Lovebettie
Lead singer Alexandra Naples
I insist you watch the following music video. Listen. Just listen to lead singer Alexandra Naples’ outstanding vocals, a resonating, rich contralto. Also, soak in her stage presence, which pulls you in to her personal musical universe of fun. Here is “Stranger”:
Stunning, right? Naples’ remarkable voice is as lovely as her smile and personality. A radiant woman, she was an immense pleasure to talk to, as were her incredibly warm and kind band mates: guitarist C.T. Fields (also Naples’ husband), bassist Nick Quinn, and drummer Larry Shotter.
Larry Shotter
In 2013, Lovebettie released their album Rise to critical acclaim, and were recently named “Band to Watch” by Rolling Stone. The success from this album is largely due to the insane dedication of the band. Endlessly touring, they have logged only three studio days in the last three months.
“We’re trying really hard to make time to create a new [album],” says Naples. “That’s our goal this winter, to really set aside the time.”
They already have written new songs, some of which they performed at Rocklahoma, and they are itching to perfect and record them.
Naples says the plan is to take a two or three week break from their rigorous touring schedule to sit down as a group and put together their ideas. Lovebettie is evolving, and they want their fans to have access to their music as it evolves.
“You want people to hear and understand and know where you’re at now,” Naples explains.
“We’re trying really hard to make time to create a new [album],” says Naples. “That’s our goal this winter, to really set aside the time.”
They already have written new songs, some of which they performed at Rocklahoma, and they are itching to perfect and record them.
Naples says the plan is to take a two or three week break from their rigorous touring schedule to sit down as a group and put together their ideas. Lovebettie is evolving, and they want their fans to have access to their music as it evolves.
“You want people to hear and understand and know where you’re at now,” Naples explains.
C.T. Fields
For Lovebettie, the teen years were an important part in their growth as musicians. Bassist Nick Quinn was fifteen years old when his addiction to music began.
“My grandparents used to be in a country band for about thirty years, and my grandmother taught me how to play bass,” tells Quinn. “And like Larry [drums] says, you can tell.”
Naples, during her teen years, lost her grandmother, someone she felt extremely close to.
“In my life, that was the most difficult thing I’ve ever gone through,” says Naples. “That’s actually when I started writing my own music.”
Lovebettie’s song “Are You Out There?” is written about Naples’ grandmother, and it took Naples twelve years to write the song. When she performed it at Rocklahoma, her eyes were brimming with tears, and loving memory swam in her melancholy voice.
“My grandparents used to be in a country band for about thirty years, and my grandmother taught me how to play bass,” tells Quinn. “And like Larry [drums] says, you can tell.”
Naples, during her teen years, lost her grandmother, someone she felt extremely close to.
“In my life, that was the most difficult thing I’ve ever gone through,” says Naples. “That’s actually when I started writing my own music.”
Lovebettie’s song “Are You Out There?” is written about Naples’ grandmother, and it took Naples twelve years to write the song. When she performed it at Rocklahoma, her eyes were brimming with tears, and loving memory swam in her melancholy voice.
On the way to Rocklahoma, Lovebettie’s leaf spring on their trailer broke, creating a classic tour story.
They searched desperately for a trailer place actually open on Memorial Day weekend, since they needed to arrive at the festival in time to check in and set up.
“We pass this trailer place and I see this guy…so we literally pull over on the side of the highway, and I run up this crazy cliff on the side of the highway to this trailer yard and accost this very nice man,” laughs Naples. The man kindly agreed to fix the trailer.
“The one guy that was working there was looking at me all crazy, and he said, ‘Are you in a band called Lovebettie?’ and I said, ‘Yes.’ He said, ‘I am literally freaking out right now ‘cause I just want to get out of work so I can go to Rocklahoma, and you’re on my list to see tonight! I can’t believe that I’m meeting you.’”
The entire band was overjoyed to meet their fan, and the experience reminded them of why they play music.
“When you meet people who come up to you, I almost think it’s a mistake,” laughs Naples. “[But] I like connecting with people. That’s my thing. I do this because I like connecting with people and I like getting on that basis with them, that personal level.”
In fact, for Naples, the hard part of being a musician is the getting up in front of people and performing; meeting people is the reward, the part she cherishes most.
They searched desperately for a trailer place actually open on Memorial Day weekend, since they needed to arrive at the festival in time to check in and set up.
“We pass this trailer place and I see this guy…so we literally pull over on the side of the highway, and I run up this crazy cliff on the side of the highway to this trailer yard and accost this very nice man,” laughs Naples. The man kindly agreed to fix the trailer.
“The one guy that was working there was looking at me all crazy, and he said, ‘Are you in a band called Lovebettie?’ and I said, ‘Yes.’ He said, ‘I am literally freaking out right now ‘cause I just want to get out of work so I can go to Rocklahoma, and you’re on my list to see tonight! I can’t believe that I’m meeting you.’”
The entire band was overjoyed to meet their fan, and the experience reminded them of why they play music.
“When you meet people who come up to you, I almost think it’s a mistake,” laughs Naples. “[But] I like connecting with people. That’s my thing. I do this because I like connecting with people and I like getting on that basis with them, that personal level.”
In fact, for Naples, the hard part of being a musician is the getting up in front of people and performing; meeting people is the reward, the part she cherishes most.
The weather at Rocklahoma was not kind to Lovebettie. It stormed and raged so heavily on the night they were scheduled to play, that their show was canceled! However, they did get to play at noon the following day, and they brought in a crowd to the tiny Axis Entertainment Stage! I kid you not, every single person who saw them perform dashed to the merch booth after their set to buy CDs and t-shirts, and get autographs. The energy, smile, and on-stage sexy charisma of Alexandra Naples woke up the crowd from its alcoholic stupor.
Next time they come to your area, check them out. You will thank me.
Next time they come to your area, check them out. You will thank me.
 | Zoe Adler is a music journalist from Long Beach, California. Besides her website, which is her pride and joy, she works with the GRAMMY Foundation and the Long Beach Independent. Additionally, Ms. Adler is a musician, spending half of her time playing the flute, piccolo, trombone, and marching baritone. She has been with TeenView Music since the very start and hopes to make something of it in the future. |
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