ALO – Silver Saturdays

By starrymag | April 11, 2023

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

Q) How would you describe your sound?

 

A) We’ve been wrestling with what to call our music since we first started playing together over thirty years ago.  To me we just sound like ALO, but I know that doesn’t really answer your question.  This year we’ve been toying with calling our music Jam-Pop, though we’re not all in agreement on this. Here’s my latest attempt…ALO sounds like the intersection of soulful, feel good, 70’s soft rock mixed with the freedom, idealism and psychedelic exploratory tendencies of the Northern California Bay Area….

 

Q) Who are some of your musical influences?

 

A) We started out very much rooted in the classic rock tradition, guitar, bass, drums, keys and a good song. Once we got to college our musical pallet really expanded, we started exploring and never really stopped.

 

Q) Talk about the story behind your new song “Growing Your Hands Back.” What do you think it is about the song that fans connect to?

 

A) The lyrics to “Growing Your Hands Back” were inspired by an old folktale about a young woman who has her hands taken from her by an evil Rumpelstiltskin-like creature.  Eventually, over the course of the story, she grows her hands back. The idea really spoke to me. When we first started playing shows after the initial California COVID lock down.  I imagined the hands that were growing back were my own and they were being used to play music and clap.  I actually wrote the lyrics with ALO fans in mind.  I sensed a little bit of awkwardness at our shows when California first opened up after the lockdown.  There was a feeling that maybe it wasn’t safe to be together again, dancing and singing.  I wanted this song to be a gentle funky welcome back to the communal live music experience.

 

Q) How does the video for the track play into the message behind it?

 

A) I really love how the video plays against the lyrics of the song. The song lyrics are all metaphors, so seeing the images actually come to life makes me giddy.

 

Q) What is your song writing process? 

 

A) I’m always working on new songs, jotting down phrases and lyrical ideas and recording little snippets of music whenever I’m struck by an idea. Eventually, I start putting the pieces together and new songs emerge.

 

Q) Do you need music before you can create lyrics?

 

A) I go both ways

 

Q) How much of a hand do you have in the production of your music?

 

A) Since our beginning ALO has always been really involved with the production of our records.  The band is deeply collaborative.  We were fortunate enough to work with some stellar producers in our early years (Scott Theakston, Robert Carranza and Jack Johnson) and they really helped refine our sound in the studio. We’ve also used the same engineer/co-producer David Simon-Baker, on almost every ALO record.  He really understands our group processes.

 

Q) Your LP Silver Saturdays is out now! What are some themes you explore on it?

 

A) We really explored what it means to be in a band on this record. Everyone brought in songs of their own, that we fine-tuned and arranged as a group. As a result, there’s lots of harmony and sharing of lead vocals throughout.  For me, thematically it feels like a record about growth and musical connections.

 

Q) “Hot Damn” and “Sparrow” are a couple of my personal fav songs on your LP. Which track(s) hold a special place in your heart and what makes them so significant?

 

A) My favorite track on the album is Ezra’s [Lipp] “Goodnight Song.” I love the simple sweetness of the song lyrics, but I also really love how it showcases the band, specifically the group harmonies, the beautiful whistle solo by “Good Time” Stevie Adams, the haunting Lebo lap steel fills, Ezra’s understated vocal delivery and my own piano/organ playing.

 

Q) What songs on the LP were the most challenging for you creatively?

 

A) The opening song “Make it Back Home” was kind of tricky. We wanted to pack a lot into it in a short amount of time. In a live setting we allow our music to grow and expand, a single song with a jam can easily be ten minutes long. With this record we had a goal of recording ten songs and getting them to fit on two sides of vinyl, at twenty-two-ish minutes per side.  This meant we had to be hyper aware of song lengths while still allowing space and breath around each tune. “Make It Back Home” has multiple jam moments built into it, so we really had to pick and choose when and where to expand.

 

Q) What do you hope listeners take away from exploring your new music on Silver Saturdays?  

 

A) I hope listeners can feel and appreciate all the love and care we put into these songs.

 

Q) This Spring you’re out on Tour d’Amour XVI. What songs off Silver Saturdays are you looking forward to fans hearing live?  

 

A) We play a different set every night, so there’s always plenty of room for new music. I’m excited to play all of them.

 

Q) Where are some of your favorite places to perform and what makes those locations so significant to you?

 

A) I’m excited to be back at the Fillmore in San Francisco this year.  Every show is special, and every venue has great things about it, but the Fillmore is hallowed ground, and it always feels like an honor to be playing there.

 

Q) Who would you most like to collaborate with on a song in the future?

 

A) I’d like to do a song with Bad Bunny.  I just learned today that aside from being a massive star of reggaeton. He’s also a WWF style wrestler. I’d like to write a song with him about wrestling.  I know it’s a long shot, but a kid can dream.

 

Q) What album/band are you currently listening to and why do you dig them?  

 

A) Today while driving I listened all the way through to “Sounds of Silver” by LCD Sound System. It’s an album I’ve listened to a lot over the years.  I love the combination of sequenced synth textures and a live band with heart and humor.

 

Q) You are a part of social media. Why is that such an important way for you to connect with your fans?

 

A) At this point the entire world is connected through social media. I’m not always sure it’s a healthy thing for us, but regardless I believe it’s here to stay, and I want to be a part of the conversation.  As an artist I feed off the act of creating something, but I also feed off connection.  It’s not enough to make music. I really want people to listen to it and love it.  Being able to reach fans and get instant feedback through social media is an amazing and addictive gift. I love it, but I also keep it at a distance.

 

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?

 

A) I’d like to give ‘em a big old hug and say thank you from the deepest depths of my heart.

 

 

 

All Questions Answered By Zach Gill