Questions with Ali Spagnola

The term polymath is thrown around a lot these days . . . and Ali hopes someone will throw it at her. She does many different, seemingly unconnected things and this biography will attempt to tie them together to explain one fabulously interesting person. Now, this may sound a bit conceited and that is only because Ali is, in fact, a bit conceited and she is the one writing this. Although she is not too conceited to know that anyone actually cool would have someone write her bio for her. OK, on to the facts.

The Early Years

• Ali was born in a town outside of Pittsburgh, PA and raised by two spectacular parents. (This is in here because Ali knows her mom is probably the only person that will read this.)
• At age three, Ali began studying dance taking tap, jazz and ballet classes.
• At age five she started playing the piano. Shortly after that she became a percussionist in her school band and then picked up the guitar and started taking voice lessons.
• When she wasn't being a music nerd she was being a computer nerd, making websites and designing graphics.
• Dancing became a big part of her life in middle school when she joined a dance company in which she competed all through high school.
• Near the end of her high school career, Ali took classes in musical theater at Carnegie Mellon University. That experience influenced her decision to apply to the school.
• Ali went to Carnegie Mellon University to study Art. Her concentration was in sculpture and she also had a focus in Music Theory.

Ok, that's enough with the chronological. The rest of this is going to be grouped by subject to make it easier to follow. - Taken from Ali's own biography: www.alispagnola.com/bio/

1.How often do you find your events cancelled, such as that time in Michigan?

It's actually happened more often than I'd like to admit. People get scared of me due to the perceived nature of my show. But it's much more harmless than anyone thinks until they experience it.

2. Your USB shot glass- was that a money spinner or just a bit of fun?

I'm hoping for it to be both. So far it's been fun :)

3. If you could collaborate with any musician alive or dead, who would it be?

Mozart

4. What was the last song you listened to?

Roar by Katy Perry

5. Any musical inspirations?

Michael Jackson's work is pretty darn inspiring.

6. Would you say you need quite thick skin to be able to do what you do?

Definitely. The internet can be pretty darn mean. Nice too, though!

7. Do you ever join in on the drinking?

I drink during my shows but I certainly can't play the game. I wouldn't make it to the end of the show.

8. Would you say your live show is the best out there? Have you ever been to a gig that came close to the apparent anarchy of yours?

I'm definitely not the best out there. Maybe the best drinking game show performed by a 5'2" female that grew up in Pittsburgh.

9. Would you ever come to England? (Pretty please) 

Haha I'd love to! Hopefully soon I'll be successful enough to start performing overseas :)

Questions with author Albert Jack

Albert Jack – December 2013

Albert Jack is an English writer and historian who became something of a publishing phenomenon in 2004 when his first book Red Herrings and White Elephants, which explored the origins of well-known phrases in the English language, became a huge international best-seller. The book was serialised by the Sunday Times for over a year and stayed in the top ten of the UK Sunday Times best-seller list for sixteen months.

His follow up book Shaggy Dogs and Black Sheep was also a best seller and has sold over 150,000 copies since publication in October 2005. It became Penguin Book's Christmas best-seller. His hilarious third book, a study of Urban Legends called Phantom Hitchhikers is also a best-seller and was released in paperback in September 2007. In the same month Red Herrings and White Elephants was re-released for the first time in paperback and Albert has provided 30% more content for a revised and expanded version that is sure to hit the best-seller list once again.

Fascinated by discovering the truth behind the world's great stories, Albert has become an expert in explaining the unexplained, which is great news for conversations and storytellers everywhere. - taken from his websight

1. When you were growing up, was writing something you always wanted to do?

Yes it was, but I had no idea how to go about it. I had no clue how to start. And it is not something you readily admit to anybody either. It’s almost like a dark secret. Eventually I worked it out and explain all of that in my book, Want to be a Writer? Then do it properly!

2. How long does it usually take you to complete a book?

The first draft of a manuscript usually takes me 2-3 months. There is a lot of editing afterwards, but getting all the words down shouldn’t take longer than that. Overall I wouldn’t spend longer than 5-6 months on any particular project. If you are labouring for a year or more on a first draft then you are probably wasting your time. Although history suggests there are always exceptions to that. Not many though.

3. Do you ever get writers block? Do you have any tips to overcome such obstacles?

No, I don’t believe in it. I believe in bone idleness and fully understand that part; I am something of an expert. But not writer’s block, there is no such thing. I have no time for creative types who sit around and muse all day, waiting for inspiration. That’s bollocks. Just sit down and get on with it. One tip I give, if asked, is to finish each day halfway through a paragraph. Or even a line. Don’t try to tidy things up nicely before you end for the day. That way you have something to be getting on with as soon as you start the next session.

4. Last Man in London, your new novel, what has the feedback been so far?

Well, it only went on sale yesterday, so it is too early to say. But I see this morning that it is selling and early reviews are great. Mind you, the sample chapters had over 50,000 readers online and hundreds of positive comments so I am pleased with it, so far. I’m very proud of it.

