Hippie with soul Allen Stone is a 25-year-old singer-songwriter from Chewelah, Washington.
The son of a preacher, Allen got into music at an early age and knew it was a career he wanted to pursue. Heās just released his self-titled EP here in the UK.
We caught up with All to talk about the EP, find out more about his music and talk about how he started out.
How are you today? Where does this email Q&A find you?
Iām great; Iām in my favorite place in the world, Amsterdam!
Your debut EP is out now. Tell us about it.
Itās the soul album Iāve always wanted to put out. Iāve been given the opportunity to work with some amazing soul songwriters and musicians. This record has much more of a soul sound than my last one.
For people who donāt know who you are and what youāre about, tell us a bit about yourself?
Well, Iām a hippie kid from a small town in Washington state who loves soul music, and singing is what gives my life purpose.
Although people describe you as a soul and R & B singer, you see yourself as a hippie with soul. Please could you explain what this means?
People always imagine soul singers as clean-cut guys in suits, I don’t quite fit that description, but I love to perform and produce that type of music.
When did you start singing and when did you decide this was the career for you?Ā
I started singing in the church as a kid, which was my favourite part of going to church every week. It wasnāt until I was 16 or so that I decided I wanted to try and make a career out of it.
You moved to Seattle to pursue your musical career, where you a fan of the famous bands that have surfaced from that are? Why did you choose Seattle?Ā
Seattle is close to home for me, and a lot of my dearest friends are there. I also love the music scene, there are a lot of strong musicians there and the music community is very special. Thereās so much more to it than the grunge bands that came out of the area in the 90s.
How would you describe your style of music and who musically influences you the most?
Soul and R&B. My greatest influences are Stevie Wonder, Donny Hathawayā¦ etc
What can fans expect from your live show?Ā
They can expect a greasy soul show, and if they donāt get up and start dancing I will yell at em until they do!
Which of your songs is your favourite to perform and why?Ā
Contact HighĀ because the message of the song is really meaningful to me and people really listen attentively when I sing it.
What has been the best gig that you have been to and what made it so special?
Outside Lands this year I got to open up the main stage several hours before Stevie Wonder. I had the privilege of watching him soundcheck, and he is my idol, so that was a huge moment.
What are your plans for 2013?Ā
Spending more time in the UK and Europe, and writing more for the next record. I expect to play more festivals around the world as well.
We love this time of year. Do you have any favourite Christmas songs?
Have Yourself A Merry Little ChristmasĀ is a classic.
Allen’s self-titled EP is out now.