Interview with Tracy Yott
Added by guitargirl on March 5, 2010 at 4:42pm

Metal 101's Trashbrat13 recently caught up with Tracy Yott and had the chance to ask him some very informative questions
about his career and his music. Read the interview to learn more about Tracy!

Metal 101 would like to thank Tracy for taking the time to do an interview, we greatly appreciate it. You Rock!!

Metal 101 (Trashbrat13):I thought we could start out with a little background information. What got you into the music
industry? Who and what would you say are your biggest influences?

Tracy:I have had many influences over the years, but I would have to say that the ones who made the biggest impression on
me in my youth were KISS, and The Beatles. I was always listening to those two bands. KISS just blew my mind. The image,
the music, and all the mystique that went with it was just memorizing in every way. Overall, I would say they were the ones that
inspired me in all areas.

Metal 101 (Trashbrat13):How would you best describe your genre of music? Are you ever 'likened' to any other artist(s)?

Tracy:I have never been told that I sounded like anyone else. If someone had thought that I sounded like someone else, then
they never told me. I seem to get a standard reaction of being told that I am completely original, and have my own unique
style. This was exactly what I was going for. As far as my genre, I’m not completely sure what to call it at the moment. I know
that I can fit in many different categories, and that I can cross over several genres of music, but I have no definite name for
my style at the moment. I am sure it will come in time, but hopefully it will be something I can agree with.

Metal 101 (Trashbrat13):So, is there a reason why you have become a solo artist as opposed to going down the whole 'band'
route?

Tracy:Indeed there is. I tried the whole band route for a long time, but something always seemed to go wrong. Usually the
problem was that I had trouble finding people that were as serious as I was when it came to working on and with the music. I
came to a point in my life where I got tired of waiting around for others to show up, and decided to do it all myself. I could
have kept using a band name, but I felt that since I had created it all, then I should just use my name instead of making it out
to be a group effort when it was not.

Metal 101 (Trashbrat13):You have released three albums to date. Could you tell us a little about the first two? Any favorite
songs, or songs which hold a special meaning to you?

Tracy:All of my songs hold a special meaning to me in one way or another, but I can go into a little more detail about the
albums.

The Temptation(2007) The Temptation was the birth of my new style in many ways. I had done a demo before this album, but
was not happy with the end result. It came out sounding a bit more like classic rock than my original goal of something new
and different. The first track on this album “Collision” was the first song written for this album, and it was exactly as the title
states. It was a collision between my older style, and the new style I wanted to create. I learned a lot while doing this album,
and in every way, this was the real process that created my new style. I experimented with all kinds of new ideas while
recording, and really pushed the bounds of what I knew at the time. The song “I’m Alive” which has gotten a huge response
from fans, was originally an experiment in storytelling. It also blended my music with a darker path of lyric content that still
follows me today when I write. The song “Victim of the Moment” gave me the opportunity to add a very tribal nature to the
drum end of my music, and the percussive solo in the middle of the song, rather than a guitar solo, was an attempt to
reshape the way some songs are organized. I could go on and on about this album, but I will get on to the second release of
mine instead.

Plastic Halo (2008) After I finished my first album “The Temptation”, I had a very turbulent and dark period in my life. I wont go
into details, but I will just say that life was beating on me with rather a large stick. A lot of this emotion came out in the music
and lyrics of the album “Plastic Halo”, but in many ways seemed to shape my music even more towards where I wanted it.
Songs on this album such as “Take My Soul, Page By Page, Murder My Time, and Shattered Inside” were a direct reflection
of things happening in my life at that time. This album brought a rougher edge to my music in some ways, but again took me
farther down the road of experience with creating my new style.

Metal 101(Trashbrat13)  Earlier this year, you released your third album titled Electric Hero. Could you break it down track by
track and tell us a little about each one, and the inspiration behind them?

Tracy:
1 Get Out Of My Head
Get Out of my Head was basically what I was feeling at the time. I got so tired of everyone trying to tell me what to do with my
life when, most of the time, those people were unhappy, and their lives were falling apart. I was very blunt with the title, and
did not hold back on emotion. I feel everyone, at some point, can relate to this feeling.

2 Run Away
Have you ever known people that always seem to run away from everything? People that don’t let others get too close?
People that always keep their walls up, and if you get too close, they disappear? Well I have known a few, so I put my
opinions into lyrics and “Run Away” was born.

3 The Spell
Another short story. I always likened it to a good spirit being brought back from the grave, and banishing evil spirits. It is not a
religious song in any way, just a little story with very different, and experimental music to what I have done before.

4 Figment
Figment is in many ways a love song. It also hints at illusions, but gives no clear answer as to what, or who the illusion is. In
the lyrics It may seem like the person singing the song is the illusion, but it also points out the person being sung to is not
real, but is still there.

5 Into The Unknown (Prelude to The Vision)
The longest song I have written to date, and completely instrumental as well as experimental. It was my first song that I had
written with absolutely no guitar in it at all. It is mostly electronic with a whole lot of drums, and bass.

