Patricia Vonne

By Ed Verosky on September 23, 2009

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“I want to be buried in this dress,” says Patricia Vonne as we setup for our first few shots in the Imperial Room at The Belmont in Austin.  The dress, a favorite of hers, was purchased at a vintage shop awhile back.  Vonne is proud of her find–a Bob Mackie, she explains–one of a couple of dresses she brought over to show me a few months prior to our shoot.  Recently, our schedules lined up, a location and stylist were secured, and we were about to finally give those dresses some camera time.

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Vonne is a driven professional, and a natural in front of the camera.  Put that together with a set of long limbs, great looks, and a fearless approach to performance, and you’re bound to capture something intriguing with a camera.  It probably helps that she’s no stranger to being in front of the lens.  Vonne’s done a little modeling, appeared in videos, and played a some interesting characters in movies–like the deadly Zorro Girl in Sin City.

Anyone who’s seen Patrica Vonne perform live can attest to her dramatic and dynamic stage presence.  But she’s also a talented songwriter, actress, dancer, and has even gotten into video directing.  For our interview, I asked her about the new album she’s working on, how she met musical partner and husband Robert LaRoche, and about her experiences with her busy touring schedule.

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Can you tell me a little about the new CD you’re working on? Who’s producing, playing on it, scheduled release date?

My fourth CD will be called Worth It and it’s being produced by Carl Thiel. He produced my last two CD’s Guitars & Castanets and Firebird.  I first worked with Carl recording my song “Traeme Paz” which was featured in the film Once Upon a Time in Mexico.”  My band members are Robert LaRoche on electric guitar, Scott Garber on bass, and Dony Wynn on drums.  We just layed down basic tracks so we’ll be writing our wish list of guest musicians.  Release date is spring of 2010.

Is this a continuation of the Patricia Vonne sound, should we expect any surprises or changes to the sound?

Like my previous CD’s it will be a bilingual/roots rock album.  The difference will be the content, the songs themselves.  “Cowskulls and Ghostowns” is my first songwriting collaboration with Shawn Sahm of the Tex- Mex Experience.  “Cut From the Same Cloth” and “Austin Rocks” are two songs on the album that I wrote with my fellow San Antonio Rose, Rosie Flores.  The Spanish songs “Fuente Vaqueros” and “El Marinero y La Sirena” were co-written with Michael Martin, also from my hometown of San Antonio.

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What has been the highlight of working on the recordings?

The effortless nature of working with Carl Thiel, the camaraderie with my musicians, and hearing the songs come to life with the instrumentation is always a highlight.

You have a very energetic and dramatic stage presence. What do you draw from for this? Dancing background, acting? Where do you think it comes from?

I love incorporating dance in my performance.  I love drama and theatrics, so my interpretation of my songs seem to be just that.  I like to put on a show and have fun! My mom gave me ballet lessons and she would take the family out to watch the MGM musicals, so that impressed me greatly.  Everything was cinematic and in Technicolor!

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When we first met to discuss a photo shoot, I had no idea that you spent some early years in NYC doing some modeling. What was that experience like for you? Did you have aspirations of getting into music and acting at that time?

I moved to NYC at age 19 to pursue the arts.  Working in NYC allowed me to work with amazing photographers.  I still fly back to NYC when opportunity knocks.  Modeling also helped me realize I had a desire to express myself with words and music not just movement in front of a camera.  It was an extension of itself.   I worked at venues that allowed me to perform, like the China Club and The Lonestar Roadhouse.  I just loved being around music.

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Can you tell the story of how you met your husband, Robert LaRoche, there?

I was working at the China Club in 1990, the premiere nightclub in NYC on the upper west side, and he was performing for the New Music Seminar with his band, The Sighs, from Massachusetts.   I was working coat check and heard the first song and was hooked.   I couldn’t see the band from the far corner where I was working.   But when I met him after the show we sparked a friendship and started dating two years later.   We didn’t start working together until eight years after we met.    But thankfully, we gave it a shot because now we get to tour the world together and make music.

You recently came off a tour with Rosie Flores. Are you still enjoying touring, or has it become less enjoyable over the years?

I love touring because of the generous fans out there.  We are about to embark on our 17th European tour this October.  The fans inspire the music and the opportunities do as well.  And any chance to tour with Rosie Flores, well I thank my lucky stars I learned to play the guitar and to write songs because these opportunities would have been given to someone else!

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You’re going back to Europe again later this year. Do you draw good crowds there? Have a good fan base? Favorite part of touring in Europe, and least favorite part?