5. You spent time in Vietnam, was that for research and has it given you any inspiration for your writing?

Not really no. It’s not where you are that inspires your writing. It is what you are thinking and the routine you adopt. You must have a routine as a writer, and you can do that anywhere. Although my time in Vietnam has inspired a series of articles which document my experiences here, some of which are very funny. I may release that one day as Your Man in Hanoi. You can read some of those on my website. www.albertjackchat.com

6. History is a specialty of yours, would you say in your career you have ever been shocked at some of your findings? Or have you ever been surprised by some of your research?

I don’t think I have ever been shocked. But surprised, yes. Often pleasantly so. Research is usually the best part of writing a book. It’s as much fun for me to find out interesting and controversial things as it is for the reader, when they eventually read the finished item. For every reader of any of my books who has ever shouted, ‘hey Margaret, did you know this?’ Then I assure you I did the same when I was writing it, only not with Margaret.

6. If you had to tell people to read one book (sadly not one of yours), what would you implore them to read?

I never recommend my own books. I think that is a pretty narcissistic thing to do. I’ve just taken ten minutes to think about this and it is almost impossible to recommend one book. It just depends on who is asking you and what interests them. The most recent book I read was God is Not Great by the late Christopher Hitchens. I know it has been around for a while but I finally got round to it last month. I would certainly recommend that.

7. Illuminati, a controversial topic - thoughts? 

It’s not controversial for me. Democracy in the West was even founded as a Polyarchy. America certainly was. It meant that the primary objective of government had always been to protect the interests of the wealthy few. They were the leaders and their respected dynasties. In other words, they were the winners. It was how western democracy was designed. It meant that the fundamental principal, when it came to shared decisions, was that their own interests, individually and collectively, were considered equally. Lord Byron was complaining about this in the 1830’s, it’s always been the same. Just because some people are finding out now and making a big deal of the Bilderberg Group, doesn’t mean it is new. And I am not a conspiracy theorist.

8. What can we expect from you in the future?

More books. I sit here today with an empty desk and little to do but I have a contract for a new manuscript to be delivered by the end of March 2014 so I will get started on that in January when I get back to London (for the first time in 2 ½ years). Then I have a play in preparation, which I haven’t written yet, and the follow up novel to Last Man in London, called Liar’s Club. That lot should keep me busy, and out of trouble, for the next year.

Keep up to date with everything this man does @: http://www.albertjack.com/

Interview with Grime star Kid Bookie

1. How long have you been in the music game? 

 

   Depends what you see as the music game, I been involved in music for ever, the game? About a couple years and I still don't see it as 'the game'

2.What artists did you grow up listening to?
 Eminem, Dot Rotten, Busta Rhymes.. Heavy metal heavier than a kick to the fucking chest.

3.If you could pick anyone dead or alive, who would you collaborate with

The Devil

and why?

Cause we could do wonderful things together 

 

4.what plans have you got for the future,

 To be as successful as fuck, law of attraction, success is a chance and string of luck away, keep grafting and ding ding, you know the rest.

And have you got any new material dropping soon?

 Evolution Part 2 featuring Samantha Mumba, Crooked I from Slaughterhouse, Kuniva from D12, Lady Leshurr, Scrufizzer & Dot Rotten  is the only single I care to push right now.
5.What was the last song you listened to?
 The sound of virgins crying themselves to sleep.

6.what advice would you tell people just starting music?

 Go through as much bullshit as you can, learn people, learn how to talk, be business minded and set out on your journey.

 

7. who do you prefer, Biggie or Tupac?

 Biggie
8. Do you believe in the Illuminati?
 Yeah, just not like everybody else would.

9.Do you feel that the scene is still on the rise?
 No, it's changing.



Follow Kid Bookie: @kidbookie

Question Time With Levi Roots

I, like many others around the country have fallen in love with the tasty sauce called “Reggae Reggae Sauce”. I decided to email Levi and ask him a few questions about his brand; however I was not expecting a reply because obviously he is a busy man. Amazingly I did manage to get a response from the man himself:

1.       “What made you go on Dragons Den? And have you found that boost to be crucial in your career?”

“I was approached by a producer of the show who saw me at a World Food event selling the sauce. I had never seen the show but I was told by my kids that a Rasta man could never go on TV and slay no Dragons! So I did it to prove them wrong! Going on the show was crucial for my career because I met my mentor – Peter Jones. He’s been a great friend and advisor and without him, I wouldn't have got on that first rung of the ladder.”

2. “How did you gauge the heat of your sauce to maximize it’s enjoyment for your customers as traditional Jamaican pepper sauces are very spicy?”

“I've been making the sauce for years so I have tweaked it along the way. I like spicy food and I know that there’s a growing trend for it so I worked hard to find the right balance.”

2.       “How has the company grown since its launch, and what ethos do you instill within your employees?”

“The company has grown greatly in financial terms but we are a very small company with few employees. We license the brand name to top manufacturers but insist on maintaining the integrity of the brand and what we stand for. It’s important to instill trust, honesty and respect in people I work with – when working with a small number of people, that’s really important.”

3.       “What products have you got lined up in the future?”

“We have a lot of plans for the future – we’re looking to launch the sauces overseas and have a number of new products in development. My new cookbook, Grill it with Levi (published by Random House) launched on 9th May – so look out for that!”

This guy clearly cares about his brand and sees the importance in connecting with his customers.  Just a side note: if you haven’t tried any of his products than you simply must! You can probably find it online if they don’t sell it where you live.

http://www.leviroots.com/