6 The Vision
Into the Unknown was the prelude to the Vision, because The Vision picks up where it leaves off. I tried to make some valid
points about the way I look at life, and try to bring some inspirational words to listeners. I feel that this is the most uplifting
thing I could write without bringing religion into anything.

7 Flashback 99
Exactly as the name implies. It is totally a flashback to my style ten years before I wrote it with a smoking guitar solo all over it.
It too, is an instrumental, but I kept it short and sweet as all flashbacks should be.

8 Mistaken Identity
Have you ever had the experience where someone tried to make you into something you are not? Well I have, and this was a
good way for me to get those feelings out of my system. When you suddenly realize that someone doesn’t know who you
really are, wants you to be what you are not, or has taken you for a ride, then it is a total case of mistaken identity.

9 Wasting Away From Me
It is about watching someone fall apart, and no matter how hard you try to help, they wont let you. There is an old saying
about helping someone who is drowning. That sometimes they can pull you down as well. Some people are just purely self
destructive, and this was an observation of that type of behavior.

10 Lost One(Reprise)
Another instrumental. I had a lot of fun doing certain pieces of music on this album that I felt would have been ruined by
putting lyrics to it. Lost One always seemed like a spirit soaring through to the next world, but unsure of the destination.

11 Wont Give In (Unplugged)
I wrote this song back in 1997. Whenever I feel down, or depressed, or like life is taking another chunk out of my soul, I grab
my acoustic guitar and play this song. It is uplifting in the sense that it reminds you that your life is what you make it, and not
to let things get you down.

Metal 101 (Trashbrat13):How would you say your music has evolved since your first album?

Tracy:By leaps and bounds. I am currently working on tracks for my fourth album, which takes my music to the next level. I
have learned so much since my first album, and especially since my demo “Broken Remains”, and I feel that my music is just
getting better all the time. I really cannot wait to see the end result of my next album after all that I have learned in the
process of creating the first three. Music should evolve for any band, or it will stagnate. Kiss, and the Beatles are very good
examples of this. If you do not try new things once in a while, you can never grow and learn.

Metal 101 (Trashbrat13):Your albums are literally 'all your own work' from the writing and composing of songs to the
engineering and production of the album. That surely has to take a whole lot of dedication and hard work?? How do you
manage it all? Have you considered approaching a record company at all?

Tracy:I manage it about as well as I can. There are times I feel like having a nervous breakdown, or pulling some hair out, but
that doesn’t solve things. If it gets too rough I walk away for a little while until I have found a better approach to what I want to
do. In most ways, I have found working by myself to be extremely beneficial to me in my music writing. I don’t have to spend
long hours trying to explain what I want to someone who may, or may not get my point. The only drawback is being your own
worst critic. I would prefer a record company to approach me actually. I could use the support and the backing, but if the offer
was not what I am looking for then I would have to turn it down. By doing all of my music myself I have kept myself from losing
money to the “points system” that record companies usually employ with their artists. If I received a good offer that involved
distribution of my music, promotion, and help with live events and touring, but left the creative end to me and all that it entails,
then I would jump on it.

Metal 101 (Trashbrat13):who does the artwork for your album covers?

Tracy:I have done that too. In fact, I even took the pictures of myself for the album covers. The Electric Hero album cover is
simply a very enhanced picture of my Egyptian band tattoo. I did all the editing, enhancement, and design for my album
jackets, inserts, and CD covers by myself.

Metal 101 (Trashbrat13):How hard is it to promote yourself as an independent artist. Do you feel there are pros and cons to
being independent?

Tracy:Very hard. There are ups and downs to being independent. On the upside, I control everything that I do, and nobody
owns me. I do not have to ask any permission for anything, and only do what I am interested in doing. The downside is
simple. I could use more backing financially. When money gets tight things get put on hold, such as the release of my
albums, and anything else that requires capitol that can sometimes be difficult to acquire. It takes a lot of time to promote
yourself, especially if you are not playing live shows. Thankfully we have something in this day and age that makes promotion
a little bit easier to those who are a little techno-savvy. The internet! Thanks to sites like Facebook, Myspace, and my own
website, it is easier to promote than it was before computers. Thanks to my growing numbers of fans on the internet, my
music has not only become global, but the fans are helping to promote me as well. Word of mouth travels at the speed of
light online, and it has been hugely beneficial to me not only for promotion, but also for merchandising, and album sales.

Metal 101 (Trashbrat13):Recently, you became no.1 metal artist in your area of California! How did this make you feel??

Tracy:I’m not sure how to put that into words really, but initially I was shocked. It happened in all of a few days, and it left me a
bit stunned at first. I am excited, thrilled, pleased beyond belief, and still a bit stunned, but I feel that it is just the first step in
my career as a musician. It was also fuel for the fire in a lot of ways. It shows me that people are interested in what I have to
offer, and makes me want to work harder to make my presence known on a greater scale globally.