We have a strong loyal following in Europe.   The fans are very enthusiastic and are real music lovers.   Least favorite part are the fender benders on the autobahn!  Keeping safe on the road is a major factor.   Keeping in good health is also a factor when exhaustion sets in.   On our UK tour alone we did 21 shows in 16 days.   That was including the in-store performances, which we had three in one day at times, driving in the dead of winter trying to make the gigs in a snow storm.   So in situations like that you don’t have time to really sightsee when you’re promoting a CD.   My favorite parts are, of course, the shows and meeting the people before and after the gigs, positive feedback at the shows, the pre-show meals, the hotels that they set you up in and the breakfasts!  They treat musicians really well in Europe.  They take really good care of us.  It’s always a plus to sightsee on an off day.  Touring Europe has been a fairytale dream come true.

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The Dollyrots

By Ed Verosky on September 13, 2009

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The other day I recognized The Dollyrots‘ music filling the air at my local Blockbuster.  Oh, there’s the song, “Because I’m Awesome” adding flavor to yet another movie, I thought.   In this case, a movie preview/trailer.  The Los Angeles-based band’s been getting lots of play over the last year or so.  Movie and TV show soundtracks, commercials, and videos.   All this after hooking up with legendary Rock icon, Joan Jett and her Blackheart Records label.

Couldn’t happen to a nicer group of people.  So nice, in fact, that after a long day and a set at Emo’s in Austin, guitarist, Luis Cabezas offered up the band’s services as my “posse” (volunteering to hang with me while I waited for my ride at the lately not-so-safe after-hours 6th and Red River location).  I gave the crew hugs and sent them on their way.  Way to treat a photographer, though.

Singer, Kelly Ogden, contacted me earlier that day to invite me to the “green room” for what would become a fun photo shoot.  When I arrived, she was putting on her makeup and deciding what to wear.  Chris Black (drummer) wandered in with some food.  Then a couple of film/videographers, who were traveling with the band, came in to tape anything that was going on.

Amongst the travel bags and other items I noticed a cute little dog.  “That’s  Quito,” said Kelly.   We made sure he got in on some of the pictures.  Luis came in and after everyone was ready, we put together a quick shoot.

The following interview was done just a few days ago:

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You have a new single out, “Bad Reputation,” a Joan Jett song. She must really like how you do what you do, to let you cover one of her signature hits. How did getting to record it come about?

Chris: Kevin Lyman who runs the Warped tour was producing a movie, Endless Bummer, and wanted Warped bands to cover hits from the 80’s.

Kelly: We were asked to do a Joan song for the movie soundtrack.  She’s in it!  And I fought so hard to convince everyone to let us do “Bad Reputation.” That song is to me what I think “Because I’m Awesome” is to a lot of our fans. But tougher and without the sarcasm. That song and “Rebel Girl” by Bikini Kill are my favorite scream-along-songs.

Luis: Basically, it was a 1-day session in L.A. at a studio called Seedy Underbelly. Same studio where we recorded about half of “Because I’m Awesome”. We kept the track the exact same speed as the original: 209 bpm. We heard back from Joan’s manager Kenny later that week with a text saying “Joan really likes your version of her song.” Obviously, this was really, really nice to hear. High praise.

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How did you hook up with Joan in the first place, and end up on her label, Blackheart Records?

Chris: Kelly got ballsy one day on warped and handed her our EP (soon to be “Because I’m Awesome”). Lookout records had announced that they wouldn’t be putting any new records out for a while (since Green Day pulled their catalog) so we needed a new home. I think Kelly knew she had to do what she had to do!

Kelly: We played Warped Tour in 2005 when Joan was on the tour. She was really cool and would hang out, so on our 2nd to last day I finally forced myself to give her our CD and introduce myself. This took a lot of “pumping up” and repeating “Stop being such a pussy!” in my head.

Luis: Basically, the record was 90% finished up by the time Kelly handed it to Joan, and everyone at her label fell in love with it. After being left label-less with Lookout’s demise this was really nice to hear.

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What’s Joan like as the head of a label (to you as a band)? No, REALLY, what’s she like?

Kelly: It’s like having the coolest, most bad ass older sister who knows exactly how it feels to do what you’re trying to do. She’s pretty sweet too.

Luis: She gives me kisses on the lips when we see each other. She’s hot.

Chris: She’s super supportive and like a well of information. Imagine being able to have a Queen of Rock and Roll as a consultant! She’s funny and sweet as hell!

Your new album is coming out early next year. Should we expect any changes in the sound?

Kelly: It’s less pop polished and more rock n’ roll. It’s a little more deliberate and parts of it might make you squirm, in a good way. We did whatever we wanted without caring about what genre we’re supposed to fit into or who would be listening. If you liked the last two you’ll like it. It’s that but better. The songs are amazing.

