Actress and singer Alicia Witt chatted with Digital Journal’s Markos Papadatos about her new book “Small Changes,” “The Conduit” album, tour, and about working with actor Andrew Walker.
New book: ‘Small Changes’
On her inspiration to write the book “Small Changes,” she said, “I had been thinking about writing this book for awhile – based on conversations I’d been having with people for years at that point, these sort of accidental encounters that kept happening where people would come up to me to talk, having seen me in something, but then would ask about what I was eating, or my choices to be plant based, or my energy level, or any number of things.”
“Without ever intending to, I would find myself offering ideas and suggestions based on my own experiences, and I started realizing that, precisely because I am the furthest thing from an expert or a guru – just someone who loves healthy, but delicious and satiating food, and has learned a lot about balance over the years – I could perhaps help reach people who feel alienated by my-way-or-the-highway guides,” she elaborated.
“My inspiration for writing it was simply to share my experience and offer some things I’ve learned over all these years and all these conversations -with the knowledge that it doesn’t have to be hard, and those small changes can lead to big changes, as they have for me,” she added.
New Tour
On her new tour, she remarked, “After playing almost 45 live stream shows since pandemic lockdown cancelled my first booking of this tour in march 2020, it seems almost like a dream to be about to play for real live people! I’m hoping that my audience will feel comfortable coming out, knowing that we will have COVID protocols in place at all the venues (see shows listing for details).”
“I’ve gotten so used to playing to a computer screen, the thought of having real actual beautiful faces before me seems too joy-inducing to even imagine. my favorite part is when I can see people singing along. After having my first single on the AC radio Top 30 Billboard Chart for five weeks- I know there will be people coming out to shows of mine for the very first time, which is a real thrill,” she said.
“We’ll be touring with four band members total, and I can’t wait to play the songs on The Conduit (and from all my previous releases) with a full band,” she said.
Her new album “The Conduit” is available on digital service providers by clicking here.
The digital age
On being a singer and an actress in the digital age, she said, “I feel very grateful to be in this age. Although it’s true, there’s more dilution of any given medium – harder to make a living at any one show or album- there’s much more opportunity for people to find your work.”
“It’s a wonder to know that, at any given moment, someone in a country far across the world is listening to a song you made up. and you will likely never meet them. By the same token, I meet people all the time at my shows who had no idea I have other careers and only know me as a musician that they heard on Spotify, and I’m grateful for the streaming platforms for getting those listeners out to my live shows,” she said.
Advice for hopefuls in the entertainment world
For young and aspiring performers, she said, “Just keep on doing what you love, and if you believe in your heart that you’re supposed to be doing this for a living – I bet you are but you have to want it with your entire heart and soul. If you believe in yourself, others will too.”
Working with Andrew Walker
Witt had great words about working with fellow actor Andrew Walker on the Hallmark Channel. “Andrew is the best,” she exclaimed. “Getting to see him and hang with him every day, not to mention the thrill of creating scenes with him, was a gift I’d love to have over and over again.”
“I would love to create something with him where we can both play roles we can get a little grittier with as well. While we were working together, we dug a bit further into each other’s careers and watched some of our independent film work. He is just a revelation in ‘Steel Toes’,” she said.
Career-defining moments
Regarding her career-defining moments, she remarked, “Working with Al Pacino, for sure. an example of getting to meet and work opposite one of my greatest inspirations, and to have come away from it as an even bigger fan of his.”
“I tell a story in my book about a specific moment on set with him that did help define me and taught me more than any acting class- which I’ve never taken – could ever have done). Opening for Jimmy Webb at my first ever songwriter gig – that helped define me forever when he told me he thought I was ‘a great songwriter’. To hear that from one of the truly great songwriters of all time kept me going in every moment when I doubted myself in that world,” she said.
Success
On her definition of the word success, she said, “Success means so many different things- just to make a living at creating art – and to have been able to do so since age 19 – that’s success by any measure, and I am grateful for it on a daily basis.”
“To have charted on the radio with this album, as a fully independent artist – that’s another measure, and a milestone for me. if i can reach people with my characters, my songs, and this book – that will be the absolute definition of success to me,” she explained.
Fans
For her fans, she remarked, “My deepest goal with my new music and my new book is to connect with others. please check out a few of the songs and see if they resonate with you – I believe we all have ‘conduits’ in our lives, and that conversely we all are conduits for each other.”
“Every song on The Conduit is meant to tell a story about a person or a connection that lead to a turning point, another marker along the way. and if you enjoy the songs- we’d love to see you out on the road,” she exclaimed.
“I put my heart and soul into every show and I’d love to share it with you, if one of these 14 cities is a city near you. as for my book – if you feel like you need to make some improvements to the life you have, or if you just feel a little stuck – I would be honored if some of what I’ve learned along the way can help you some,” she said.
“I share a slew of easy and delicious recipes as well – all plant-based, but I promise you’d never know it from the taste! one of my favorite things in life is to make food for friends and watch them enjoy it – especially when I serve a carnivore one of my dishes and they tell me, ‘I really don’t like vegetables – but I can’t stop eating this!” she concluded.
To learn more about Alicia Witt and her latest projects, click here.
