Deborah Holland – The Animal Logic

1. How did you start your music career?

I started pursuing music as a teenager but it took AL to allow me to have an actual career

2. How did you join the band Animal Logic in 1987?

It’s an old story by now-

Stewart and Stanley decided to form a band and wanted a female front person. A publisher who worked with The Police, Dan Howell, gave them a tape of 2 of my songs (Spy in the House of Love and Firing Up the Sunset Gun). I auditioned and 2 weeks later was singing in front of 8000 people in Brazil!

3. You have recorded the wonderful track “Come To Me” for the “Fright Night 2” Soundtrack. Did you compose it, and do you have any plans to re-issue it as a single?

I wish I wrote it! No, it was written by Brad Fiedel the film’s composer. Unfortunately the master was lost. I have a copy(low-res)  as a free download on my website because I get so many requests.

www.deborahholland.net

4. What was the experience collaborating with Stewart Copeland (The Police) and jazz bassist Stanley Clarke?

It was, and continues to be, amazing. To play with 2 musicians of their caliber is a dream come true. The fact that they are both great humans is icing on the cake.

5. Animal Logic’s previous work following a pop-oriented sound, how did you manage to combine the influences and ideas of the members under this Pop umbrella?

The band’s sound has always been a combination of my songs and their playing. Through we may fall into the “pop” genre, if you really examine my songs they are all over the map genre-wise. Even the 2 new songs we are releasing “Ordinary” is a rock song and “Can You Tell Me” is a bossa nova. When the band performed live the songs took on another dimension which was improvisation.

6. Why did the band break up shortly after the release of “Animal Logic II”?

Stanley was just beginning a very successful career as a film composer. The band did not have the kind of financial success that was hoped for. It would’ve taken a lot more time out on the road (not making money) to get to the next level and the desire wasn’t strong enough to continue

7. You have recorded new material with Animal Logic; please tell us the details behind your new musical effort.

The band got together before the pandemic and started to record an EP. Obviously it  wasn’t possible to finish it so I decided to complete the songs on my own in Vancouver. 3 of the songs ended up on a solo record I released March, 2020 called Fine, Thank You! with Stewart on drums. The other 2 had both Stanley and Stewart so we decided to release those as Animal Logic. The tracks were in really good shape and only needed a few overdubs to finish.

8. Do you have plans to tour as well for your new music?

AL has no plans to tour at this point. Stewart and Stanley have commitments way into the future but you never know! In the meantime the songs can be purchased at https://animallogic1.bandcamp.com/

9. How have your other two collaborators reacted to the final audio result of your new music?

They had input and approval at every step so they’re both happy with the result.

10. What about your next music plans?

I’m writing songs for a new solo record and finishing up a record with the folk-Americana trio, The Refugees (with Wendy Waldman and Cidny Bullens) We have shows in LA and Kansas early 2023 and are own the process of booking summer shows as well. www.therefugeesmusic.com

Bandcamp: https://animallogic1.bandcamp.com/