Altameda Talk Latest Single, Musical Memories And More
Altameda are a JUNO nominated folk-rock duo consisting of singer/songwriter Troy Snaterse, and Métis visual artist and multi-instrumentalist Erik M. Grice. Hailing from Edmonton and now based in Toronto. Troy very kindly sat down with us to talk about the new single and more:
Who is in Altameda, how did you meet and what do they play?
Altameda currently consists of myself, Troy Snaterse, and Erik Grice. But it takes on different forms depending on the circumstances. Sometimes duo, sometimes solo, sometimes a full band arrangement. Erik and I met many years ago playing in local bands in our hometown of Edmonton.
What is your earliest musical memory?
My grandpa passed away before I was born, but I was always told that he was a massive Frank Sinatra fan — my mom was named after Nancy Sinatra. We had his collection of old LP’s and so I would listen to a ton of Frank Sinatra when I was younger. Perhaps it made me feel closer to him in some way.
You have your new single ‘What Good Am I?’ featuring Frazey Ford out now. What was the inspiration/story behind the track?
The song is a meditation on a fairly simple question— what good am I? To the world, to my friends, and loved ones. This is something everyone has asked themselves, and continues to ask themselves throughout their lives. This just felt like my way of addressing that.
How did the collaboration with Frazey Ford arise?
We felt that the song could work as a duet, and a few different names were thrown around. Frazey Ford was one that felt like it would be perfect, being that we are fans of her work. We didn’t know her personally, so it felt a bit pie in the sky. I had a very pleasant conversation with her on the phone about it, and thankfully, she was gracious enough to agree.
Where did you record the single and who produced it?
We recorded it in Toronto with our friend Thom D’arcy at his studio Taurus Recording.
Do you have any interesting, funny or memorable stories from the track’s recording sessions?
Not particularly funny, but we had a lot of great players contribute to the song. It was a treat to watch them play in the studio, specifically out friend Jimmy Bowskill from the band Blue Rodeo, who played an amazing jazz guitar solo at the end. He is such a talent, that even watching him play always feels like a privilege, let alone having him play on our records.
Do you use any particular instruments, microphones, recording equipment to help you get a particular sound/tone for the single?
Thom uses a lot of analog equipment, which makes for a warm sound that we think lends itself to making the records sound timeless. No specific gear comes to mind, but certainly no shortage of quality gear to choose from at his space.
Which of your tracks hear you at your a) happiest, b) angriest and c) most reflective?
Happy is a tough one with our catalog. I certainly feel a lot of joy performing music, but I’m not sure any of the songs would lyrically give you that indication. Angriest— we have a song called Wish Upon The Weather from an older record that I’d say is particularly “pissed-off”. I would say this newest single is fairly self-reflective.
Was it a difficult song to write?
I don’t remember it being difficult to write. Usually if a song feels like it’s difficult to write, it never ends up being completed. The best songs tend to feel as though they write themselves, and I recall this one coming together quite effortlessly.
What two things do you hope to have achieved once you have left the stage?
I hope that we have affected the audience in some way, and I hope that they feel moved enough to listen to the records, and hopefully continue coming to see us live.
Do you have any favoured stage instruments, effects, pedals, microphones etc?
I’m a fairly meat and potatoes player when it comes to gear. I like a nice Fender tube amp, and my Rickenbacker 330. Very few pedals, but a carbon copy digital delay always helps colour the tone. Acoustically I have a vintage dreadnaught Guild that has served me very well.
Where is your hometown and could you please describe it in five words?
We are originally from Edmonton, Alberta. Which is in the prairies on the western side of Canada.
How do you look after your voice?
Not as well as we should.
Do you have anymore new music planned for 2025?
We have a lot of new music recorded. A full length, and another EP, as well as a handful of additional songs. Hoping to keep releasing new music consistently over the next couple of years with what we’ve currently got in the chamber.
You are given the opportunity to write the score for a film adaptation of a novel that you enjoy. Which novel is it and why?
Probably some kind of Sam Shepard short story. I find his writing very evocative, and he captures americana like very few other people.
Who are some of your musical influences? Do you have any recommendations?
A lot of the classic 60’s people are heavy influences. As far as contemporaries, I really admire Cass McCombs, as well as Michael Nau.
Do you have any live dates planned in the UK/Europe in 2025?
I will be back in the UK in April, supporting the band Toploader for an extensive UK run.
What makes Altameda happy and what makes you unhappy?
Creating, eating good food, traveling, playing good shows all make me happy. Negative energy, negative self-talk, being broke all make me unhappy.
Feature Image Photo Credit: Supplied By Artist’s Website
Altameda’s latest single ‘What Good Am I?’ featuring Frazey Ford is out now.
Listen/Stream/Download here: https://altameda.lnk.to/Good
For more information visit their official website here: https://www.altameda.net/
