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Ally Cupcake released her solo debut EP, Talk of the Town, on iTunes on August 4th, 2009. Since, she has put a lot of work into getting her name out there. From Twitter to video blogs, she has used viral marketing to her advantage. She was kind enough to answer some questions I had for her. Make sure to check her Myspace for fall tour dates which should be posted soon.

Q. Where did the name Ally Cupcake come from?
A. My parents called me Cupcake a lot growing up. One day a couple of years ago, I decided to change my name on Myspace. I had no idea it would take off the way it did, so I just decided to roll with it. It suits me!

Q. What can we expect from the EP you just released?
A. The new EP, Talk of the Town, is more diverse than what I’ve done in the past. It has upbeat songs, harder songs and a softer ballad. It shows off my vocal range more, and I feel like there’s something for everyone. I’m starting to come into my own and grow as an artist, and I believe this EP shows that.

Q. Who are the bands you would do anything to tour with?
A. Something Corporate! I heard a rumor that they’re talking about a reunion tour and I want in! I would also love to tour with Fall Out Boy, Something Corporate, Jack’s Mannequin, No Doubt, Let’s Get It, Jimmy Eat World, Blink 182, All Time Low, You Me and Everyone We Know, Ellington…. That list could go on forever.

Q. Where does Ally Cupcake reside in today’s music scene?
A. I’m still pretty low in the food chain, but I’m making my way up the old fashioned way. A lot of hard work and heart goes into everything I do. I don’t want to be a flash in the pan or a one hit wonder, I want as lasting of a career. I’m a solo artist, but I’m working like I’m in a band. Internet promotion and small club tours versus going straight to labels. When I reach the top, I want to look back and be able to say I truly earned it.

Q. Given the chance, what would you tell your fans to do in order to keep Ally Cupcake alive and making music?
A. Keep listening and keep loving. Pick up the new EP (it’s only $5 at www.allycupcake.com!) and come out to my shows. Pick up some merch and hang out with me!

Q. What bands did you listen to growing up?
A. Queen, The Cars, Green Day, No Doubt, Blink 182, Jimmy Eat World, Something Corporate, New Found Glory. Those were all my favorites.

Q. What got you your start in music? When did you know it was what you wanted to do with your life?
A. I was four years old the first time I performed. It was a pre-school Christmas pageant, and I was playing a singing goat. I remember being so nervous to get on that stage, but the second I opened my mouth to sing I just knew. I know it sounds crazy because I was so young, but everything just clicked for me, and I spent every moment I could after that dedicating myself to music.

Q. What are your thoughts on illegal downloading, and what is the effect of it on Ally Cupcake?
A. Illegal downloading is a touchy subject. I firmly believe that the age of digital music is putting a strain on artists big and small. Why would anyone pay $5 for an album when they can download it somewhere else for free or get a friend to file share it with them? The economy is in such a slump that every $5 is starting to count. Unfortunately, I think some people fail to realize that independent artists such as myself rely on that money to cover the cost of recording and need it for things like merch and tour. I don’t have a label to give me money for those things, so every album sale truly matters in keeping me afloat. I’ve been really fortunate to have a handful of friends and fans that understand how important it is to actually buy my record, and I’m so thankful for them.

Q. What are your thoughts on the music industry as of its current state?
A. I think it’s just a matter of time before the industry comes crashing down around us. Personally, I’m looking forward to that day because I want to have a hand in rebuilding it the right way. I don’t like this trend of people with little to no actual talent being on top of the charts when there are so many good and truly talented artists struggling to be seen and heard. I’m tired of overly auto tuned singers getting so much credit, and I hate to see the younger generation believing that those “artists” actually hold any merit. I want like to see an industry with less greed, more talent, and artists that are doing it for the love of it and not the money.

Q. Has the music industry changed for you even though you have been a part of it for a relatively short time?
A.  Yes. There’s been a sudden rise in female fronted bands. Several years ago, when I first started fronting bands, it wasn’t nearly as common as it is now. Paramore hit it big and everyone started jumping on the bandwagon. It’s nice to see more women making it big in the industry, but at the same time I fear it can be taken away just as quickly if it gets too played out. It all goes back to a broken industry that’s more focused on a package and a product than music itself.

