Linda Bracamonte Interview

the bo ely interview with linda bracamonte, vocalist — the linda bracamonte band

What was your earliest musical experience?

As far back as I can remember, when my father and I would take car rides together, he would sing songs to me and encourage me to sing along with him. Just silly little songs but it was something very special that we shared. Those are the sweetest memories I hold of my father.

At the age of 4, I began playing a full-size Thomas organ that my mother owned – I was too little to reach the pedals (I think it would still be a stretch today) but picked up melodies of familiar children’s

Little Linda Bracamonte

tunes by ear. My mother soon taught me how to play chords and how to read old “Magnus” chord organ books – play by number rather than by note. The song books my mother had were filled with old polkas, jazz standards and other music from eras well before my own. With no formal training and never learning to read sheet music, at the ripe ol' age of 6, I began playing "professionally" - yeah, I actually got paid for my playing after school and on weekends - working at an organ store at our local mall. It was a hoot - - made it into the local newspaper sales ads and there was talk of taping a television commercial – well, at least until some folks took issue with the fact that the store was breaking child labor laws.... oh well, 15 minutes of fame, but now you know where the polka's come from.

(Credits: Me at the age of 6 performing at the organ store. Photo by Cecilia Bracamonte.)

How did you select the members of your band?

Did Ema put you up to asking me this question??

Ok, to honestly answer this question I have to speak to the formation of the original Linda Bracamonte Band (2003). That original nameless band actually selected me rather than the other way around. The guys in that group (and you know who you are) were fabulous musicians and really great guys to work with. In spite of my having had no prior “band” experience, they trusted me to front their band and so named it “the Linda Bracamonte Band”. We immediately (within 4 weeks of meeting each other) went into the studio and recorded the cd entitled, “Champagne, Rain, Rhythm and Blues”. We performed several shows and were well received – we made some great connections and gained some loyal fans - - great memories….then the first of many changes occurred.

Our guitar player opted to leave us for another group and was replaced with Ema Roberts. The band continued to perform for the next several months but soon members of the band chose to exit for personal reasons, work demands, etc. At no time did I ever feel that the changes were due to ill feelings or misunderstandings, but when it was all over, I felt a little like the rug had been pulled out from under me.

Linda Bracamonte, ema roberts - songwriters

It was nearly the end of the year, I had gigs on the calendar, no band mates and absolutely no experience leading a band; hence I made some very hasty decisions. Some I immediately regretted and rectified (ok Ema – are you happy now?) and others, I had to live with for awhile - but none-the-less, the Linda Bracamonte Band continued – or better stated, survived. Over the next two years, Ema and I stuck together – enduring band member changes, band dramas, trying on different music styles, songs, venues, etc. etc. When the third iteration of the LBB came to an end in September 2005, something happened to me. I was tired – just weary from all the energy that I had put fourth trying to keep the band gigging while attempting to keep every member of the group happy. It was time for me to reflect on the music, the band successes and failures, and just simply time to make a change. One thing was clear, whatever it was that I was or wasn’t doing – it surely wasn’t working. In all that time, no progress had been made for LBB – none – we were just surviving.

What was it that was necessary to progress? What was it I needed to focus on? My answer was “me” – and making my musical experience really my own. Original music? Yup, that was the next step for me – whether that meant having a band or not - - I wanted to own the music that I sang for the future.

Right before me was an incredible songwriter who believed in me, stood by me through the band sagas and who had become my dearest friend. So last October, Ema and I decided to focus on writing original music. The “band” didn’t matter so much anymore but the music sure did!

Just as with all great things in life….they come along when you least expect it and when you’re not really even looking. Just weeks after I had made the decision to focus on the music rather than the band….John Swanson, Lance Davis and Matt Kaiser came into the picture. They’re solid musicians, no drama, they’re mature, fun loving, flexible and talented. I love them oodles and I’m thrilled to have them be a part of this musical journey that I’ve now embarked upon. With the originals that Ema and I have created, John, Lance, and Matt, are open, offering their full support and dedication to performing them to their fullest. How much more could I have ever wished for?

(Credits: Linda and ema at the Blue Room. Photo by Nancy Stegemann.)

Who are your favorite female lead singers?

KD Lang is at the top of my list – her voice is velvety smooth but powerful, with tremendous control. She’s also an incredible lyricist. I dream of singing backup for her some day!! There are so many others that I love to listen to and admire. My tastes are so diverse and depending on my mood you might find Allanis Morrisette or Connie Francis in my cd player. One thing’s for sure, the music will be turned up loud and you’ll find me singing along.

How do you decide on your stage wardrobe for each show?

