Actress-Musician Alicia Witt on Her New Album and Life in the South
Actress and musician Alicia Witt dishes on Nashville, the inspiration behind her new album, and how she keeps her creative tank full. Image: David McClister
Alicia Witt has spent much of her life moving between two creative worlds, building a celebrated on-screen career while forging an equally accomplished path as a singer, songwriter, and pianist. These days, Nashville is home, and music is at the forefront.
Her new album, Between Heaven and Earth, which comes out on August 28, is her most personal yet: a tribute to the late filmmaker David Lynch, who cast Alicia in her first role and became one of the most influential people in her life. We caught up with Alicia to talk music, living in the South, and more.
What made Nashville feel like the right place for this chapter of your life?
The best way I can describe it is that it sounds authentic when I tell people, “I live in Nashville.” There are many places in the world I love, but for this chapter — really for the last 10 years — I’ve had a strong sense I’m rooted where I belong.
When I was working on Nashville ABC in 2016, I had already spent a great deal of time here — writing, recording, performing. Those three months I experienced really living here showed me I didn’t need (or want) to be based in Los Angeles any longer. Twenty-five years there burned me out.
I felt very grateful for that chapter, but Nashville welcomed me with open arms, and I’ve never had a community like this one. I love it here.
Every project you do seems to reveal a different side of you. What part of yourself found its way into this new album?
Thank you so much for saying that, because it’s a tribute to one of the most influential people in my life. It’s unlike anything I’ve recorded. I truly feel it reflects not the David Lynch that most people know (or sense, from his work) but the very dear version of this man I knew and felt such a deep affinity with —starting at age 7, when he cast me in my first role as Alia in Dune.
He changed my life in every way a life can be changed, and I think it’s impossible to measure the influence he’s had on who I am today. With his passing, I felt compelled to channel this deep love and all he taught me about love and life into music.
This album was recorded live with very few overdubs, leaving room for imperfections and spontaneity.
What appealed to you about capturing those first instincts?
With Joe Henry at the helm as producer, it was settled from the jump that we would record this one live. It’s how he has recorded everyone from Emmy Lou Harris to Rodney Crowell, Rosanne Cash, etc. He records his own music this way, too.
There’s a one-time-only quality when you’re channeling songs with a group that’s brought together specifically to create an album … everyone at once, feeding off each other’s energies. It also forces everyone to bring their A-game, needless to say (I speak for myself!).
These arrangements came together only moments before we recorded them. As I get ready to start the album release tour … I know we will never play the songs the same way twice, and that’s thrilling. My goal is not to exactly mimic what you would hear on the record, because I know that would be futile!
You bring other people’s stories to life on screen, but songwriting allows you to tell your own. What comes through in this album?
The main difference between creating as an actor and creating as a musician is that when I’m acting, I’m playing a role. I’m throwing parts that are deeply personal into my work, but there’s a sort of safety net — I’m not actually myself. As a musician, I’m purely myself. And it means the reward is greater, too.
Putting music into the world is a magic I never get fully used to or tired of — to look into a crowd and see people singing along (or crying, or laughing), connecting with each other and my songs. That’s the greatest honor in the world to me.
What refills your creative tank?
Gardening, gardening, and more gardening! I’m an enthusiast of producing vegetables and fruit. Even during a busy year like this one, where I’ve been out of Nashville more than I’ve been in town (filming, doing international press, and recording/getting ready for the album release), my garden has remained a priority.
I found time on the couple of days I was in town between trips to spend almost the entire day out there — planting seeds and weeding, so I’d be able to reap the rewards.
Currently, my biggest mystery is whether my watermelons will develop in time to be delicious this year! I was in England for six weeks this spring and missed my crucial planting window. The cantaloupes and honeydew are perfect, though!
What’s one place in Nashville that you wish more people had on their radar?
I’m loving North Nashville at the moment, as the best place that many are perhaps yet to discover. One of my best friends recently moved there, and I’m just loving spending time there with her! But as a tried-and-true East Nashvillian, I always tell folks I meet on the road that when they come to visit Nashville, they must be sure to make it east.
It’s a cliché, but obviously, so many people think of Broadway as Nashville. Even when I have visitors staying with me, I take them to the Ryman and do a bit of a walking tour around Broadway, so they can see more of the history and less of the tourists.
What’s one thing people might be surprised to learn about you?
I have face blindness — prosopagnosia. Not only do I often not recognize very “well-known” people (let alone people I’ve met around town), but I also often don’t recognize myself in videos or photos! If my red hair is disguised (as in, a project where I wore a wig), I can look right at a photo of myself and have no idea it’s me.
You’ve lived so many different creative lives. Is there something you want to learn simply because it fascinates you?
Italian. I’m 25% Italian, and I’ve been working on learning the language on and off over the last four years. I’m determined to be conversational, and I think I might be finally on the brink! I’m to where I can pretty much make out what’s being said if it’s written.
What’s one thing you always have when you leave the house?
Luxe Lip Balm. Vegan, organic, made of only the best, most good-for-you oils. No, they don’t pay me! I’ve been using it for years. Plus, it has the most delicious natural flavors. Coconut and Chocolate are my go-tos at the moment.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
My goodness. I’ve received a lot of incredible advice. For now, I’ll quote something David Lynch told me in spirit form, in a meditation, after his passing last year: “Fill up your mind with good things, and they will come true.” I used this quote, and many others, in the final song on my record, “The Director.”
LIGHTNING ROUND!
One album you’ll never tire of? Mule Variations, by Tom Waits, and Fat City by Shawn Colvin
Favorite place to write or daydream? My own backyard
Last book you couldn’t put down? Lamb – The Gospel according to Biff, by Christopher Moore
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Jenna von Oy Bratcher
Jenna von Oy Bratcher is StyleBlueprint's Editorial Operations Manager and Lead Content Editor. The East Coast native moved to Nashville almost two decades ago, by way of Los Angeles. She is a lover of dogs, strong coffee, traveling, and exploring the local restaurant scene bite by bite.