AN INTROSPECTIVE MESS
Location: Merced, California
Members: Tippy Montgomery (Ukulele, Vocals, Lyrics)
Genre: Acoustic Folk Whatnot
Record label: None
Most likely the first thing one notices about Tippy Montgomery AKA An Introspective Mess is her blue hair. It's pretty cool, I will admit that. But she is also a really talented singer-songwriter with a unique, ukulele-driven sound. I have my suspicions that the whole blue hair-thing is just a tactic to get people to notice her, and draw them into paying attention to her music. Lyrically, her songs are quite heart-felt and touching, and they obviously come from a very personal place. Remarkably, she actually answered every single one of the questions I provided her with, so what follows is a very detailed interview. Enjoy.
Lots of people usually pick up an electric guitar or sit at a drum set when they want to play an instrument for a band. What made you choose ukulele?
The ukulele was one of my ‘last resort’ instruments that I fell into playing thanks to two musician-friends of mine, “Uni and her Ukelele” and “High Hopes”. They both seemed to think of the uke as an easy instrument to learn, and they were right! Also, surfing the world of YouTube, I had run across so many talented songwriters who use the ukulele as their instrument of choice in a beautiful, almost spellbinding way - far beyond children’s songs. It’s a very versatile instrument if you really take advantage of it.
The ukulele was one of my ‘last resort’ instruments that I fell into playing thanks to two musician-friends of mine, “Uni and her Ukelele” and “High Hopes”. They both seemed to think of the uke as an easy instrument to learn, and they were right! Also, surfing the world of YouTube, I had run across so many talented songwriters who use the ukulele as their instrument of choice in a beautiful, almost spellbinding way - far beyond children’s songs. It’s a very versatile instrument if you really take advantage of it.
Did you try anything else before settling on it and would you ever consider playing anything else?
I have tried guitar and couldn't get hang of it- too complicated. I would love to learn the violin - it was my first musical interest when I was a kid.
The ukulele obviously only has 4 strings and not as many frets as other string instruments, so there are fewer chord possibilities- as a result it would be easy for a lot of songs to feel/ sound similar. How do you keep things musically fresh and interesting in your playing? (Like ‘Superglue and Seashells’- that sounds different particularly from all the others and is also my favorite)
I worry a lot about giving each song it’s own identity, and the best way to do that is by writing in the moment. I find the longer I spend on a piece of music the more patchy and robotic it becomes, where as if I am in the moment, it all flows together and the emotion - the essence of music - is there. ‘Superglue & Seashells’ is a good example of that.
I worry a lot about giving each song it’s own identity, and the best way to do that is by writing in the moment. I find the longer I spend on a piece of music the more patchy and robotic it becomes, where as if I am in the moment, it all flows together and the emotion - the essence of music - is there. ‘Superglue & Seashells’ is a good example of that.
Would you ever be open to collaborating in a band-setting or do you feel you work best on your own?
I hope to someday bounce ideas off other musicians, but for now I’m too big of a wimp to take that leap! Plus, I’ll admit that I have trouble being a team player. Ha!
I hope to someday bounce ideas off other musicians, but for now I’m too big of a wimp to take that leap! Plus, I’ll admit that I have trouble being a team player. Ha!
Do you enjoy playing live?
You know, I have a love/hate relationship with playing for a crowd. It is so scary and intimidating, yet once I finish my set, it feels great. That feeling of accomplishment is what keeps me going back for more.
You know, I have a love/hate relationship with playing for a crowd. It is so scary and intimidating, yet once I finish my set, it feels great. That feeling of accomplishment is what keeps me going back for more.
With the ukulele, I’m sure it works very well for intimate settings but when playing to larger crowds, do you feel the sound carries well?
It is difficult to carry over into bigger shows or even acoustic nights at certain places, because sometimes the setting and the attendees just don’t fit the particular music I play.
Did you always envision yourself as a musician or did it happen somewhat accidentally?
Completely accidental. I had written poetry and always kept writing as an outlet, but it never seemed to satisfy me. Eventually, I just had to get up the courage to try new things and once I got a taste of songwriting, I became addicted. Trust me, I’ve tried to quit!
Completely accidental. I had written poetry and always kept writing as an outlet, but it never seemed to satisfy me. Eventually, I just had to get up the courage to try new things and once I got a taste of songwriting, I became addicted. Trust me, I’ve tried to quit!
Do you have a favorite song you have written, and why?
Ooh… I have a couple favorites, but I hardly ever play them for anyone but myself. I’d have to say one of them is “Daydreaming”, because I finally found the balance between keeping the message personal and relating with others. Another is “Broken Promises”.
Ooh… I have a couple favorites, but I hardly ever play them for anyone but myself. I’d have to say one of them is “Daydreaming”, because I finally found the balance between keeping the message personal and relating with others. Another is “Broken Promises”.
Some of your lyrics seem to be very personal, does that make it harder to perform or do you use performance as a kind of way to vent- sort of an emotional cleansing?
Performing is a very hard thing for me to do, especially if I’m playing a new song for the first time. There’s always a fear of taking it too far, and showing too much of myself to people that may or may not understand. But the music I listen to, and the songwriters I love are very honest and emotional. I can relate to them, and deeply respect them for coming out and sharing pieces of their lives with an audience. It’s a beautiful experience.
Performing is a very hard thing for me to do, especially if I’m playing a new song for the first time. There’s always a fear of taking it too far, and showing too much of myself to people that may or may not understand. But the music I listen to, and the songwriters I love are very honest and emotional. I can relate to them, and deeply respect them for coming out and sharing pieces of their lives with an audience. It’s a beautiful experience.
Who is the strangest artist or band you have ever been compared to?
Ha! It would have to be Janis Joplin. I’ve gotten that comment twice, and I don’t understand it at all. Perhaps it’s a joke?