I used to really agonize over it – was my outfit edgy enough or too edgy…too cute-sey…to conservative? I have found that the more comfortable I get with the music, the more I feel like I own it and the more I’m on stage, the less I concern myself with what I wear. I usually put something on then ask Tim (or Bianca – my 13 year old) for their opinion. I try to look appropriate for being on stage – and I wear clothes to perform in that I wouldn’t wear off stage (way too young for me). My hair has become the biggest challenge of all. Just before our last gig, I was getting ready at home and the power kept going off and on (this was during the heat wave in late July) so I ended up with this hair style that looked like I’d just returned from one of my motorcycle rides not wearing a helmet. Funniest part was - - I got more compliments on my hair that night than ever before - - what does that tell ya?

(Credits: Linda at the Amador County Fair. Photo by Nancy Stegemann.)

How do you get that powerful voice to come out of such a small body?

Linda Bracamonte Brewers Festival

Probably comes from my mother – she’s Italian / German and mama mia can she holler. : ) Ya know, I started singing not long ago – and until then had never attempted to sing in front of anyone (other than my children). All my life I wanted to get in front of a microphone and belt something out but feared that some horrible sound would come out if I tried. Then one day, with a little liquid courage (thank you Jose) I got up at a Karaoke night at a local club and gave it a try. What came out of my mouth wasn’t so bad after all and since then, no-one’s been able to shut me up.

It took me a couple of years to gain enough confidence in myself to relax when I get in front of a mic – I suppose I’ll always struggle with that to some degree, but I have to relax when I sing – it increases my range and my power and it protects my voice in the long run. I honestly feel like I have to pull energy all the way down from my toes to belt out a song sometimes. Because the music has power and energy, and sometimes just because I feel passionate about the words I’m singing, I find the power within me to sing it like I do. It’s a real rush, and I feel so alive when I sing.

(Credits: Linda at the California Brewer’s Festival. Photo by Nancy Stegemann.)

Where do you want to see the band in two years?

I’d like to have paid my dues in this town by then – having LBB playing some clubs and festivals and building a strong following, then I’d like LBB to be playing in shows as the opening band around the area. I’m a home grown Sacra-tomatoean so just getting a following for LBB in this town would be a kick for me.

On the original-project side of things - - oh, well if I can dream big for a moment….I’d like for Ema and I to have recorded a CD with 8 –10 songs on it that will have been heard by the right people who then offer trillions of dollars in rights to use the music – and maybe I could get a gig singing tv commercials out of it too. Yeah, that’d do it for me. : )

When will the next CD be released?

The short answer is “not soon enough” but the good news is that a CD is in the works.

First things first - - I’ve already been involved in one CD project and that was for the original LBB. It was a great experience; however, the music on that CD was cover tunes only – nothing original – moreover, I went into the studio prematurely and did not put my best foot (vocals) forward. As a result, I’ve never been terribly proud of that CD – it’s certainly served a purpose for the LBB by giving me a marketable product, but absent that, the CD doesn’t represent anything about me.

Linda Bracamonte in the studio.

When I go into a studio for the next CD, I want ONLY original material on it. To that end, I have set some very high goals for myself, and for the original project that Ema and I are working on together. Ema has been very patient with me, probably far too patient if you ask him, and has earned my respect and trust for this musical journey we've taken on together. I'm not an easy girl to write for, you know? I'm very picky as to what I'm willing to sing about lyrically, even more picky about the key I sing it in, and very demanding that whatever we do that it ultimately reaches a certain standard of quality, especially should the day actually come that we record a serious CD of our compositions.

So, with those goals, it could be a while before I get back into a studio again. Sooooooooooo, what Ema and I might do in the short term is to put together a "bootleg outtake" of some of our originals and offer that up for sale at our gigs for an inexpensive price, because it won't be the "real deal", you know, just a sampling of what's to come, down and dirty!! If this goes over well, then we'll make more, like "Scary Movie 1" and "Scary Movie 2, the Sequel", etc., etc.

The beautiful thing for me is that the originals spill over into LBB – I get to basically use the band as a dressing room for the songs. I can't say enough how much I appreciate Lance, John, and Matt, and their support and enthusiasm to perform the originals. Most musicians just want to play, get their money and go home. But Lance, John, and Matt, are special, they are the consummate pros and the effort and dedication they put into performing these special songs means so much to me. I just love these guys! And Ema too!!

(Credits: Laying down some vocals. Photo by ema roberts.)

How do you manage to keep the three guys in line?

Tough Love.

What do you do to prepare your voice before a show?

Well, I have to be sure not to yell at Tim for at least 24 hours. : ) I keep a low profile the day of the show - don't talk much and I try to sleep in ‘till at least 6:30 a.m. I also drink a lot of water – then slip in one shot of Tequila before I head to the gig.

Who is your favorite American Idol?

The original I suppose - Kelly Clarkson. Not much of an AI fan – I hate competition and it’s painful to watch others under so much pressure…..

linda bracamonte official website | www.lindabracamonte.com
ema roberts • lance davis • matt kaiser • john swanson

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