Metal 101 (Trashbrat13):Have you done any tours? If so, who did you play with? Do you have any plans for upcoming tours?
Do you have people in mind who would play along with you or would you have to hire outside help?

Tracy:I have not toured yet with my music, as I am still recruiting musicians for a live set. This can be harder than it seems to
some people. I would be more than happy to tour right now if my live band were ready, but there are still missing ingredients
that I must locate before I can begin touring. I want to take my show all over the world when it is possible, and as soon as
everything is ready then I will do so.

Metal 101 (Trashbrat13):Tourwise, who would your dream bill of bands be?

Tracy:Well, I would love to tour with some of my influences and music heroes. Kiss, Alice Cooper, W.A.S.P., and a few others
would be a dream come true for me. I would love to headline with bands that would fit well musically on a bill with me, but I
would also like to incorporate other elements to a live show that have not been used as much in the past. I would say more
about this, but I wouldn’t want anyone to cash in on my ideas.

Metal 101 (Trashbrat13):You have recently been working on your first music video for 'Get Out Of My Head'. Where did you
get your ideas from for this video? How much fun did you have shooting it?? Do you plan on doing more videos in the near
future?

Tracy:The video shoot has not been completed yet, but I foresee good things with the project. This will give the audience
more of a visual of what I am about as far as my image and performance style. I am also working on some behind the scenes
elements of my music, which could very well work it’s way into a DVD release in the future. I always have fun working with my
music. If you aren’t enjoying what you do, then why would you do it?

Metal 101 (Trashbrat13):You have a rather striking image, very theatrical! Which leads me to ask, do you have an interest in
horror/shock type shows? Is this something you would consider doing?

Tracy:It is in many ways the very essence of what I am putting together for a live show. Not so much the “horror” element, but
very theatric. I always felt that the audience deserves a great show, and that is what I plan to deliver. The entire performance
will work theatrics around the set list of music, as well as other elements to entertain the crowd. If your audience isn’t talking
about your show for years to come, then you aren’t doing your job as an entertainer!

Metal 101 (Trashbrat13):Tracy, you work extremely hard!! What kind of things do you like to do to kick back and relax?

Tracy:I play music! Ironic isn’t it? There are other things that I do though. I watch movies, play video games, surf the internet,
and go for a drive. I’m still a person under all this makeup, and I don’t think I am much different than most people. I also enjoy
spending time with friends, and having some time with nature from time to time. Being from California, I love the beach, and
there is always something very relaxing about laying on the beach and listening to the surf.

Metal 101 (Trashbrat13):What, in your mind, does 2010 hold for you? Further into the future... what is the overall vision for
Tracy Yott?

Tracy:I feel that things are just beginning for me. It has taken a lot of time for the ball to get rolling, but now it is motion, and it
is gaining momentum all the time. I foresee a lot of good things happening this year with my music, and am hoping to be
shocked at the end of the year by how much I have accomplished. My overall vision would be to take my music on a world
tour, and see as many other countries as possible. I am already getting a large fan base in Australia, The UK, and many
parts of Europe. I would love to see these fans face to face from the stage and show them what my music is all about with a
live show that compares to no other. And as long as there is life in this body, I will continue to deliver my music to my fans any
way I can.

Metal 101 (Trashbrat13):So, where can we fans keep up to date with what you are doing? Also, where can we obtain your
albums and other merchandise?

Tracy:The best place to keep up to date with everything going on with me, and to obtain merchandise is to visit my website at
www.tracyyott.com. It has everything you need to keep up to date as much as possible with me and my music. I also have a
Facebook music page which is very interactive with the fans, and offers links to anything that I am doing, photos, and
sometimes up to the minute reports on what is going on with me. The address for this page is: www.facebook.
com/pages/Tracy-Yott/52652706283. I have another profile at Reverbnation which is attached to my merchandise store. www.
reverbnation.com/tracyyott where you can hear samples or go directly to my merchandise store to purchase my CD’s,
individual song downloads, T-shirts, and other items. There are more things to come in the future as well. My home website
tracyyott.com has links to all of these places, as well as others I have not mentioned here, and is the best place to go for any
information on any of these things.

Metal 101 (Trashbrat13):Do you have any advice you would give to anybody just starting out in the music business?

Tracy:Yes I do. Never give up! Don’t listen to anybody that tells you that you can’t do it, because if everybody listened to that
statement, then we would not have all of the wonderful music that exists in the world today. Most importantly, play from the
heart. Do not play something just because it is popular, or because it is in fashion, but because it is what you feel the most.

Metal 101 (Trashbrat13):Is there anything you would like to add to this or say to all your fans out there?

Tracy:I would like to thank all of my wonderful fans for believing in me, and helping to make my dream a reality. Thank you for
your support, your kind words, your belief, and your love. I cherish every ounce of it, and I hope you know that it means the
world to me. I am your Vampyrate, and will always do my very best to give you the best of myself in my music. I love you all!!