5 Questions with
Sallie Ford & the Sound Outside

“Please don’t let Sallie Ford’s demure appearance and thick-rimmed specs fool you,” said Paste’s Ryan Bort last month in his praising review of Sallie Ford & the Sound Outside’s new album, Untamed Beast.

That same day, Jim Farber of the New York Daily News rightly affirmed that “if a middle finger had a voice, it would sound like Sallie Ford.”

The band visits the Majestic Theatre on Sunday night in support of Thao & the Get Down Stay Down, and we recently had the opportunity to ask Ford a few questions about Untamed Beast, their friends The Avett Brothers, and the band’s upcoming first visit to Wisconsin. 

Untamed Beast feels so complete and it seems to bring out what the band is really trying to accomplish. Can you tell us about the creative process for the album? How did everything come together?
“I just wanted to make an album that rocked. I took influence from all types of ‘rock’ music, anything from punk rock, surf rock, and garage rock. We worked with producers for the first time which was great and they made the record sound great!” 

Do you think your Southern background has an empowering influence over your music? How has living in Portland also shaped your music?
“My mom was a Southerner and my dad is from New England, so I’m not your typical Southerner. I suppose I enjoyed growing up in the South and I loved going to the South Carolina beaches. It’s a bummer that the South never has their own flavor of surf music. Living in Portland has exposed me to more West Coast music and I guess I’m making a hybrid of sorts.”

The Avett Brothers is one of your biggest supporters. How did you meet them and how has that relationship developed over the years?
“I met them from a friend who was also from North Carolina and living in the same apartment building as me. Seth Avett gave me great advice on how to grow our music as a business, etc. I think they are an influence because they are genuine and honest musicians.”

How was your SXSW experience earlier this month?
“Great! We played six shows in three days. I got day drunk and soaked up some rays.”

Madison is very excited to see you. Have you ever played Wisconsin?
“We have never played in Wisconsin and I’m sure looking forward to it. Bring good dance shoes for our show and have a drink or two more than you normally have. Also stick around to watch Thao & The Get Down Stay Down!”