Happy Memorial Day Weekend #FashionFriday Readers!
It’s been a couple of weeks since we’ve had a good interview so lets jump right into it.
Hailing from my hometown, the Metropolitan Area (DC, MD, VA) and for those who are unfamiliar, I introduce to my Fashion Fridays readers Kacey, Eric, Josh and Mack. 4 out of 7 members of the soul garage band, Black Alley. This is a very talented and stylish band. I really enjoyed interviewing them and hope my Fashion Friday readers enjoy the article and some behind the scene footage from the interview.
(Photo Courtesy of Black Alley Facebook Fan Page)
Black Alley . Where did this name come from ? On a scale from 1-10 how easy/difficult was it for everyone to agree on a name?
Kacey: Well it was actually quite simple, the name was already chosen when we got in the band. There was no vote and there was no feeling. It was always the name, and it always seem to fit. You know, any definition that someone would have of Black Alley would fit the band… so it wasn’t a big controversial thing. It’s kind of…you can make it your own and when we got into the band it was already established. Black Alley has been in existence for over 7 or 8 years so I came on about 5 years ago… so before I came the name was already established … it just kind of evolved.
What image does Black Alley’s music convey?
Kacey: I think the image is more of a freedom that we have. I don’t know if that’s necessarily an image but its definitely a spirit and a feeling of what Black Alley is about. We just want everyone to be able to be themselves at a show. I say a lot when we are performing “this is the part of the show where you let go, no inhibitions, doesn’t matter what you look like, nobody’s judging you even if you decide you want to do a cartwheel or something in the middle of the show...its no problem”. We want everyone to have that feeling of freedom of enjoying themselves without having to think to much besides feeling good music.
What would you say each member contributes to the group outside of talent?
Eric: I definitely think each one of us can be the comedian in the group at a point in time. Kacey is definitely the voice of reason. When stuff starts going side ways she says “wait are we really doing this, what is happening”
Kacey: And sometimes I get completely ignored (everyone laughs)
Eric: I mean sometimes you get outvoted in a group (we all laugh again), it happens. Danny (also known as Animal) our drummer, he is great with getting us in line. He gets us ready , he gets us hype , he gets us on page for the show. Josh is “ Mr. Cool ”, he is ready for whatever and Mack, he is the professor.
Josh: Mack has a lot of knowledge. He has a lot of background knowledge that the rest of us don’t necessarily have so when he comes out and speaks …its like the things that we have been waiting to hear forever… like how the heck did you know that… then Beedy the percussionist, he doesn’t say much.
Eric: Beedy is definitely the realest. He keeps it G. Then Hope he doesn’t really say much either.
Describe the importance of fashion to your group image. How would you describe your individual styles?
Kacey: It is important, but it is also important that we aren’t defined by fashion. I say that only because some people can get so caught up in how things are supposed to look , they forget about the reason they are on stage. And I can go both ways. I can be really girly, but sometimes I just want to wear some tennis shoes… I don’t want to be uncomfortable. When I’m on stage a comfort thing is very important to me because I feel like if I’m uncomfortable, I cant give everything that I’m supposed to , to the audience. My feeling is trying to find the balance of looking fashionable and being comfortable at the same time
Eric: We are all here really for the music. We all come from different genre backgrounds, and I believe that reflects through our fashion sense. At the same time I don’t think any of us are on the super duper flashy tip. We like to keep natural, wear what makes us feel good. Clothes shouldn’t make you look good , you should make the clothes look good.
Josh: I just hate playing in tight suits (everyone burst out in laughter). That’s a no-no.
(Pictures Courtesy of Black Alley Facebook Fan Page)
Who is the ideal person/persons Black Alley would go on a world tour with?
Josh: A lot of people.
Eric: We are a versatile band so a lot of people.
Kacey: I say it in every interview, but N.E.R.D
Eric: Definitely N.E.R.D
Josh: I would want to go on tour with Pink. She’s dope. I love her.
Eric: We could open up for Rihanna … a little bit of everything.
Mack: We could definitely go on tour with Taylor Swift.
Where do you guys see Black Alley in 5 years?
Josh: Overseas.
Eric: I would say MTV/VH1 but we already had “Artist Prayer” debut on VH1 Soul but definitely some more songs. We just want to have as much fun as possible and do as many great things as we can while we have the time.
Mack: The possibilities are endless. I want to see us on the top 40 Billboard chart. I want us on the award shows too, accepting and presenting.
(End of Interview)
Usually my Fashion Fridays interview questions are more fashion based but for this group I wanted to focus on them as a whole. Black Alley is all about being yourself, being free, and I believe that is what fashion and style is all about.
(l-r Josh, Kacey, Eric , Myself, Mack, Kortez (The Olivia Fox Show Intern))
Thank you to Black Alley for giving OnStage this exclusive. Fashion Fridays readers can check out additional videos and music in the OnStage Video Showcase.
Black Alley Info:
www.twitter.com/weareblackalley
www.facebook.com/blackalley
Download Music from iTunes or blackalley.bandcamp.com
Until Next Week
L O V E
MISS.CNH
IG: shethatisfancy