A childhood in which she constantly moved helped prepare Midwestern singer/songwriter Liz Snavely for the itinerant life of a musician. "I love to travel," said Snavely, "so that part is easy." Wiry and hyper, Snavely makes it all look easy, from teaching herself to play guitar to finding the ideal venue to jamming with the likes of Melissa Ferrick. Just a few hours before a recent Chicago performance with the 4 Women Only Showcase, Snavely grabbed a coffee in Andersonville, and talked with Windy City Times about her favorite tour stops and why she loves Eminem.
Windy City Times: You're a self-taught musician. How did you learn to play?
Liz Snavely: I got a guitar like 21 years ago that I would pick up every once in a while, but I was very much attention deficit disorder, undiagnosed, but I'm sure that's what it was. So, I didn't have the patience, until about six years ago, when I started playing more. I got a book on chords and learned how to pick a little more intricately rather than playing intricate chords, because that's what worked for me. I already had words cause I'm a poet, so eventually, I just kind of put words to music.
WCT: How long have you been writing poetry?
LS: Since I was old enough to write. I started off with little limericks, no I don't have any memorized, but I'm sure they were silly.
WCT: How do you go from writing poetry to songs?
LS: I consider myself a folk rapper. I don't rap whatsoever, but my words have that sort of flow like a rapper would in a song. Eminem is one of my favorites. His words flow really intricately, just like a poem. From there I try to find the grove.
WCT: Do you write every day?
LS: As dangerous as it may sound, I write when I'm driving, [ which is ] better than texting, I guess. I always have a notepad down to the side and thoughts come to me and I write them down. I don't write every day, but I think every day, I live every day—and that's part of the writing process.
WCT: You've played with some folk favorites, [ such as ] Pamela Means and the like. Any standout performing experiences?
LS: One of my best states is Utah, which is funny, but there's actually a large lesbian population there. I played with Melissa Ferrick and Edie Carey at The Women's Redrock Music Festival. I love doing festivals: The more people, the less nervous I am. Like, if I sit around in my living room and play for friends, I want to vomit—but get me in front of hundreds of thousands, my nerves go away.
WCT: Why?
LS: It's not as intimate. Even though I'm putting myself out there, it's still more revealing in a small room where you know everyone is paying attention. I play a lot of small shows, but I don't enjoy it nearly as much.
WCT: How do you deal with stage fright?
LS: I work through it every day. I'm terrified right now, but it's not a bad thing. I always tell people, you're nervous because you give a crap. I have a lot of anxiety issues. I can't change that, but I can't let it consume me. Since the music came along, I deal with my anxiety better, because I'm forced to calm myself down.
WCT: When did you start playing full-time?
LS: About three and a half years ago. To make my music happen, I move around a lot. I just moved from Grand Rapids to Louisville two days ago. I'll live in Louisville for three or four months, help some friends refinish their attic, live there for a while, and then move onto the next place.
WCT: What are your long-term career goals?
LS: I always want to tour in some capacity, but my ultimate goal is to write for film and TV. I've done that already for this independent film, Fagbug, which is out all over the country and might be on Logo TV soon. I've got three songs in it, including the main song, which I wrote specifically for the film.
WCT: How is writing for film different than writing for yourself?
LS: When you're writing for someone else, you're kind of doing an assignment. For the movie, it was "Hey, this is going to be about hate crimes against gays and lesbians, go read all these blogs and learn about the story and write a song about it." It's an opportunity to really shine, put out your best stuff. Whereas normally, I just write if I'm inspired. I don't like to be forced but, at the same time, I do like writing for movies; I like the challenge. And they end up being some of my best songs.
WCT: How did you become involved with the 4 Women Only showcase?
LS: I try to book Uncommon Ground a couple times a year, so I was on the Web site, saw Kat Fitzgerald was hosting the series and wrote her. I'm always researching, trying to find venues that are good for my kind of music.
WCT: What can we expect from the show?
LS: The same four women every Wednesday in October, playing half an hour apiece. If you want to get up and accompany someone else or vice versa, there's a chance. Usually by the last couple of shows you're all playing together—a good challenge for me because I don't normally accompany people.
WCT: Any favorite Chicago venues?
LS: I had a great time when I played at T's Bar here. And I love Uncommon Ground; it's a great acoustic venue as long as you don't schedule yourself when the Cubs are playing!
Liz Snavely plays every Wednesday in October at The 4 Women Only Showcase at Uncommon Ground, 1401 W. Devon. For more information on the shows, visit www.uncommonground.com/pages/calendar/52.php. To learn more about Liz, visit www.myspace.com/lizsnavely.
