theaussieword.com catches up with Aly Cook.Give us an introduction. How did it all begin? What had you first interested in music?
As a teen writing poetry was always important. I began writing songs at 14 years of age .. Music was always there in my life ..
What motivates or influences you in your quest to make great music?
I love to make a difference write about events and things that have happened. I like for my writing to be uplifting to others, to make others feel good.
What are your biggest goals you hope to accomplish as an artist?
I want to get to the highest point I can, get a song in a movie, break through as an indie into the main charts and continue to build a following of people who like what I am doing. So I can share new compositions with them
What can we expect from you in the coming months? Any plans to tour?
I will be over to Australia constantly and now in talks for a tour … I will be announcing a Sydney Harbour Cruise gig for next year and of course I am at Tamworth in January.. I have a huge gig in New Zealand opening for Melissa Etheridge, Huey Lewis and the News and REO Speedwagon on 30th of January ..
Tell us a bit about your latest album and how would you best describe your music?The music is eclectic …Horseshoe Rodeo Hotel is the new album, although Some tracks are country by nature there is a rock track on there with Love is a foo time job, a dance pop punk country track is the latest single … Midnight Cowboys. Its written by Brent Hayward who pointed my funky pop art album cover and my producer Alan Jansson who wrote and produced OMC How Bizarre… Features Nik Brown from the Warratahs on Fiddle, Graham Brazier who past away a short time ago and who was a kiwi icon and Paul Kingery of Three Dog Night .. Ive also got a co-write which was a pre-release No Phone No Mail No Internet . co written with Australian legendary writer Allan Caswell and Alan Jansson. This sat on the charts for 17 weeks going to #5 on the Top 40 Country Tracks Chart its quite folky like my first single HOME from the album that spend 16 weeks on going to #17
I am a singer songwriter by trade and the songs simply come as they do .. Lately I have been writing with Buzz Bidstrup of The Angels and his wife Kayellen Bee both of GANGajang fame and those songs we have written are quite folk like and even with a celtic twist .
Success, what is the secret to it?
Perseverance, this industry is not for the faint hearted or those not willing to work their butt off.
What has been your biggest career highlight?
Certainly the accolade moments are cool .. NZ Female Country Artist of the Year and being nominated for APRA NZ Country song of the year and NEXT New Zealand Woman of the Year. They are cool as are some amazing gigs .. This year performing at the Roll of Renown concert at Tamworth as Lee Kernaghan and his father Ray Kernaghan were inducted into the Australian Country Music Hall of Fame . Meeting and performing on the same gig at Roseanne Cash in Poland in July that was cool … Performing an acoustic version of ‘No Secrets’ at the Basement with Buzz Bidstrup from The Angels who wrote the song with Doc Neeson also in August performing at a full Sydney Opera House concert got to sing the song I wrote with Buzz ‘Kulini’ and my fav song from Steve Kilbey of the Church “Under the Milky Way”
Which stars of the music industry do you find inspiring?Love Neil Young and Talking Heads…
Any new projects in the pipeline?
Song writing wth Buzz and Kay and enjoying that …
The music industry is huge, where do you see yourself a few years from now?
Hopefully having grown my fan base of people who love my music and having produced more new songs ..
Name a few of your favourite Aussie artists.
Mental as Anything ..(My Favorite) Icehouse The Angels , Swanee, I do like Beccy Cole . very funny, Lynn Bowtel, The Church…. John Farnham INXS.. Luke O’Shea, Allan Caswell . very diverse tastes ..
The shape of the music industry has changed significantly over the years, including the use of social media, how do you feel about the industry as a whole and what does it mean to you in getting your records out into the public eye?
I think there has never been such a good time for indies .. The internet has levelled the playing field significantly! Getting to the public eyes and ears is everything .. I work very hard to make sure I am doing that.
Thanks for the interview! What final message do you have for us today?
Take a listen to my music I would love you to listen and enjoy what I create with my team x