Patricia Vonne
(Q)-Name, age, place and date of birth.
(A)-Patricia Vonne , San Antonio TX, age and date of birth, secret.
(Q)- What is the songwriting process like for you?
(A)- Blank piece of paper, a pen and my ’52 Southern Jumbo (guitar).
(Q)- Is songwriting process a cathartic experience for you?
(A)- My new CD, “Guitars and Castanets”, has songs I wrote for people that inspired me musically and personally. My family, Johnny Reno, Joe Ely, and Alejandro Escovedo. Music has always been a healer to me, so to be able to write my own songs is almost always a cathartic experience.
(Q)- This entire album seems to have a several common lyrical themes. One is, ”Life Without Limits.”
(A)- Being one of ten children in a Mexican-American family, my parents always instilled in us the love of music and taught us to not limit ourselves. My parents allowed me to move to NYC at age nineteen to pursue my artistic ambitions. I worked successfully there for ten years. I started my musical career in NYC and once I brought the music back home to my native Texas, I was ready to tackle it with a vengeance.
(Q)-Another theme within the mix of the music is,”Passion.” Passion for everything life has to offer. Agree? Disagree?
(A)- Yes, Agree. To be able to do what you love and make a living at it,’to have a mission in life,a passion,is truly a life worth living. I love to be able to bring that across through my music.
(Q)- Please describe how your career as an actress differs and/or is similar to your career as a recording artist and performer?
(A)- As a recording artist I have more control. I write the songs, I book the shows, I get to choose my team,producer, musicians,etc. The shows are live and the audience feedback is instantanious. As an actress you are reading a script and bringing the character to life. Acting is an extension of what I do as a singer. I love to work! Another plus is, if you are a union actor, you receive Screen Actor’s Guild health insurance.
(Q)- How do you focus on possibilities for your music and not let yourself be ‘boxed in’ by the limitations others might attempt to impose upon you?
(A)- Don’t compromise your artistic integrity. Trust yourself and your work. Treat it like your child and have faith. Do what is right for you. Create your own destiny. It’s more fun that way.
(Q)- Who are your role models as a recording artist?
(A)-One of my greatest musical influences besides my parents were a band “Cruzados” A Mexican rock band that performed their songs in English and Spanish. They made me proud of my heritage as a Mexican -American. They morphed into what is now “Tito and Tarantula”. I had the opportunity to tour Europe as a member of Tito and Tarantula “,who scored my brother’s films “Desperado “and “From Dusk Till Dawn”.
(Q)-Some examples of new tribute songs, you’ve recorded for the new disc, are,Joe Ely,”Joe’s Gone Ridin”, Alejandro Escovedo, “Guitarras y Castañuelas” and Johnny Reno,”Sax Maniac”. Why are there so many tribute numbers on the new disc?
(A)-These three musicians are my heroes. I respect their music so much . Joe Ely gave me one of my first high profile gigs in Texas when I moved back from NYC. It was at a wine festival . I wrote him a letter asking if he needed an opening band for the occasion. Joe gave me the OK, but the booker called me saying ” There ain’t no opening band for no wine festival, but if Joe says, then Joe says”. The song is a tribute to his generosity. Alejandro E. has a skanky rockin’ song called “Castanets” that just compelled me to jump on stage with him on night in NYC. I joined him onstage during that song many times and for that, I wanted to give something back. Johnny Reno was the first live show I saw in my hometown of San Antonio. I was too young to get in to the club so my dad took me. He was so energetic onstage and played a mean saxaphone. He changed my life forever. It was an honor to have him play on the recording of “Sax Maniac.”
(Q)- Who do you see as your fan base? Follow-up question? What kind of feedback are you obtaining from your fan base in regards to the new material?
(A)- My fan base is a wide variety. When I play “all ages” venues, the children dance to the music and I pass out little maracas as souvenirs. I love to get them involved. When we play clubs, we get the listening crowd and the over twenty-one crowd.
(Q)- Is there an individual whom you want to emulate on-stage?
(A)- I have always loved the energy and spitfire of Maria McKee formerly of the band, “Lone Justice”. She owned the stage and she was a force to be reckoned with.
(Q)- Follow-up question. How do you earn that place in the spotlight, center stage? Meaning ,what sets you apart onstage as a performer?
(A)-Our performances are high energy. I incorporate dance movements as I play my castanets. I try to draw the audience in.
(A)- Is there a ritual you perform prior to performing onstage every night?
(A)- Cyndi Lauper taught me a great vocal warm up. Blow into a balloon 10 times to expand the diaphram which will allow you to belt those notes. It works!
(Q)- What is the main specific (central) reason you carry on with singing and continue to work at so many different levels(writing, songwriting ,acting, recording and performing internationally)?
(A)-It allows me to make a difference to others. Music was always a healer for me so this is my opportunity to heal others. Also, with our upcoming fifth European Tour, I am able to travel the world, meet terrific people, learn different cultures, and get paid! I hope to be doing this for the rest of my life.