Q. What are your favorite records, movies, and books?
A. My absolute favorite record is Leaving Through the Window by Something Corporate. I’m also a big fan of The Cars self-titled album circa 1979, Fall Out Boy’s Take This To Your Grave, and Party for the Grown and Sexy by You Me and Everyone We Know. My favorite movies are Empire Records, Forgetting Sarah Marshall, and Madagascar. My Favorite books are Daniel Quinn’s Ishmael and Bill Maher’s New Rules. Oh and if comics count, The Umbrella Academy: Apocalypse Suite because it’s brilliant!

Q. If you could have wrote any song in existence, which one would it be?
A. That’s a really tough question because there are so many songs I love and connect with. In all honesty, had I written any of the songs that have really inspired me I don’t think I would be where I am today as a songwriter.

Q. With Twitter becoming the new way to interact online, what has it done for your band?
A. Twitter has done a lot for me, actually. It’s so much easier to connect with people and it’s a highly effective promotional tool. Myspace is starting to lose it’s relevance and more people are paying attention to Twitter above all the other social networking sites. I launched a Twitter campaign over the summer, complete with a video telling everyone to Tweet Mark Hoppus “Ally Cupcake” every day. I never intended it to go anywhere since he has so many followers, but in a matter of weeks he took notice. He tweeted me, listened to my music and followed me for all of 24 hours. It’s really cool watching everyone come together and seeing a result. Twitter just makes it so much easier.

Q. If you could co-write with anyone dead or a live, who would it be and why?
A. I would love to co-write with Andrew McMahon. I’ve always really connected with and been inspired by his music. It would be so great to sit down and write a song with him.

Q. How does Ally Cupcake go about song writing?
A. It varies from song to song. Sometimes I’ll sit down and write lyrics and come up with a melody, then have music put to it. Other times, someone will give me a song and I’ll fit lyrics and a melody to the music. It depends on the mood I’m in and the person I’m working with.

Q. Who has produced your records, and how have they influenced your writing process?
A. The EP I did with The Soundtrack was produced by Jason Andrews at Spotlight Sound. Until I got my new music up, that’s all I had to go on. Jason was interesting to work with because he likes a very polished sound and pushes you really hard. As a result, my range really stepped up by the time I was done with the record. My latest EP was done with Tom Denney (ex-A Day to Remember guitarist) at Titan Studio. The recording process was very rushed and I did six songs in three days, including my harmonies and ad libs. I did everything on that record in three takes or less, so it’s a lot more organic and heartfelt than my last record. I plan on starting my full length this winter and I really hope to showcase my range a little more and grow as a songwriter.

Q: Who would you want to do guest vocals on the next Ally Cupcake album?
A. Andrew McMahon! I’m so set on getting him on a song with me. I’d also love to work with Patrick Stump or Alex Gaskarth because I think our voices would mesh really well.

Q. What are some bands you want people to know about?
A. Ellington! LISTEN TO THEM NOW BECAUSE THEY’RE AMAZING! Also, make sure to check out We Are Only Fiction, Dang We’re on Fire, and American Me.

Q. Where would you have to go for you to say you “made it”?
A. “Making it” is subjective, really. For me, I already feel like I’ve made it in little ways. Every time I’m on the radio, every time one of my songs airs on MTV, every time someone knows who I am….I feel like I’ve made it a little further. I’d  definitely like to be touring eight months out of the year and have my CD and merch in stores though. Until then, I’ll just keep enjoying the small accomplishments as they come!

Q. Are there any shout outs?  Last words?
A.  Make sure to check out my music and pick up a digital copy of my new EP if you dig it! Also, I hope to meet all of  you while I’m out on the road this fall and winter. Tour dates will be posted on myspace shortly. And of course, huge thanks to Jan for being so supportive of my music. Hopefully you’ll all be wearing Applicant Apparel shirts when I see you at my shows! :)

iTunes: Download
Myspace: myspace.com/allycupcakemusic