December 6, 2007

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

..> ..>

--> Katie Stuckey performs at Cosmos Cafe. --> --> --> --> --> --> --> credit and caption --> Tony Bullard: For the Chronicle

Oct. 3, 2007, 2:58PM
Katie Stuckey
Katie Stuckey is real and ready for the big-time
--> --> --> --> --> -->

By SARA CRESS
Copyright 2007 Houston Chronicle

Katie Stuckey and the Swagger

--> --> --> --> --> --> --> &x2022; Podcast: Listen to Sara Cress' interview with Katie Stuckey.

-->• See the band live: 9 p.m. Wednesday, October 10. Blanco's, 3406 W. Alabama. And October 14 at the Continental Club, 3700 Main.

--> --> --> --> --> --> --> end rboxes --> --> --> --> --> --> --> --> -->

The first step was to move back to Houston after attending college at an Ohio music conservatory and time spent living and struggling in New York and Los Angeles. Houston, you might be surprised to learn, has proven to be the right move.

"The opportunities are there in Los Angeles, but you don't really get paid. You might pay the club if you don't get enough people at your show. I just took a step back and thought about music that I write; I have an alt-country/folk edge, and I think that serves me well. I knew that I could get people out to shows in Houston and make money and actually do things that could push me further," she says.

After only a year and a half back in her birth city, Stuckey finds herself on the lips of local Americana music lovers, opening for Charlie Robison, winning this year's Houston Press Music Award for best female vocalist, and all without a lot of intrusive promotion.

Stuckey's disarming ways translate easily onto the stage. A background in theater likely helps, but it's her desire to be as "real" as singers like Brandi Carlile and Patty Griffin that has truly served her well.

"It's hard to find inspiration in a city like L.A., where every corner has Ashlee Simpson's face or an American Idol ad. It's hard to be real in that environment. I'm influenced by artists that seem real to me. They don't burn out or do reality shows."

Like Carlile and Griffin, Stuckey's got the goods. Her smoky, spot-on voice carries with little effort and no precious gimmicks.

"I think my voice sets me apart from other singer-songwriters. The song only takes you so far. I've seen up-and-comers, and they will be singing a really good song, but you wish that their voice could just go there, and it can't."

What really sets Stuckey apart, though, is the most obvious: She's a woman.

"I'm glad to be a girl," she says. "There are so many guy singer-songwriters, especially in Texas. It hurts when trying to get into certain venues, though. It's a boys club. One booking agent said that he didn't want to book female performers because women decide where men will go and women want to see male singer-songwriters.

"He ended up booking me anyway," she says with a smile. Must be that charm.

The next step in the plan: Stuckey's self-titled debut is nearly ready for release. It's a collection of songs recorded and produced with the help of friends in Los Angeles. Now that she's in Houston, she's looking forward to getting into the studio with her own band, known as the Swagger: Will Thomas, guitar; Mark Riddell, bass; Craig Feazel, pedal steel; Chris Lewis, drums.

"There's definitely a different sound now because I'm working with different musicians. I'm excited to have the album and sell it, but at the same time I'm already ready to go back in the studio."

Finally, though Houston has proven to be a good stepping stone for her career in music, it may only be a temporary stop.

"I don't plan to do the Houston circle forever. I love it here, it's been really good for me and the band, but it's been with a goal in mind. Being more involved in the Austin scene will probably be more beneficial. I hate to say that because I'm not a Houson hater, but there's more opportunity in Austin. Why not take advantage of that?"

Next up was Katie Stuckey and the Swagger at the Hard Rock. No other show had as many family members as this one; loving beams of pride emanating off of every face. Stuckey's rich, Kelly Willis-ish vocals combined with a talented, photogenic band and her own lovely face will likely get this girl far. If she can become a Mucky Duck stage regular, she'll be headlining in Austin very soon.

"Conservatory-trained chanteuse Stuckey doesn't care what you call her twangy acoustic music, so long as you don't label her a "hard-core rapper- not that I'm opposed to it!" And in fact, the redhead has much more in common with heroes like Carole King and Patty Griffin, which is to say the best kind of Americana-that stuff that edges toward darkness and never goes treacly."

-Houston Press-

Local gal Katie Stuckey opens for Charlie Robison

Headed to the Charlie Robison show on Thursday night? You might consider arriving in time to see opener Katie Stuckey. Relatively new to the Houston scene, Stuckey's an alt-country-folk-rock singer-songwriter with a sweet, engaging voice. I asked her a few questions and she graciously answered: ..> ..>

Jarred King Katie Stuckey opens for Charlie Robison at Warehouse Live on Thursday.

Q. How long have you been performing and how long have you been performing in Houston?

A. I've been "performing" since I was very young. I've been writing and performing my own music for about three years. I've been performing here in Houston for a little over a year now.

Q. What is your earliest memory of singing?

A. My brother and I used to tape record ourselves singing and then play it back over and over. I also remember road trips with my family and singing late at night with my Dad when my mom and brother fell asleep. He taught me how to harmonize! We listened to a Garth Brooks tape from Colorado to Texas one time until we knew all of the words. Funny how these things come back to you!

Q. What topics do you find yourself revisiting in your songs? Are there any topics can you never successfully capture in a song?

Without being intentional about it, I tend to refer to holding on to what you want, striving for what you desire: dreams, etc. Must be a subconscious thing!
The more I write I realize that I am directly influenced by my physical surroundings, and Texas inspires me. There is something in the air here that pulls me in. I don't know if it's the people, the other songwriters who have come before me, the history, or a combination of it all, but it influences my music greatly. It's where I belong, I know that much!

When it comes to emotions, I think my strength is capturing moments with my lyrics. Moments that I remember, yes, but they are also easy for an audience to relate to. Sometimes it's a moment of loss, of love, or a moment that sparks change. Yeah, those are the big ones I guess.

Moments I struggle to capture. Hmm. Funny moments? My life is funny, my friends are funny, I'm pretty funny, but my songs aren't funny! What gives?!

Q. List three influences and your favorite song from each.

Oh this is a fun one. Patty Griffin -- Nobody's Crying. Brandi Carlile -- Again Today. Amos Lee -- Black River. (I could go on and on and on.)

Q. Fans of ____ will like my music because ____.

Fans of Charlie Robison will like my music because we both like to tell stories.

Details: 9 p.m. Thursday. $15. Warehouse Live, 813 St. Emanuel. 713-225-5483.

Also 9-10 p.m. Saturday. Continental Club, 3700 Main. 713-529-9899