top 40 music when I was growing up in a small town where that’s all there was! 🙂
SP: What was your favorite band when you were in junior high?
AH: The Go-Go’s. Hands down!
SP: How does working at Parasol affect what you do as a musician? Does it make it harder or easier?
AH: Working at Parasol has been such a blessing to me…I love it! I get to keep my “finger on the pulse” of music and the business!
SP: What do you like to do in your spare time?
AH: So much stuff…I like to read, write, pray and try to figure out the meaning of life…. 🙂
SP: Would you like to say anything else that wasn’t covered in these questions?
AH: Listen to me live on WEFT…and visit my website angieheaton.com.