Stella Luce A few well chosen words with Alana Rolfe, Viola player with Stella Luce. Leicester Bangs: Tell us a little about yourself, and your band. Alana: I live in Fort Collins, Colorado, but finished a BA at the University of Leicester. My band "Stella Luce" is a relatively new inception, born out of recently defunct bands. We recently won the FoCOMA peer award for Best Indie Band in Fort Collins / Northern Colorado. The key members myself (Alana Rolfe, viola/vocals), Brett Schreiber, (bass, cello, electronics, glockenspiel, vocals) and Errant Waters (drums and percussion). When playing shows in Colorado we often have guest musicians as well that perform accordion, singing saw, and guitar. LB: How did you start out making music? Alana: Music was a big part of my family life growing up. Both of my parents are musicians and singing as a family was a part of everyday life. I started violin when I was 5 years old, and started playing guitar and writing music when I was 12. By the time I was 15 playing in a garage band, or doing a folk acoustic set on the weekends was a part of the weekly routine. LB: Who did you grow up listening to and how do they influence what you’re doing now? Alana: I grew up on a mixture of pure classical music (Bach, Vivaldi, Mozart) and country western gospel. The first song I learned on guitar was "Blowin in the Wind". I think that by learning the songs of Bob Dylan and the Indigo Girls, I not only learned how to play guitar, but I learned how to write folk songs. Though I don't listen to folk much anymore the mixture of classical and folk genres are very apparent in Stella Luce's songs. LB: Tell us about your latest release. Alana: This May (2009) we released our first full length album entitled Zugenruhe. The Denver Colorado entertainment magazine 'The Westword' called the album, "Eclectic yet satisfyingly consistent, Zugenruhe, Stella Luce's debut long-player, is well-rooted and hook-based." LB: Do you get out and play your music live, and if so, what can an audience expect at one of your shows? Alana: Stella Luce plays consistently in the Northern front range of Colorado (Fort Collins, Denver, Boulder, Colorado Springs). We have just returned from our first UK tour and plan to return as soon as we can. The major feedback I get from audience members after one of our shows is a pleasant surprise. We've been told that it is as intense to watch us perform as it is to listen to the music due to the way I make faces and get into the music (laughs). I've also been told that we invoke chills and tears at times.... and I suppose that is a very good thing. LB: What aspects of playing and recording music do you most enjoy? Alana: I think I most enjoy about playing live is the feeling of a journey that you go on with the band, and the audience. When it happens, it can be a moving experience for everyone. When I record I find that your sand as a musician is tested, and I like the challenge. It is your chance to see how you can make a song come to life in a more permanent way, than when you create it briefly live... it's a beautiful thing. LB: Where can people find (and buy) your music? Alana: Our website, Dig Station and CD Baby (Inks below). www.stellalucemusic.com www.digstation.com/StellaLuce Stella Luce - Monsters