Chris: Definitely more raw and it shows a maturity we’ve gained from all the touring and promoting of “Because I’m Awesome”. It’s more straight forward rock n’ roll!

Do you like being in the studio? What’s your process like?

Kelly: Being in the studio is always a challenge. This time more than ever because we had a little more time and wanted it to be just right. I feel like being in the studio is when I grow the most as a musician. It’s also nice to have an excuse to drink whisky any time of day. The whisky is how I like to “warm-up my voice.” And the rest is just play it till it hurts. Literally. Bloody.

Luis: We reversed the normal recording process on this record for many of the songs; recording bass, guitars, and lots of the vocals first, followed by drums. It’s an unconventional way to cut a record, but it allowed us more freedom in terms of arrangements and making everything really tight.

Chris: Love the studio. The combination of electricity and creativity make it like summer camp. You’re feeling this cool thing come together and spending all this time cooped up together having no concept of time. You have to adjust to real life when you finally walk out of there. It takes a lot out of you.

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So, how’s Quito? How’d you find him again?

Chris: Quito is the Cheagle with a plan. He’s sassy, he’s frassy, he’s a dope little man!

Kelly: Quito is the best dog ever. I got him from a shelter last Halloween. My only complaint is that he loves me too much and freaks out when I leave. Even for two minutes. It must suck for him. But what can I say? I’m just that lovable. Ha!

Luis: We recorded a hip hop song about him called “Count ‘Em Up Quito”. It’s dope.

Do you find yourselves in a weird situation where you’ve had lots of success and exposure, but aren’t big, rich rock stars yet? I think lots of people figure, once you’re signed and get songs in movies and commercials, you’re living the easy life.

Chris: Absolutely. Rock n’ roll is mostly a blue collar job these days. I think we’re constantly balancing on the edge of having to rejoin the “real world”. Personally, I feel like it’s only gonna get better though. We’re not that far from the carrot on the end of the stick!

Kelly: Yes. It’s really lame. People think my reality is really different from what it is. I still live in the same apartment I moved into when I moved to LA, steal wi-fi from a neighbor, use public transportation, and bring my own booze to bars. AND I’m really smart with my money. People don’t realize how many people it takes to make “The Dollyrots” work. The money gets split into a lot of pieces. But it’s my only “job” and I love it.

Luis: Even though we’re not wealthy by any means, I’m grateful every day to not have to wake up and go work for the Man.

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Worst fear? Biggest Dream?

Kelly: Worst fear: a job I’m not passionate about. Biggest dream: to continue putting “musician” as my occupation on tax forms until I die.

Chris: Worst fear: 9-5 in a cubicle. Biggest dream: Making records for as long as I choose to without worrying about bills!

Luis: Worst fear is the coming 2012 Apocalypse. Biggest dream is the coming 2012 Apocalypse.

Anything else you’d like to talk about that I forgot to ask about?

Chris: I like to eat Mint Chocolate Chip ice cream on top of warm brownies so much it’s a wonder I don’t weigh 400 lbs!

Kelly: Chris is a junk food junkie. We might have to do an intervention some day. We’ll make sure it’s really embarrassing and made into a TV show. I kid. We really all love each other. Most of the time. Oh yeah, I almost forgot… you’re going to LOVE the new record.

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Tara Holloway

By Ed Verosky on July 25, 2009

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tara-red-wall1I’m standing in the mens’ restroom, camera in hand, inside Momo’s nightclub in Austin, TX. The door is open, exposing the lavatory to the narrow walk-through that serves as a passage from the outside deck into the club’s booth area.

I don’t really care that some guy is in there wondering what I’m taking pictures of. It’s the only way I can get a full-length shot of the girl standing on the other side of the doorway, up against the red painted brick wall opposite me. She’s holding a Corona. I’m glad she’s game for one last set of pictures. We’ve been shooting at a different location for a couple of hours already, and I know she didn’t expect to continue the shoot at the club.  I tell her this is the last picture, “I promise.”

Just a few minutes before, Tara Holloway was taking it all in as we sat on the steps of Momo’s deck. From there, you’ve got a relatively good view of the stage and can hear the music without it being on top of you. Kacy Crowley was doing a solo acoustic set for the small late-afternoon crowd. Holloway sat jotting notes into her red Moleskine. “I’m not copying her lyrics. Really, I’m not!,” she assured me with a playful grin.

And she has no reason to. Like Crowley, Holloway writes from a very honest and open place. It’s so real you can feel it. It’s so good, you want to hear it over and over.

