Review Fix Exclusive: Alice Peacock Talks ‘Minnesota’ And More

Review Fix chats with singer/songwriter Alice Peacock, who discusses her creative process, goals and inspirations behind her new album, “Minnesota.”

Review Fix: How did you get involved in music?

Alice Peacock: I grew up in a musical family, was surrounded by instruments and there was always music playing in the house. I started to write songs at an early age but didn’t really take myself seriously as a singer/songwriter until I was just out of college. I was doing professional summerstock theatre in the summers during college and I met several artists who were making their own records. I’d never heard of anyone doing anything like that and it really inspired me. I started playing my original songs out and made a few demo tapes, slowly building my fanbase and meeting musical collaborators. I established a following in Chicago and then started opening for some of my musical heroes, touring around the country; John Gorka, Greg Brown, Cheryl Wheeler, Lucy Kaplansky, Shawn Colvin and many others. I made independent records, got signed to a major label, left that major label after that album’s release (2001’s Alice Peacock released on Aware/Columbia records) and continued to record and release my music independently. My journey was and always has been very organic; one step in front of the other. 

Review Fix: What’s your creative process like?

Peacock: I sit down with my instrument (either guitar or piano) and start to play…sometimes I’ll switch up a tuning on the guitar or do something that makes me break out of my typical musical patterns and then I see what hits me. Usually I’ll get a melody or some words and I just “feel” the song arrive. I know fairly soon if I’m onto something. If I’m stuck I’ll go on to another riff or musical idea and feel it out. I’ve yet to take prose or lyrics and put them to music. The music and melody always arrive first and the words follow.

Review Fix: What inspires you?

Peacock: My children, Nature, the human condition

Review Fix: How would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard you?

Peacock: I say that I’m inspired by the singer/songwriters from the 70’s who I grew up listening to: Neil Young, Carol King, Carly Simon, Jackson Browne, Todd Rundgren…the list goes on and on. I describe my sound as a cross between someone like Sheryl Crow and, perhaps, Shawn Colvin: folky pop or folk with hooks.

Review Fix: How are your live shows different from your studio work?

Peacock: Well, for one thing I tell stories on stage and I’ve been told I’m pretty funny! My live show takes unexpected turns sometimes and I love that about live performance. Obviously, if I’m performing solo then my show is more pared down than a studio album recording would be. 

Review Fix: What inspired your latest single?

Peacock: My song “Dry Spell” was inspired by the time after new motherhood when I wasn’t sure I was ever going to create something again because I was giving soooo much to my children – and gladly too! I felt a bit lost about who I was anymore but, strangely, I wasn’t panicking. I felt, and still feel, like my best work was till ahead of me but I just had to get through this “fallow” period or “dry spell” to get there.

Review Fix: What are your goals for the rest of 2019?

Peacock: I’d like to get back to the cities where I have a history of a fan base. I don’t tour like I used to before I became a mother of three but it’s still great to get out there and connect with the folks who’ve enjoyed my music all these years!

Review Fix: What’s next?

Peacock: I’m starting to get that “itch” to start working on music for my next album! Lots of ideas rolling around in my head; I’ve just got to make the time to sit down and write them. I remind myself often ‘you must be present to win!’