When you first hear Katie voice, you know that you've hit the goldmine. That's probably why she quickly won local music awards not long after moving back to her hometown, Houston. Katie Stuckey and the Straggler, her band, will be performing tomorrow night at Rudyard's. It'll be a great show, and a good chance to see her in a smaller venue: We know she'll quickly outgrow these small venues.
We bounced some questions off Katie as she prepared for Friday night's show.
Congratulations on your multiple wins at the Houston Press Music Awards! Give us your thoughts on that nomination and award.
Thank you! I was very grateful to be a part of the Houston Press Music Awards. Our band was voted best Folk/Acoustic and I was voted Best Female Vocalist, I think I can speak for our whole band when I say it is great to be recognized by the Houston Press and our Houston fans as well. There is a lot of talent musically in Houston, so, for us to be considered for a relatively “young” band is a great feeling. I think any media drawing positive attention to music in Houston is great too, so, I am thankful to the Houston Press for recognizing the talent here in Houston.
What part of Houston did you grow up in?
I was born in Houston and moved to Colorado at a very young age, and then my family moved back when I was a teenager. We lived inside the loop.
We know that you've been singing most of your life, but how old were you when you decided to try to make a career out of it and how did it happen?
I decided to really get after it about 4 years ago. At the time I was living in Los Angeles and I honestly woke up one day and realized I was wasting my talent by not putting my full effort into singing. I had dabbled here and there, but I realized that I needed to make my own way and find my own place with what it is I have to offer musically. And that was it. I didn't know where to start or how necessarily (who does when you venture out, right?), but I made myself learn every day. Be it about the business, or the guitar, or venues, etc,. I realized no one was going to do it for me, so I had to start somehow!
With that happening on one hand, I needed to be honest with myself about the bigger picture of my life in relation to my music and career goals: Where I wanted to be, what type of people I wanted to work with, etc. And for me, the answer at that time was home, Houston! I believe strongly that the character of a place and the character of its people affect how we work and get through our day to day lives. Something led me back to Texas; be it my gut, or my intuition, or that little voice that we all try to hear. That, in combination with my passion and commitment, told me that it would be a wise move for my career. I believe it has. Houston is a big city. But coming back to a familiar place to plant my feet in the scene here has proven to be the right move. Our band (The Swagger: Will Thomas, Craig Feazel, Chris Lewis and Mark Riddell) came together through old high school friends, and friends of friends. People like to see their friends succeed, and I think with the help of our combined friends and fans, we have grabbed the attention of Houstonians, and will continue to do so throughout Houston and beyond.
Do you have a usual process for writing songs? What gives you inspiration to write?
What gives me inspiration to write is taking a step back. Being still. Nothing is sparked when I'm sitting in traffic or standing in line at the post office. I'm inspired when my phone is off, my guitar is next to me, and I'm alone. I need to be in a place of solitude.
From that point it's sort of “chicken or the egg.” Sometimes I write lyrics, sometimes it's a tune I hear first. What gives me inspiration is occurrences in the world around me as I see it I would have to say. Some of my songs are autobiographical, I guess you could say, some are completely made up stories that have been inspired by some made up scenario. You know when you see someone, like, in an airport, or in a car next to you at a red light, and you kind of create a story about that person in your head? (ok, maybe not, but I do sometimes). Yeah, sometimes inspiration comes from that. Those are the best when people are like, "Tell me how you came up with that", and I'm like, "uuuhh. totally made up dude. Sorry."
But what I really want to start writing about is politics. TOTALLY KIDDING.
What lyrics have other songwriters written that made you say "Damn, I wish I wrote that!"?
"Damn it feels good to be a gangsta" and any of Paris Hilton's lyrics.
No, but seriously, "Blackbird.” The whole song.
Also, a Phish song "Swept Away" from Billy Breathes. It's just a beautiful song. The words are simple, but strong
What song off your new CD are you most proud of and why?
Hmmm. They're like my little children, I can't choose.
We know that you're influenced by great artists like Patty Griffin and Brandi Carlile, but are there any non-folk/alt country artists that have influenced you that we may be surprised about?
Anyone who is pursuing music and making it happen who is perhaps "unknown" in the bigger sense is an inspiration to me. It takes a lot of faith in oneself to keep going and stay focused.
When it comes to musicians who are 'known' (I'm using known/unknown for lack of a better word), I find a connection to these bands/singers for various reasons:
The Beatles, Asylum Street Spankers, Gloria Gaynor, Citizen Cope, Otis Redding, David Gray, Imogen Heap, Janis Joplin, Radiohead, Sufjan Stevens, Schuyler Fisk .
Now that you're CD is out and getting a lot of buzz, we know you'll be off to bigger and better things. Would this include becoming a part of the Nashville radio-hit-making-machine?
I'm here to take things as far as they will go. I'll always be open to what lies next. I have big dreams, and I have to hold onto those. I can not predict what will come next, but I will remain open to all possibilities.
What's your view on the local music scene here in Houston?
I think we have a great music scene here. As a musician or a band, it is what you make if it. The more you put in, the more you will get out. I will always say there could be more: More music, more venues, but I don't think we're struggling when it comes to either. Houston fans are loyal and friendly. Other bands/musicians are supportive of one another--that's always a good thing.
If you could be any landmark in Houston, what would it be?
Minute Maid Park. So I could watch every ‘stros game!
Katie Stuckey and the Swagger w/ Dertybird and Skyblue72
Friday, 9 p.m. @ Rudyard's
2010 Waugh Dr
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