Q: You have a very unique 'genre' of music, how would you describe it?
A: I would describe it as the illigitimate offspring of American Metal/Hard Rock and European Electronic with maybe a
baptismal splash of Industrial just for good measure.
Q: Was it your ambition to come up with a new sound? or to improve current genres?
A: Yes. Actually I have spent a lot of time, years in fact, trying to come up with a fresh sound. I wanted my music to be
different and not just lumped in with a million other artists/bands.
Q: You played all the instruments on your album, where did you learn to do it all?
A: Trial and error I would say. All my life I have wanted to play pretty much any musical instrument I could get my
hands on, so anytime I was able to, I would learn as much as I could about any instrument in question.
Q: What is your favorite instrument to play and why?
A: I have always been more of a guitarist than anything else. It just seems natural to me. I have played other
instruments in other bands, but I am never as comfortable on any other instrument as I am on the guitar.
Q: What are your plans in relation to touring?
A: Well, I plan to tour as much of the world as possible, but as far as in the near future, I plan on hitting as many
areas as possible.
Q: You have a great profile on myspace, do you know which countries show the most interest and if there are specific
ones, would they be the countries you would consider touring in first?
A: Well, I seem to have a larger following in the European areas than I do in the U.S.A. at the moment, but I am trying
to spread the music as globaly as possible. I would definately consider touring Europe, and plan to as soon as
possible.
Q: As an Independant musician, how hard is it to get your music out there?
A: Very tough. Even though most musicians have the power in their own hands without having to deal with record
companies taking more than they are willing to give, it is still tough to get the exposure and audience you are looking
for. Another problem is the fact that there is so much music available today, that it is really difficult to actually be
"original" with your material, and your target audience could be halfway across the globe. The best thing about being
independant today, is that you have the internet on your side, and can use it to reach that audience on the other side
of the globe.
Q: Have you approached any major record labels?
A:I did a small compilation album a few years ago, The "Pittsburgh Rockers for Life" project, which was supposed to
catch the attention of major labels, but I am not entirely sure that they ever got the press kit that Illumina Records was
supposed to release to them. I never received the copy of it that I asked for, so it is hard to say whether or not any of
the Major Labels did. I do think however; that if they did get ahold of it, that I would have been contacted by now. It
was still good to do the project tho, as it was an anti-drunk driving themed album, and it was good to be a part of
something so positive even in a small way like donating a song.
Q: Your new look is certainly eye catching, what inspired it?
A: A lot of vintage theater, shock rock bands, and old classic horror movies mostly. In a lot of ways I combined many
of my dress styles over the years into one style. I think of it as less goth and more old time 20s and 30s style
movie/theater makeup.
Q: Some of your lyrics show a 'dark' side, where did the inspiration come from?
A: 'laughs' everyone has a dark side, and I have seen many of other people's dark sides over the years. You write
what you know, what you have lived, what you have learned, and what you have observed in your life. You cant write
about something you know nothing about. I have had many dark days in my life, and there's no better way to exorcise
your demons than to throw them into the light, and put them down in lyric form.
Q: Would you consider yourself to have a 'dark' side?
A: As I said before, everyone has a dark side. It is easier to see in some people, but it is always there, and usually
where you least expect it. My dark side was born out of a very rough and many times violent childhood full of
traumatic experiences, but don't worry, I have it under control.
Q: There is alot of pain coming through in your lyrics, is this from personal experience?
A:I have had a lot of pain from various sources in my life, so yes. Emotional and mental scars run far deeper than
physical ones, and they always shape who and what we become.
Q: Do you reflect on personal experience when writing a song?
A: It all depends on the song really. I have written some songs out of ideas, or even dreams, but yes you have to
really know about what you are writing otherwise how can you put your heart and soul into it?
Q: In person, you are an extremely positive person.. what do you attribute this to?
A: Mostly it would be from a lot of negativity I dealt with as a kid. I have been through a lot of really hard times, so it's
easy to know that things can always be worse. Keeping that in mind it is easier to remain positive. Also, what is the
use in being negative all the time? It doesn't help you in any way, and in fact all it does is harm you.
Q: Do you mind speaking about your personal life? or is it something you wish to keep private.
A: Well I think that all depends on what aspect of my personal life now doesn't it?
Q: What are your goals for the next 12 months?
A: To be even closer to the level of success that I want to have, and to be doing a whole lot more musically. Global
recognition wouldnt be bad either.
Q: What projects are you currently working on?
A: Well right now I have been doing some video shoots for a few songs. I am almost finished with my third album
entitled "Electric Hero", and getting all the cover art done. The videos will be released soon on the website, and on
the music profile I have on youtube. I have also been doing some photo work in order to put some more pics of me
out there in the public eye on places like myspace, facebook, my website, and a few others.
Q: Where is the best place to keep up todate with all the Tracy Yott news?
A: Well at WWW.TRACYYOTT.COM we try to keep it as up to date as possible, and are adding new things all the
time. If anyone was looking for info on me, that would be the best place to look.
Interview by Dana Thompson.
Q&A With Tracy Yott