Alice Smith: Eclectic And Lovin' It
Currently residing in New York City, Alice Smith attributes her eclectic style to her youth growing up between Washington D.C. and her grandmother’s farm in Augusta, Georgia.
Alice studied classical piano and was constantly listening to the music of Tchaikovsky and Chopin. Her family’s wide range of musical taste left her with influences of reggae, funk, blues, R&B, and a whole lot of soul. Tuning into the radio, Alice also took an interest in the new sound of 80’s pop.
While continuing her education in the Big Apple at Fordham University, she met Greg Tate and performed in his improv band, Moomtez, as a backup singer. Since than Alice could not imagine doing anything else.
Her debut album, For Lovers, Dreamers, and Me, is a collection of songs so versatile, from country to rock to funk and everything in between (except rap), it is impossible to ignore the talent in every note Alice sings. Fresh off a tour with Citizen Cope, Alice takes a breather and talks to us about her past, present, future, and her love of Canadian supergroup Feist.
HipHopRnBSoul.com: As a child, had you always had the inclination of becoming a musician?
Alice Smith: The inclination, yeah. I don’t know if it was just a want to. I don’t think I ever really thought about it like that. You know what I’m saying? But yeah I had the inclination cause I always sang. So, you know what I mean?
HRS: Yeah. What kind of music did you listen to growing up?
AS: Oh. All of it. All of it, really. I played classical piano when I was little. I wasn’t really into it. But you know, I listened to it cause I played it. Of course I’m into it now. I listened to a lot of Nina Simone. Who else did I listen to? I listened to a lot of pop radio.
HRS: When was the moment that you figured out you could make a career out of singing?
AS: Oh, we don’t know that part yet. (Laughs) We still don’t know! (Laughs) I don’t even know when I really decided. Maybe within the last five years. I never really thought about it as being an option. I didn’t think about it as NOT being an option but it really just never crossed my mind.
HRS: Was there any particular gig that pushed you off in the direction?
AS: Yeah. A friend of mine, who I used to play with a long time ago, not a LONG time ago, obviously. But I used to play with her, when I first started playing in New York. She asked me to do some stuff with her and so we kinda ended up making like a little, almost-album, a few songs, like ten songs. We stopped maybe after a year, year and a half. And I really didn’t want to do anything else. So, that’s basically what it was. That was like five years ago.
HRS: The title of the album, For Lovers, Dreamers, and Me, is named after the chorus from The Muppets’ “Rainbow Connection.” How did you personally relate to the title?
AS: We were just trying to think of a title because I haven’t thought of a name after it was all done. We were thinking about the music and we were throwing ideas around. We were thinking about The Beatles and The Wizard of Oz and whatever else made us think of. Than something made me think of The Muppets. I don’t even know. It wasn’t something in the forefront of my mind. I just thought of it and it came to me like that.
HRS: For Lovers, Dreamers, and Me is a very eclectic album. “Woodstock” is a rock-pop ballad. “Gary Song” is more funky-soul, while “New Religion” definitely has country influences. Were you consciously aware of creating such a diverse album?
HRS: It’s going to grab so many different audience’s attentions.
AS: I hope so! (Laughs)
HRS: Is there anyone you look forward to working with?
AS: I would like to pretty much work with almost anyone who wants to work with me. That would be cool. I’m out here with Cope, I would love to work with him. Anybody really. Feist, is so beautiful. Do you like Feist?
HRS: Love Feist.
AS: Oh my god. I can’t even take it. I looooove Feist! If anybody wants to work with me, I’ll work with them. I don’t really do rap, cause I don’t really do hooks. But other than that.
HRS: Thank you for talking with us!
AS: Thank you so much! 
AS: I was trying to sing songs that I liked and that I would be able to interpret correctly. I didn’t write all of the songs. Four of the songs that are on the album are mine. The rest of them I chose them. They were brought to me and I chose what I liked. It wasn’t trying to be different or anything. I liked the music.