Ali Coyle is a Los Angeles and Orange County based musician who has played in countless bands including Sullen Ray–who you’ll recognize as our intro song, and her old main project This Time With Feeling. Currently, she plays in NOBLES and Glasz, but her main project is Strangers Inc, which she does with her writing and production partner Javan Slagle.
Ali joined me on Skype from Los Angeles, while we weathered the crazy storm that overtook southern California this past winter. We talk a lot about her current project Strangers Inc and why she’s excited about going in a new direction musically, the music scene in Orange County compared to Los Angeles and San Diego–and sorry, I can’t help shit talking LA some more, but I like being proven wrong as well– and music collectives and collaborations.
Find Strangers Inc at their website or through their frequently updated Instagram account @strangersinc.
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Listen Here
http://traffic.libsyn.com/grrlongrrl/GRRL013__Musical_collectives_and_learning_from_playing_in_side_projects_featuring_Ali_Coyle_of_Strangers_Inc.mp3
Download here. [~30 mins, 59MB]
Shownotes
[1:30] Writing and playing in This Time With FeelingBased in Orange County, great music communityKnowing when projects need to endTransitioning to Los Angeles from Orange County[2:30] Being a supporting member in a band versus being the front person[3:30] Collaborating with long-time friend Javan Slagle to create Strangers Inc“Secret sneak peek” on their Soundcloud: Uploaded as a way to show This Time With Feeling fans what direction the new project is going[4:45] What made Ali go from indie pop to electronic?Javan’s influence with synth and productionUsing Ali’s guitar as a sample in the tracksDark and sexy, “moody and dark… a rainy night kind of mood.”[6:15] Musical identity: being known as a bass player in Los Angeles when she doesn’t consider bass as her main instrument[7:00] Kat Hamilton – RemindersOfficial music video for RemindersFacebook page for Kat Hamilton[11:00] Does Orange County have a good music scene?Small, tight-knit, genuine, and supportiveWayfarer in Costa Mesa, Constellation Room in Santa Ana, Observatory in Santa Ana“Do you miss Orange County?”[12:45] After playing those same few venues over and over, where do you go from there if you want to grow?Moving to LA vs. staying in Orange CountyMAPS – collective of musicians that own a studio together (Instagram)“That happens in LA as well, but you have to find it.” Ali references Laura of Psychic Love as an example of this in LA.[14:25] Trying to convince Orange County band members to play in Los AngelesKnowing the right spots to play“It’s hard to break into… and find your pocket.”San Diego as a friendly music scene?[15:30] Psychic Love – Nancy (Soundcloud)[19:00] Complementary and collaborative skills to create Strangers Inc with her writing partner Javan SlagleTrusting each other“Inc” allows Strangers Inc keep the project open-ended and maybe start bringing other people in. It doesn’t have to be all music.[20:15] The songwriting process for Strangers Inc.Using their upcoming single as an example of the processTransformation, learning something new, and getting new ideas“When you’re too comfortable with something, you get too comfortable.” Taking risks is important. (Call back to episode 10 with Miah Spring.) Getting out of your comfort zonePlaying fast music (with three-part harmonies!) with NOBLES in Orange County, who will be releasing a live video on on YouTube soon[24:30] Strangers Inc – CycloneOther Notes & Thanks!
Thank you again to Ali Coyle for taking the time to Skype with me.
Special thanks to: Sullen Ray who graciously allows me to use their song “Get Up Got It” as the Grrl on Grrl podcast intro and outro–listen to and buy their album Blue Minor on Bandcamp and look out for the upcoming new album Outside the Color Wheel; Greg Guiliano for his financial support; and Gary Hankins for making the episode sound good.
And to all my friends who have been so supportive of this project, I love you!
