Allie Gonino – The Red Road

By: Lisa Steinberg

Q) Talk a little bit about “The Red Road” finale and the repercussions.

A) I think the biggest shocker for me when I read that script was Jean *SPOILER ALERT* killing her dad. Actually, we don’t know if Junior (Kiowa Gordon) or Marie (Tamara Tunie) lived through getting shot in the episode. Aaron Guzikowski has a beautiful way of intertwining all of the stories. You think you are watching several different stories, but then they all come together in the end for a crazy, dramatic ending. I think episode six was definitely my favorite of the season.

Q) What were your first thoughts when you read about the possible death and loss in the episode?

A) It was shocking. I was really shocked to see that Jean (Julianne Nicholson) had it inside of her to actually commit murder. She has kind of put herself on the same playing field as Kop (Jason Mamoa) is in a way. They are not so different. Actually, I didn’t get to watch the episodes so I don’t know what was left in or left out. The way that it was written that it still made it into the final cut was where Rachel breaks up with Junior because she doesn’t feel she can be with someone and really be in a successful relationship because she is afraid she is going to become like her mom. She’s afraid she’ll be capable of hurting people that she loves. That, for me, was real because I’ve felt that in my own life. I’m most afraid of hurting the people that I love, but  it is often the people that I love who I end up hurting. It’s shocking and it’s drama. So, no one is safe. I was definitely expecting someone to die, but I didn’t expect the deaths to happen in the way that they happened. Again, I think Aaron does a good job of finessing the deaths that occur on our show.

Q) With Rachel and her arc this season, what are your thoughts on where we leave her and what she has been through this season?

A) I can’t speak for where she might be in the future because we don’t know if we are getting a third season, but it is interesting to see a character like Rachel who is really trying to grow up and be a normal teenager. Because of her circumstances and the people that she is being raised by, it is interesting to see how she is developing a pattern for living her life in fear because of all the chaos going on all around her. She’s started shutting herself off to love now and I think it is interesting and an interesting angle on telling a story about the human spirit and the way that it works.

Q) The show is six episodes in season. Talk a little bit about fitting in so many storylines in such a short time.

A) The good thing about our show is that there isn’t a huge cast and there are many different storylines that take place. As an actress, I’m not in every scene so you just act what you are given with the writing and I’d ask Aaron what the writing process is like. For me, as an actress, it’s like working on any other project. You just try to stay as authentic to the character as possible and play what you are given.

Q) You recently released your new EP featuring the single “Vamp.” Where did the inspiration come from for your music?

A) Some of the songs I went in with an intention to write about something, like “Mad Man” was written about the specific situation. My parents were going through a really rough time at that point and I wanted to write a song from my mom’s perspective. The other songs really just came from sitting down with an instrument and playing. The lyrics just sort of came and I didn’t have any idea what I was writing about until I started writing down words on the paper. It took about off and on like two months to record and then mixing and mastering we actually did and then I ended up remixing and remastering the EP. The process took several months before its completion. I’m really proud of it and it is just a nice extra project to have. I don’t know if I’ll release something solo again, but it’s good for me to get those songs out and get some practice as a producer.

Q) What were some of the things you learned about producing by doing it all on your own?

A) I didn’t do it entirely on my own. I had one co-producer, which was really helpful. He engineered and mixed the EP as well as helped to produce it. I think the exciting thing for me was that I got to have a say in what sound specifically and what got taken out and how the overall sound came out. I got to be a part of helping with the string arrangements and the horn arrangements. It was a lot of writing and I still have so much to learn in terms of how to mic instruments to get a certain sound. I have no experience engineering. I’m sure that will come down the road, but one step at a time!

Q) How did you choose “Vamp” as the lead single?

A) I chose that one because it has a really nice groove. I just like the beat and it’s an empowering song. That was one that I wrote just because. There was no reason. They were just the lyrics that came out when I started singing. There is a cool story there. I like the story and I love the horn section in the middle. It has a great vibe and I think it is a really strong song to introduce people to my voice and my music.

Q) Where can fans get the EP?

A) It is available on iTunes and you can listen on Spotify. I would eventually like to make some money off of making music some day because it costs a lot of money to make it. So, I always encourage people to buy it on iTunes or Amazon. You can listen to it for free and test it out on Spotify and Soundcloud.

Q) What are the other projects you have been working on?

A) I’m crossing my fingers for season three of “The Red Road.” I would love to go back and shoot in Atlanta again. I’m doing a movie right now called The Preacher’s Confession. It will be airing sometime in September. Although, I can’t share what network at the moment. I’m just going to be making music.