Storm Large on Her New Album & Upcoming Holiday Ordeal

Monday, November 24, 2014

Byron Beck, GoLocalPDX Features Editor

Storm Large

Storm Large. Photo by Autumn de Wilde

GoLocalPDX had a chance to speak to Portland's least diva-iest of divas, the one and only Storm Large about her new album and her upcoming holiday show, the ever popular “Storm Large Holiday Ordeal” at the Aladdin Theater, that will likely be close to, if not, sold out by the time this interview appears.

That's to be expected from the legion of fans who have followed Storm over the years, here in Portland and elsewhere. That's just how Storm rolls.

But lately, Storm has been rolling a new style of musical joint. Her new album, “Le Bonheur” shows a different side of Storm than some might remember from her days with her “Balls” at Dante’s.

This is a more “grown-up” Storm (her words not mine). The one that was nurtured during her acclaimed one woman show “Crazy Enough” at Portland Center Stage, as well as with Pink Martini, a band you’ll often find Storm performing with across the globe, that is when she isn’t doing her own stuff in Portland or in NYC at Joe’s Pub or various other venues across the country (she just returned from a tour of the states).

Sure, Storm still sings about her vagina but her new album includes a plethora of her favorite songs, everything from the catchy “The Lady Is a Tramp” (where in concert she often name-checks Gus Van Sant and Mary’s Club) to the sublime Randy Newman tune, “I Think It’s Going To Rain Today.” On the album she kicks butt on everything from Bad Brains “Sacred Love” to Jacques Brel “Ne me quitte pas” to the Righteous Brothers “Unchained Melody.” It’s quite a musical journey, much like Storm. Sit back and enjoy the ride as Storm talks about music, "Portlandia" and not taking yourself "super seriously."

GoLocalPDX: How did you choose the songs for the album?
Storm Large: I just picked some of my favorite songs of love, longing, and loss, most of which I'd been performing forever.

How was the recording process on this project different from previous albums?
I got to take my time. Usually we go into the studio with three days to nail everything, and I did not want to do it that way again. It was around eleven days total, but over several months.

What was your favorite song to record on the album?
"Saving All my Love," by Tom Waits because I got to sing with my friend Puddles (of Puddles Pity Party).

How has it been performing these songs live?
So amazing. I love my band...personally and professionally, just the best guys around.

What is your favorite song on the album to perform live?
Maybe "N.I.B." or "Forbidden Fruit." It changes nightly...like underpants.

You cover the work of musical icons, such as Lou Reed on "Satellite of Love." Was there any fear on your part approaching what you would sing from his song book?
Totally. Especially Lou Reed because he was canonized long before he died. YOU DON'T TOUCH LOU. Nobody is cool enough. But, I've never ever been even a teeny bit cool. So I did Lou. I love that song so hard...he was such an epic poet, with a sharp and cynical voice, more often than not. But Satellite has so much gorgeous hope beaming out of it, sonically for me. Even though he says the “satellite of love” is gone, and the poem has some bleak barbs in it....the big churchy ruckus at the end makes me feel like love could never be gone completely.

Are there other songs you would have liked to have covered on the album?
No. I put everything I wanted in that little shiny circle of noises.

What was it like collaborating with your band and other artists on this album?
Beautiful. Everyone was very happy with the process, ease and lightness of the vibe at Kung Fu (Kung Fu Bakery is a recording studio in Southeast Portland). We were serious about making a beautiful record, without taking ourselves super seriously.

How important was it that you recorded with a Portland label like Heinz Records?
I've never recorded with a label before, other than my own so the first might as well be with my home town peeps!

What do you think of Portland's influence on culture across the U.S. and the globe?
I have mixed feelings. It seems people who watch “Portlandia,” but have never been here, have a kind of cartoon-y concept of the City, but most people who HAVE been here all say, "Oh, I LOVE Portland!" They often say they have a friend/brother/ex/parent/teacher moving to Portland.

Have you seen “Portlandia"?
I don't watch TV but I love Carrie Brownstein something fierce. She is scary brilliant.

Is being from Portland have any influence on your work?
Only on my ability to DO my work. Portland is an affordable place and supremely supportive of its artists.

What has been the response to the album on the road?
People are loving it. But my niece, when she heard there were no swear (words) on the album, cautioned me that it may not make any money because of it.

Do people expect the Storm that once played the stages of clubs like Dante's or are they expecting the Storm they see when you perform with Pink Martini?
They get what I give them and are mostly satisfied with whatever goofy mood I'm in. I'm sure there are folks who still wish I was in a band with Tommy Lee. But they'll get over it eventually.

You seem to be carving out a whole new genre in music: rock and roll cabaret. Is that a fair assessment of your music, or do you think it is something else?
That's fairly close, yes but I am by no means carving it out. There have been heaps of comediennes, story-tellers, minstrels and drag queens kicking down those doors for ages. I gratefully follow them.

When will be the next time Portland audiences will get a chance to see you?
The Holiday Ordeal at the Aladdin Theater on "Black Friday" and "Periwinkle Saturday"!

The Storm Large Holiday Ordeal, Aladdin Theater, 3017 SE Milwaukie Ave., 8 pm Fri.-Sat., Nov. 28-29. $35. Click here for tickets.