Ha! It would have to be Janis Joplin. I’ve gotten that comment twice, and I don’t understand it at all. Perhaps it’s a joke?
Who are some of your favorite musicians?
Very hard question! Hmm… Justin Furstenfeld (Blue October), Amanda Palmer (The Dresden Dolls), Regina Spektor, Danielle Ate the Sandwich, R.E.M, Rocco DeLuca, Delta Spirit, Aslyn, The Beatles, and of course my friends, Tommy Delgado (Fresno, Ca.), The Panduhs (Patterson, Ca.), and Charlie Don’t Surf! (Modesto, Ca.).
Very hard question! Hmm… Justin Furstenfeld (Blue October), Amanda Palmer (The Dresden Dolls), Regina Spektor, Danielle Ate the Sandwich, R.E.M, Rocco DeLuca, Delta Spirit, Aslyn, The Beatles, and of course my friends, Tommy Delgado (Fresno, Ca.), The Panduhs (Patterson, Ca.), and Charlie Don’t Surf! (Modesto, Ca.).
What are your thoughts on another famous vegan, Paul McCartney?
I really respect Paul McCartney. Not only as a phenomenal musician, but as a voice for the animal rights movement.
Were you raised vegan or was it something you chose on your own, and was there a specific experience that led you to make the choice?
When I was twelve (November of 2002) I made the decision to finally begin my life as a vegetarian. It never made sense to me why people chose to discriminate between species of life; why cuddle a puppy and butcher a cow? However, it wasn’t until later (March of 2007) that my mom convinced me to take it all the way. She had recently become a vegetarian and decided to approach it as ‘all or nothing’, so that night we made the transition into veganism.
Not gonna lie, I miss cheesecake!
When I was twelve (November of 2002) I made the decision to finally begin my life as a vegetarian. It never made sense to me why people chose to discriminate between species of life; why cuddle a puppy and butcher a cow? However, it wasn’t until later (March of 2007) that my mom convinced me to take it all the way. She had recently become a vegetarian and decided to approach it as ‘all or nothing’, so that night we made the transition into veganism.
Not gonna lie, I miss cheesecake!
I saw your dog in the video for ‘Lessons Learned’- what is it’s name?
Aw, yes, her name is April. Isn’t she cute?
I noticed you recently recorded an EP. Do you enjoy recording?
I enjoyed it this time! In the past I had done recordings on my own, and they never came out right - I’m terrible with technology! But I lucked into meeting a very talented songwriter by the name of Dustin Caldera, and he was an absolute joy to work with!
I enjoyed it this time! In the past I had done recordings on my own, and they never came out right - I’m terrible with technology! But I lucked into meeting a very talented songwriter by the name of Dustin Caldera, and he was an absolute joy to work with!
Being that your music is pretty sparse and ‘organic’ one might say live, do you have any urge to spice it up when recording, with all the possibilities of having extra tracks and free reign to add whatever you want, or do you prefer to replicate the live sound as closely as possible?
I like to keep it simple and raw. Honestly, the music that grabs my attention isn’t in your face, it’s feeble and… well, yeah, it’s organic.
What would you say your ultimate goal as a musician is?
Overall, I want to be relatable. It’s important for me to be honest in my songwriting, because the issues I address (depression, suicide, self-injury, etc) are usually tip-toed around, or even down-right avoided. Music has been my everything, I can’t tell you how many times I’ve turned to the words of a song for guidance and hope - I want to write a song that someone can connect with. And, yes, I am aware how cliché that sounded!
I like to keep it simple and raw. Honestly, the music that grabs my attention isn’t in your face, it’s feeble and… well, yeah, it’s organic.
What would you say your ultimate goal as a musician is?
Overall, I want to be relatable. It’s important for me to be honest in my songwriting, because the issues I address (depression, suicide, self-injury, etc) are usually tip-toed around, or even down-right avoided. Music has been my everything, I can’t tell you how many times I’ve turned to the words of a song for guidance and hope - I want to write a song that someone can connect with. And, yes, I am aware how cliché that sounded!
Do you find that there is much of a ‘scene’ where you live in Merced or is it a bit of an uphill-battle to find and connect with potential fans?
There’s a scene for those over 21 and interested in going out to a bar, but other than that, no. I travel to shows most of the time, or play house parties, as I’ve made it a personal rule to play only shows that are accepting of everyone - no discrimination!
There’s a scene for those over 21 and interested in going out to a bar, but other than that, no. I travel to shows most of the time, or play house parties, as I’ve made it a personal rule to play only shows that are accepting of everyone - no discrimination!
Do you have any celebrity crushes?
Regina Spektor!
Regina Spektor!
Any musical artists you absolutely cannot stand?
There are a ton of popular musicians I can’t stand to listen to, but I have nothing against any of them. The joy of music is seeing people gravitate to it and find something - anything - they can relate to. Whether it be the Jonas Brothers or Billie Holiday, it doesn’t matter as long as someone out there can really feel something while listening to them.
There are a ton of popular musicians I can’t stand to listen to, but I have nothing against any of them. The joy of music is seeing people gravitate to it and find something - anything - they can relate to. Whether it be the Jonas Brothers or Billie Holiday, it doesn’t matter as long as someone out there can really feel something while listening to them.
If you could tour with anyone, who would it be and why?
Anyone that was in it for the right reasons, not money or popularity.
Anyone that was in it for the right reasons, not money or popularity.
Is there any famous song you wish you had written?
Of course! I find myself saying, “Why can’t I write a song like this?” all the time. The short answer: If I did, I wouldn’t like it!
Of course! I find myself saying, “Why can’t I write a song like this?” all the time. The short answer: If I did, I wouldn’t like it!
0 comments: