All They Want To Do Is Dance: The Lovelocks [Interview]

Ali Raney and Zoe Neuman are The Lovelocks – and we’re big fans!

Almost a year ago we were introduced to the band’s music through a friend and that turned into a purchase of their EP and then an interview in March 2014. Now we’re back to catch up with the ladies and see what it’s been like to see their careers grow, lock down some awesome opportunities and tell us what’s coming up in 2015.

The girls have been working hard, playing in front of everyone they can to both get the word out and grow as artists. Their social media presence alone will show you the hustle that they are putting into this project of love. We can’t wait to see what’s coming next.

Big thank you to both Ali and Zoe for playing along with us. They are both excellent people and great entertainers. There is no doubt in our minds that The Lovelocks are going places.

If you’re a radio listening type of person, you should be calling your local station to request Dance right now.

Q. Dance has been a great success since it hit – can you tell us where you were and what you were thinking the first time you heard it on the radio?

Well, it’s actually funny because neither of us has heard it on the radio! The single is getting tons of airplay across Canada, but unfortunately not in Toronto where we live (and listen). We’re still looking forward to that banner moment of hearing our music on the radio while driving down the road somewhere!

Q. Fans have also been awesome about making their own “Dance” video clips and posting them online. Are there any that stand out to you from memory because they were so great or from far away?

Definitely the submission from Nunavut! Getting a video of fans dancing on an iceberg was probably the most exciting email through that whole process. It’s cool to put something out there and see how people respond. Our fans really came through from coast-to-coast!

Q. This Christmas you recorded a version of O Holy Night with 2014 CCMA Female Vocalist of the Year (and fellow MDM Recording Artist) Jess Moskaluke… and people loved it. What was that experience like for you over the holidays?

It was so fun to work with Jess. We love that girl! She is such an amazing person, let alone artist, and we loved singing with her. It was amazing to have a Christmas single out around the holidays, and out of all the carols we could have chosen to record, O Holy Night seems to be a big favorite with people. Who knows, maybe we’ll do another one next year!

Q. In February you’re headed to Kansas City for the Folk Alliance Conference as showcase artists. What are you expecting when you get down south and play for a new audience?

This is our first time playing at Folk Alliance! We are expecting to have a lot of fun, to hear a lot of inspiring artists, and to meet a lot of great people. It’s important for us at this stage in our career to play in front of as many people as possible. From what we’ve heard, Folk Alliance is a great place to showcase our music and increase our presence south of the border!

Q. Almost a year ago we did one of these interviews and I asked about women getting airtime on country radio. 2014 ended up being a big year for female country artists, especially in Canada, with Jess, Kira Isabella, Lindsay Broughton, Lindsay Ell, Mackenzie Porter, The Lovelocks and more getting some play. Do you think we’re headed in the right direction now?

It’s been a tough few years for women at country radio (and on the festival circuit). That said, there are trends within music, and the current trend is one of “bro country”. Although, it wasn’t long ago when women dominated the country charts (eg. Shania, Martina, Faith, Terri, the Dixie Chicks), and we think things will balance out at radio over the next few years. The only thing we can do is work hard, invite fans into our journey, and remain true to who you are as an artist. We love the female artists you mentioned and plan on being a part of the upswing at radio with all of them!

Q. If we stole a peek at your playlists right now, who would we find in your Top 3 artists?

Ali: I have three albums on repeat these days. Taylor Swift ‘1989’, Little Big Town ‘Pain Killer’ and Broods ‘Evergreen’.

Zoe: It would have to be Ashley Monroe’s “Like a Rose”, Holly Williams “The Highway”, and the classic “Ultimate Waylon Jennings”

Q. Can you give us some details about what’s coming up in 2015 for The Lovelocks? New music? New videos? Tour dates? Festivals? Boots & Hearts?

We have TONS going on! Currently, we are steeped in creative mode, songwriting like maniacs as we prepare to get back in the studio at the beginning of March. We are SO excited to share our new music with everyone, and fans can expect our first single dropping in the spring. We are also excited to play the festival circuit this summer (Boots & Hearts, Big Valley Jamboree, and more will be announced soon!). Finally, we are about to launch a big crowdfunding campaign for our next EP, where fans can partner with us to get some pretty awesome behind-the-scenes experiences with us and help us record our music at the same time! We seriously have the best fans.

note: The day after we sent these questions to the girls they announced Boots & Hearts and Big Valley. We’re very excited to see Ali and Zoe at B&H this summer!

Q. In 50 words or less, tell us what you love about making music.

It’s honestly such a privilege to make music with your best friend. We could not be more thankful for the opportunity to do what we love, and to do it together. We are so excited for the huge things we have coming up in 2015. Fans can expect a lot from The Lovelocks!

Find The Lovelocks online at these fine locations…
www.thelovelocksband.com
Facebook: The Lovelocks
Twitter: @heylovelocks
Instagram: @thelovelocks

And watch the official music video for Dance right here, right now.