You have a great laugh. It’s one of the first things people think of when they think of you.

It’s something that people can’t help but to mock actually! hahHAhHa! They mean it affectionately, but it happens alot where I laugh, and then someone else does the whole Count Dracula thing. Is that what I sound like? Laughing is the best thing ever… hahahHAhhahha!

Your voice is often compared to some of the great female vocalists for its strength, texture, and heartfelt power? You know what I’m talking about. How do you feel about those comparisons?

I feel GREAT about those comparisons! Thanks Ed! Women in music will easily always be compared to one another, and really all music is like that. People want to name it, when they hear it. It’s just about communicating a feeling, when you compare. I do it!

You mentioned Howlin Wolf as a major influence. Can you talk about that. How were you introduced to his music?

Vinyl. That’s how i got into Howlin Wolf and alot of my early influences come from my Daddio’s record collection. I really got into the blues when I was 16 [1996]. It didn’t matter that none of my friends ever thought twice about a turntable, I did.

My dad was always giving me shit for listening to everything on vinyl. He figures it’s a saving grace to record it on tape, the first listen. But I had a love for dropping that needle and listening to the crackles. Still do.

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Yeah my dad would come home after a Saturday morning out record hunting, he’d open my door a hair (I was always still sleeping by noon, when he’d be arriving home with what gold he found), and he’d yell from the kitchen, so excited, “Kid! Listen to this!” And he’d be blasting the new records so I could hear.

Where do you play locally, in Ottawa? What’s that like?

I play EVERYWHERE in Ottawa. There are some really great legendary places to play in and around Ottawa. Each with a different vibe. Honestly, some gigs are just to keep my head above water. These are called “cover gigs” hahahHHA! But the original shows are special.

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The Avant Garde Bar, a Russian, below ground level vodka bar, is a gentle force on it’s own. Zaphod’s has LOTS of history, lots of bands, always a great gig. Wakefield, on the Quebec side, but only a twenty-minute drive frum downtown Ottawa, is one of my favorite places to play. An amazing vibe, wow.

The crowds in Ottawa are very used to being able to see live music every night of the week, so it can be a struggle to get ‘em out. But when they do it’s a trip. I have a great little fan base in Ottawa, not to mention a killer support system, I’ll always call that home.

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You’re doing some stuff in the U.S. Can you tell me about all that?

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Yes, as long as you don’t have any friends in the border guard hahHHAhHahhahAHHA! I’ve been coming out to Los Angeles for a couple years now, making my record with Dave Way. That’s shaping up! And it’s been a good run of gigs now everytime I’m here. And now I’m expanding a little… Nashville, Austin.. havin’ a ball tryin’ to do this thing, south of the [Canadian] border.

How did you meet up with Dave Way? Is this turning out to be something that might go somewhere? A CD perhaps? Fame, fortune?

A CD fer sure! And hopefully that goes somewhere! We met through a mutual friend, Andy Sturmer (Jellyfish) who I was going to make this record with. Dave had heard a couple tracks and said, “Yes! I’ll engineer it!” Eventually Andy got so busy, with his permission Dave and I started working together. It’s been a match made in heaven. I hope more people will hear what we’ve been cooking up, real soon.

What’s the personal life like right now?

The personal life is an up and down thing, especially with the way I’ve been living the last few years. I have ALOT of kickass friends, most of whom are in the same field. Are there any people NOT doing music, ‘cuz i rarely meet them?!

My extended family has been a backbone for me up until recently. You know how it goes, lack of communication leads to a breakdown of relationships. But that’s all for the best, too! I have had alot of heartbreak in the last four years, which gives me songs to write, something to say, and a stronger sense of self.

Recently I’ve met another artist, and this is a whole new ballgame for me. I miss alot of normal life stuff that goes on, ‘cuz i’m away alot, but now i have a partner who is creative like me, and understands what drives me. I miss him! But that’s the way it goes at this point in my career; missing certain things, to create opportunities elsewhere.

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What is your music about? As if we didn’t know it’s about you, but in your own words, please.

Oh shit, you can tell. eh? hahaHAh! When I was a teenager, I started writing verbatim, about the things I felt, thought, and saw around me. I tricked myself into thinking that since it’s in a song, nobody will know fer sure if it’s about me. Well that way of writing REALLY stuck with me. I have to be brave, because I wouldn’t write about anything at all if I didn’t write about the truth. It’s a big ol’ habit at this point. It’s just like, oh yeah, gonna divulge that now, okay! Here we go! hahahhahHAHAHa!

Look for new Tara Holloway music, and her current touring schedule, on her MySpace page.


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