Allie Farris

For the past couple of years, a bunch of pop music has been taking its cues from dance beats, that regimented pulse evident even in hits from acoustic folkies like Mumford. In each of their heydays, Elton John, Billy Joel and Ben Folds showed us that there are other, more supple ways to arrive at the catchiest part of a song, and piano-playing local singer-songwriter Allie Farris has the goods to drive the lesson home once again. She’s the product of some formal training — from jazz studies with Norah Jones’ former piano teacher to songwriting courses at Berklee College of Music — but she’s mostly worked her style out on club stages from here to Club Passim. That’s why it makes good sense that she’s recording her new album in front of a live audience at this show, with piano-pop kindred spirit Gabe Dixon in her backing band. Here’s hoping her billowing ballad “How Is Your Love (Tonight)” isn’t the only artfully finessed, classic pop melodrama she has in her back pocket. Lord knows that’s something we haven’t heard in a while. - Jewly Hight

“… years from now, people are gonna know your name. It’s just, it’s great, it’s great stuff.“ -

“…she is a great mix of everything great about Carly Simon, Joni Mitchell, Carol King, and Diana Krall … but something even more fresh and current for today’s world.” - Chuck Beard

"...What makes Allie so unusual, is that she is both gifted in writing words and music and she can give an incredible performance..." - The Dallas Morning News

Allie Farris writes intelligently crafted songs heavily influenced by the 1970s classic rock she listened to as a young girl; it’s seems only natural that she is now an inspiration to other young songwriters. Allie has found a home in Nashville after going to school in her native Texas and spending some time in Boston. Allie’s accolades continue to grow as does her discography. Allie’s contemporary piano-driven songs are melodic, thought-provoking and exceptionally memorable.

Three of your songs on your latest EP are co-writes with Gabe Dixon, Robby Hecht, and Josh Goode. Was this your first time writing with these three musicians? How would you describe the experience of co-writing songs?

Josh and I met in my hometown, Dallas, and ended up writing that, our first song together, over skype! Robby’s a great friend of mine, and we were in Austin at the same time last year when we wrote that song (our first) together. Gabe, however, is my most frequent co-writing partner I’ve ever had. We’ve written about 10 so far. Normally I would say that co-writing is a joint effort, full of compromises from two different points of view, but Gabe and I seem to really write well and in synch with one another. It’s very easy, like we’re on the same page.

You’re planning a “live” CD next and you’ll be working with Gus Berry who has worked closely with Liz Longley. What will he bring to the table? Is it tricky producing a live CD? Do you have to prep your audience as well as be ready for anything and everything that could happen at the recording event?

The live recording process for the CD last November was a chaotic, but life-changing night. I asked my Nashville friend and fellow singer/songwriter Nick Flora to come and emcee the event. He would come out before each act and prep the audience on when to clap, and how the evening was going to go. We even re-ran songs, which was pretty crazy. I was happy with the performances we came away with though. We’re mixing now, and it’s an incredibly special project. With Gus Berry, apart from his immense talent and ingenuity, he is an incredibly fun person to work with. Everyone deserves to work with a happy person who you trust and who trusts you, and that’s the kind of person Gus is.

One music writer had this to say about you: ” she is a great mix of everything great about Carly Simon, Joni Mitchell, Carole King, and Diana Krall … but something even more fresh and current for today’s world.” Since you’re part of a Carole King Songbook tour, what would you say about Carole’s influence on your music?

Carole was a late discovery for me. I had been likened to King before I actually heard her music. But when I did and now that I have, I feel like I finally have a woman in musical history who I can look to, who I feel like I understand the ins and outs of where she’s coming from musically, because I feel the same way. Even though I haven’t met her, I feel like I have a musical mentor.

It’s always interesting to hear about contemporary singer-songwriters and what kind of music inspires them. Do you have any influences that would surprise anyone?

I’m a huge Tom Petty, Bruce Springsteen, and believe it or not, ELO (Electric Light Orchestra) fan. Pretty much anything Jeff Lynne has ever done, I’m a big fan of. I listened to ELO growing up, and I definitely believe it heavily influenced my songwriting.

What was your experience at Berklee College of Music? Did you graduate or were you one of the many who sought other avenues once they realized what their life path was while studying there?

I lasted only a semester, but I had the experience of a lifetime. Even though I felt the Nashville call so quickly, I managed to become heavily engrossed in their songwriting major, I had my own radio show, and I actually worked for Berklee as a piano tuner. I had an all-you-can-handle experience. I also left with many contacts and friends, and have afterwards become even more connected with Berklee through other alumni, like Gus Berry and Liz Longley. Berklee is the best school you can ever find for a learning singer/songwriter, no matter how long you stay. It always just matters what you make of the time you have.

-- Kathy Sands-Boehmer - No Depression