Memories, Music and Pride

Memories, Music & Pride, the third album by Alice Wallace, finds the Southern California-based Americana singer-songwriter exploring fresh musical terrain on striking self-penned material inspired by new emotional and geographical compass points. Wallace, whose powerful, elastic singing and melodic, literate song-crafting skill have helped her garner nominations as best Country/Americana artist and best live band from the Orange County Music Awards. She views Memories, Music & Pride as a significant step forward - one that bears a more integrated yet all-embracing sound. "This record is more cohesive, as far as style is concerned," she says. "I like blues, I like folk, I like country. This one still touches on all of those. But with this album I feel like I was trying to bridge the gap between my influences in old-time country with newer artists like Sturgill Simpson and Jason Isbell, whose albums have opened my eyes to what modern country can be." The 11-track collection - Wallace's first release on Los Angeles-based California Country Records - succeeds two widely praised independent releases, Sweet Madness (2011) and A Thousand Miles From Home (2013). It was co-produced by Kirsten Proffit, of the attention-getting L.A. Americana trio CALICO the band, and Steve Berns, who also helmed Calico's 2014 debut release Rancho California. Summing up her achievements on Memories, Music & Pride, Wallace says, "We're stretching ourselves musically, and I'm honing the craft of songwriting. I love the way this album came out, and I feel like it will add to where country music is going currently."