Interview: Storm Large Returns to OC with Concert in Aliso Viejo

Sultry and spunky power-vocalist Storm Large is bringing her awesomely fierce sound back to Orange County, this time at Aliso Viejo's state-of-the-art Soka Performing Arts Center on Friday, April 1 at 8pm. She'll be joined by her band Le Bonheur to perform an eclectic mix of standard classics and familiar tunes rendered like only she can.

It was a decade ago when Storm first drew wide-spread attention as a finalist on CBS' Rock Star: Supernova, where she held her own against tough competition in an often male-dominated genre. Since then, she has developed a devoted cult following in the Portland, Oregon music scene, which later led to her debut as a guest lead vocalist with internationally-renown band Pink Martini in 2011. This prestigious invite turned her into a regular feature of their concerts, with Storm continuing to perform with them on tour both stateside and internationally---rightly expanding and diversifying her fanbase.

Besides performing in concerts both as a solo artist and with Pink Martini, Ms. Large has also acted on the stage. In 2007, she starred opposite Submissions Only's Wade McCollum in Portland Center Stage's hit regional production of CABARET, which earned her overwhelmingly positive reviews. Two years later she starred in her very own autobiographical musical memoir CRAZY ENOUGH, which played for a sold out 21-week run in Portland. That show became the basis for her 2012 Simon and Schuster-published memoir of the same name which was named Oprah's Book of the Week and later received the 2013 Oregon Book Award for Creative Nonfiction. In 2010, she also starred in the Mark Taper Forum production of Jerry Zak's HARPS AND ANGELS, which featured music by Randy Newman and co-starred Katey Sagal and Michael McKean.

In the spirit of full disclosure... for me personally, I continue to be a fan of Ms. Large's incredible vocal prowess, which began a couple of years ago at her concert at the Irvine Barclay Theatre in the Fall of 2014. As part of a local men's choral group in the OC, six of us had the honor of being invited to sing back-up vocals during part of Ms. Large's set. What a thrill it was! Not only did we witness her musical gifts in such wonderful close-proximity that most of her fans would envy, we also got to experience first-hand during rehearsal (and, of course, the actual show) her genuine sassiness that many of her fans and followers have come to love about her performances. Collaborating and harmonizing with her at that concert were moments my fellow singers and I won't soon forget.

If you haven't been to a Storm Large concert, you really should go!

So before her OC concert return this week, Ms. Large agreed to play "20 Questions" with me, BroadwayWorld LA's Michael L. Quintos where she talked about her influences, her musical theater aspirations, and why she'd like to trade places with our President for a day (or more)....

----

BWW: As someone who has heard you sing live many times, I gotta say---you have such powerful pipes! Do you have a personal routine to keep your instrument healthy and powerful at every concert?

Storm: Sadly---and foolishly---no. My best advice is to get as much sleep and clean water as possible on the road. Also, the more you sing, the better you will get to know your instrument and its limitations. I used to lose my voice A LOT in the beginning. Now I am hyper-aware of my body and how far I can push it.

Now, Storm Large is a pretty unique name! For those who don't know... Is there a story behind it? An origin story?

Super boring story. My dad had a friend nicknamed 'Stormy'...so he wanted to name me Storm if I was a girl. Had I been a Boy, my name would've been Edward.

Where did your band's name Le Bonheur come from?

France.

You seem to cross genres seamlessly with your music. How would you personally describe your musical style?

A.D.D. punk rock cabaret.

Nice! Did you know early on at a young age that singing and performing was something you wanted to do?

Definitely, yes. I realized very early that my voice was strong because of how grownups reacted to it. When you're little, and realize you are good at something that makes other people clap and cheer and think you're awesome....? That, and I figured I would probably never be a werewolf, so, singing was it.

Good call! Who were some of your music idols and influences growing up?

The Kinks, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, X, Suicidal Tendencies, Nina Hagen, Bad Brains, The Pixies, Public Enemy, PJ Harvey....mmmmm there are more, but it's early.

So, many of your fans also know you from your work with Pink Martini. What's it like performing with them?

Amazing. I can't believe they have me front the band at all...they are an incredible group of people and fabulous musicians.

What music do you yourself enjoy listening to nowadays? Any current favorites?

I'm all over the place, but...Rhianna, Macklemore, AWOLNation, Neko Case, and all the bands I mentioned before plus The Stones, and TRex.

I hear you've starred in a few musicals, too---which, of course, we love hearing here at BWW! Any desire to go back to that kind of performance art?

YES! I have to write another one, though, myself, because all the offers I get are to be in 80s movies turned into musicals. Unless somebody does "Rock N Roll High School"...THE MUSICAL! And I play the PJ Soles part!

Let's put that out into the universe! Is there another dream role in a musical you'd like to also tackle one day perhaps?

I got to play Sally Bowles in CABARET, which was pretty rad... Surrounded by ridiculously hot, half-naked people night after night. My dream role has always been Judas in JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR. He has the best songs....and it would put a rad slant on the love between J.C. and Jude... and the betrayal sprung from jealousy... hotness!

Awesome! Okay, let's do a quick LIGHTNING ROUND! Just give me the first thing that pops into your head! First question... do you have any pre-show rituals that you do before a performance?

Pee.

Ha! So which actor would you want to play YOU in the bio-pic/musical of YOUR life?

Dolph Lundgren.

Fun! Okay, what's the song you love belting full-out in the shower or when you're all alone in the car?

I actually don't ever do either because I get to do it for real.

Of course! So what scares you the most?

Hatred.

What is your guilty pleasure that you're willing to admit (on print)?

Porn.

Biggest pet peeve?

Ignorance.

What instantly puts a smile on your face?

Gratitude.

If you could trade lives with any one person for one day, who would that person be and why?

President Obama. I would kick over tables, tell people to shut the f up, regulate the banks, arrest all those financial crisis profiteers, set the DOJ after the assholes who are limiting polling places, trying to suppress votes...um, damn...only one day?

So, if you weren't an entertainer, what other career do you see yourself doing?

Politics or hospice.

And lastly, what can audiences expect in your new concert in the OC at the Soka Performing Arts Center on April 1?

"Total Eclipse Of The Heart." GET YOUR LIGHTER (apps) READY!

Follow Contributing Editor Michael L. Quintos on Twitter: @cre8iveMLQ

Photos of Storm Large by Laura Domela.

-----

Storm Large and her band, Le Bonheur will perform in concert at the Soka Performing Arts Center in Aliso Viejo, CA on April 1 at 8pm. Tickets available at 949-480-4278 or online at soka.edu. Visit Storm Large online at stormlarge.com for tour dates and more info!