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This week, the Blue Lines Blog interviews currently in Atlanta, writer, performer singer extraordinaire, my friend dating back to our acting days in high school, Julie Gribble (www.juliegribble.net). Performing February 10th and 19th in Atlanta at the Hudson Grille Brookhaven!!!

I: When did you first realize you wanted to be a singer/song writer?
A: about 7 years ago i really started to put my writing to music and
learn how to really do it. When I was in high school I always was at coffee shops watching singer/songwriters and wishing i could do the same but never thought that I could.

I: How long does it take you to write a song?
A: it’s always soo different. Sometimes it’s within an hour sometimes weeks

I: What is your work schedule like when you’re writing?
A: I have no schedule that’s normal, it’s always different.

I: What would you say is your interesting song writing quirk?
A: I always write the lyrics first, music is the hard part for me.

I: Where do you get your information or ideas for your songs?
A: experiences and watching people.

I: When did you write your first song and how old were you?
A: I was 19 when I wrote my first song, and yes, it was terrible.

I: What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
A: read, hike, cook

I: What does your family think of your music?
A: they are and have always been super supportive, they are such a blessing

I: What was one of the most surprising things you learned in being in a band and writing music?
A: how much time it takes to get a song together and right with a band

I: How many songs have you written?
A: probably over 250

I: That’s amazing, which is your favorite?
A: they are all my babies, so I couldn’t really pick one

I: What do you think makes a good song?
A: lots of soul

I: As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up?
A: an actress

I: How autobiographical are your songs?
A: pretty true, but I may exaggerate a situation sometimes

I: If so, are you able to share an example with our readers?
A: all my tunes are about heartache and joy and how i view the world

I: Describe your workspace.
A: I haven’t had my own real workspace in years, could be a napkin at a coffee shop, the voice recorder on my phone, my bedroom floor….well anywhere it may hit.

I: Favorite artists (especially for their writing).
A: Damien rice, Thom Yorke, PJ Harvey, Bob Dylan
I: Great choices.

I: Favorite quote.
A: it’s about the journey, not the arrival

I: Best and worst part of being a in a band.
A: best: the collaboration worst: egos

I: Advice for other bands.
A: strip the ego away, make great music, work hard, and love what you do. if it’s about the money, you’re in the wrong business

I: Looking back, did you choose to write music and start a band or did the it choose you?
A: it chose me

I: When did you ‘know’ you were a writer?
A: when i was in first grade, i wrote poetry, wrote my first book when I was in sixth grade

I: What inspires you?
A: life, love, laughter, a childs joy…well everything

I: Every writer has a method to his or her writing. On a typical writing day, how would you spend your time?
A: listen to some fav tunes, drink some green tea, and relax

I: How long does it take for you to complete a song you would allow someone to hear?
A: totally depends, sometimes I’m ready quickly sometimes not for a while

I: Do you write right through or do you revise as you go along?
A: i write through, unless I’m working with a writing partner then we always revise as we go along

I: When you sit down to write is any thought given to the genre or type of listeners?
A: no, i just try to keep it genuine

I: When it comes to plotting, do you write freely or plan everything in advance?
A: freely always

I: Do you ever suffer from writer’s block? If yes, what measures do you take to get past it?
A: Alot, but it just takes pushin’ through to get past it

I: What do you hope listeners gain, feel or experience when they hear one of your songs for the first time?
A: to feel something from it, to relate

I: When you’re not writing what do you do for fun?
A: I love the outdoors, hanging out with friends, reading

I: New artists are always trying to glean advice from those with more experience. What suggestions do you have for new artists?
A: be very careful of promises, and don’t sign anything without a good lawyer

I: What is your favorite word?
A: silence

I: Do you plot extensively in advance, or let it unfold organically? Have you ever been so unhappy with a song or a plot thread that you’ve chucked it and started over?
A: I never plot, nothing good ever seems to come out of it

I: If you could have dinner with any five people, dead or alive, who would they be and why?
A: my family…or Buddha

I: What basic philosophy do you try to express in your music?
A: love for yourself, others, and strength

I: What inspired you?
A: life

I: Does an artist cultivate writing, or is he divinely gifted?
A: i think a little of both

I: What role does a writer play in the society?
A: they are the ones who chronicle our journeys

I: Grew up in?
A: Atlanta, GA

I: Favorite sports team?
A: don’t really dig sports, i do love hockey

I: Book to take on a deserted island?
A: as many as i could fit in a backpack with me, and the bible

I: Favorite city?
A: Ojai, CA

I: Favorite State:
A: CA

I: Favorite CD?
A: Cash’.s greatest hits

I: Where do you write?
A: wherever I can

I: Qualities you most admire?
A: honesty and respect

I: What do you do to relax?
A: breathe and drink a cup of tea

I: Place where you were/are happiest?
A: in my bed

I: Most embarrassing moment?
A: too many to count, i don’t really get embarrassed too easily

I: When will you be performing next?
A: Hudson Grille Brookhaven Wednesday, February 10th, 2010 and Friday, February 19th, 2010

Julie Gribble
http://www.juliegribble.net
http://www.myspace.com/juliegribble
http://www.sonicbids.com/juliegribble

The manuscript Blue Lines is the fictional coming of age narrative of my protagonist a young California woman KYW, and her 2 year growing journey through school, love, and life. A period piece, written by Kenneth Suffern, Jr., taking place at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill between the years of 1997 – 1998. Loosely based on true events, and experiences during that time, told through the eyes and voice of the main female protagonist, a freshman first attending the school.