Dulcie Younger’s debut album, Kitty, Kitty...GROWL!, hit stores last month. She recently interviewed with BellaOnline.

Was singing a hobby or is it something you've always wanted to do?
I've always wanted to be both a singer and a songwriter. When I was seven years old, I read that Mozart started composing at age five. I remember thinking, "Oh God, I'm so far behind!" I played a variety of instruments growing up --- violin, cello, piano, trumpet, African drums. I loved singing, but I was very shy about it. It took me a long time to let the desire overcome the fear of doing it.

How has your life changed since becoming a singer?
My life's grown wings in a lot of ways. I mentioned that I was shy about singing, and a lot of that stemmed from the relationship I had with my father growing up, which was not very pleasant. I had to learn that it was just as easy to listen to the positive voices as it was to fall for the negative ones that had been programmed in my head as a child. Singing is very freeing. Also, I was pursuing engineering in school when I decided to concentrate on music instead. When I was doing engineering, I don't think I knew anyone who wore matching socks.

How would you describe your music?
Kitty, Kitty...GROWL!, my first recording, has all the angst, excitement, and loneliness of rockabilly and 50's rock-and-roll, but all the breathiness and sultry tones of an old jazz vocal. A feminine vocal backed by raw male rhythm.

Tell us about your CD. Did you write any of the songs?
I wrote all the songs. I co-wrote one tune with Ryan Sagat or Rockin' Ryan and The Real Goners, who has a garage band called The Hexxers now. I call him "The King of the Savage Lyric". The last song on my record was written with a talented old guitar player and friend of mine named Julio Alfaro.

What should listeners/readers expect from you next?
Right now, I'm co-producing a compilation CD with Golly Gee Records to donate to the USO's Operation Care Package. I'm also going into the studio soon and start on my next CD. I wanted my first record to be very back-to-basics and straightforward. On my next record, I hope to bring in some more influences from the jazz and swing world and also the alternative and punk rock spheres. The first record was about being "a rose with thorns", and I'm not sure what the thread that holds together the next one is. I'm still plotting it out.

Who are some of the singers you admire?
I love Peggy Lee --- I think she had such an excellent quirky approach to her music. She recorded so many fantastic and funny songs. I've been a huge fan of both Tori Amos and Social Distortion since I was a little girl. I just bought Tori's book, and I'm only a couple pages in, but I really recommend it. Other singers like Hank Williams, Patsy Cline, Ann Margret, Connie Francis, The Big Bopper, Fabian, Johnny Cash, and Marilyn Monroe also top my list --- they brought so much to the table in so many different ways. Then there are a lot of obscure singers that never "made it" who made some fantastic recordings --- Peggy Little, Ginny Wright, people like that.

What else would you like the public to know about Dulcie Younger, the person?
I believe in following your heart.


THANK YOU Dulcie Younger for the interview. I wish you success on your debut CD and hope to hear more from you.

To listen to "Make Me Mad" from Dulcie Younger's debut album, Kitty, Kitty...GROWL!, click on the following link:
https://www.dulcieyounger.com/MakeMeMad.MP3.