Alicia Healey – Seattle, WA – Singer songwriter

Band Members

Alicia Healey (vocals, acoustic guitar)

Alicia Healey is a powerful vocalist, rhythm guitarist and bass player. She performs as a solo performer, with a trio (it adds harmonica, harmony vocals and electric guitar) as well as with a full band.

She learned to sing from Barbara Streisand, Dolly Parton, Carly Simon and Olivia Newton-John and learned to write from John Prine, Gretchen Peters, James Taylor and Cat Stevens. However, performing is musical rubik’s cube.

She is also a sound mixer, sound consultant/co-ordinator, vocal and performance coach, and producer. The specialty is acoustic pop and folk; the approach is fun. In her new studio, The Winterblue Room, she has works with several local musicians on their projects. Her songwriting is featured on the CD “Quiet Here” and her new recording “Live at the Mansion.”

She spent several years with the acoustic country/folk group Rodeo Lagoon a group well-known in the Pacific Northwest for its amazing harmonies and fresh arrangements of folk and bluegrass songs. Rodeo Lagoon recorded an 7-song CD in 2001 which highlights both the lead-vocal prowess and the magical blend of the three voices.

Adrian Libertini (upright bass/vocals)

A new gift to the Pacific Northwest, Adrian comes to us from Connecticut via New York, San Diego and San Francisco. Versitile and wonderful, he has sruvived through stints in a mind-blowing New York fusion group (Helmet of Gnats), a San Diego jam band (Noodle), a San Francisco dotcom groove band (jp*orbit) an experimental cabaret ensemble (Madd Vibe Orchestra) and a parent-friendly kid’s band (Orange Sherbet).

Rachel Sage (Jacobson-Larson)(fiddle/vocals)

Rachel Jacobson-Larson is a teacher, performer and composer living in Seattle. She has shared the stage with countless musicians, including Billy Mclaughlin and Amos Lee and Linda Waterfall. Rachel has played violin in over thirty musicals in Minnesota and Washington, most recently in the experimental musical “Barley Girl” by the Stranger Genius Award winning theater group, Implied Violence. Rachel plays regularly with the Seattle groups Forget Me Nots and The Gloria Darlings. She studied violin at the University of Minnesota and Cornish College of the Arts.

Kelly Paletta (drums/percussion)

Easily one of the finest drummers in the Pacific Northwest, Kelly has played with a SLEW of people and all genres… except maybe death metal. Andrea Wittgens, Kimm McIver among many others. Here’s his bio from “Seattle Drummer” – I had to post it (although his two kids are a bit more grown):
“Kelly’s drumming addiction began in the mid seventies. At 10 years old, desperately wanting to imitate the older brother that he idolized, he signed up for Mr. Childers’ beginning band at Tonalea elementary school in Scottsdale, AZ. Not long after that the older brother was able to kick the drum habit but Kelly remains hopelessly addicted. Aside from the esteemed Mr. Childers, Kelly has also studied with: Dan Tomlinson, Gary Cook, Ted Connell, Jeff Hamilton, Alex Acuna, George Marsh, Ed Soph and Peter Erskine. He has published articles in Modern Drummer and has performed and recorded in various styles including: jazz, rock, reggae, country western and more. Kelly attended the University of Arizona on a music scholarship and was a member of the Disney All American College Band in 1986. Over the years he has performed with: Andy Narrell, Pete Christlieb, Bobby Shew, Abel and Allen Reggae Review, Riddim Fashion, Island Time Steel Drum Band, Eagle Creek Band and The Herbivores. Kelly currently resides in Newcastle, WA with a wife, a kid (and one on the way), two cats, and a mother-in-law who thinks that he is “peachy.” Kelly’s drum addiction continues. His latest fix includes hits of Gretsch, Camco, Zildjian, Paiste, Sabian, Pintech, Roland, Alesis and LP.”

Press & Reviews

Victory Music Review
Original review on Victory Music website.

Local Singer Songwriter
Alicia Healey – Live at the Mansion
(Winterblue Music)
I first met Alicia Healey at the 2007 FAR West conference in
Vancouver, WA. The various showcases were packing the rooms of
the Hilton and I was seeking some refuge in the Puget’s Sound
Productions room. Alicia was just about to start singing, so I
settled in. I didn’t know her but I’d heard her name mentioned.
I’d been learning a lot. When Alicia started singing, I learned
a lot more. I learned how a person can come alive in a
performance. I was instantly envious, but nonetheless, Alicia has
a wonderful ability to project her emotions and feelings through
her songs. I felt it that day and I feel it in “Live at the
Mansion”.

Recorded on April 29, 2006, Alicia, along with Vince
Gates performed for a small but enthusiastic audience. All of the
energy and fun is there. It’s clear that the audience and Alicia
are having a good time. There probably wasn’t enough room for a
drum kit, but I love the full band version of “Earthquake” on
Alicia’s website (www.aliciahealey.com). I would’ve loved a
better recording. Nine of the ten tracks are original. They are
solid, tight songs that reach people as individuals. The tenth,
“Jolene” by Dolly Pardon, is the sole dim spot in a great album.
It doesn’t shine with the rest of the tracks. You write better
stuff and I’m kinda fussy where covers of well known songs are
concerned, so take this with a grain of salt. Thank you, Vince
Gates, for getting this project going. It’s been about ten years
since Alicia’s last release. We’ve been waiting far too long for
this CD. Alicia, please don’t keep us waiting like that again.
(Matthew Moeller)

Seattle Gay News
posted Friday, July 24, 2009 – Volume 37 Issue 30

A Dyke About Town Seattle’s summer music pleasures
by Mercy Moosemuzzle – SGN Contributing Writer

Alicia Healy Trio

Mercy and Cuteness’ favorite act at the
Laughing Lady Café Music Festival was the Alicia Healy Trio. They
had found Alicia Healy’s solo act earlier in the week to be a
knockout. Lisa Mills’ harmonica added magic. Laurie Miller’s
electric guitar added power to the music. Both women used to play
with Swamp Mama Johnson.

The warm-up act, singer/songwriter Val D’elessio, had spunk and
skill. High points of her songs were “There Ain’t Nothing Like a
Train,” and “Home Highways and Bad Hair Days.”

Healy’s music held up well with Mercy and Cuteness, so they liked
the fact that she repeated some of their favorites, “You’ll Be
Safe Tonight” and “Waiting for the Moon.” Cuteness has been
irritated with performers who say they are going to do a country
song, but no idea what that means. Alicia’s “Another Round” is a
fine exception. Mercy was impressed with the imagery and wordplay
in Alicia’s lyrics. The band rocked out on Dolly Parton’s
“Jolene” and “Earthquake,” which is Mercy and Cuteness’ new
favorite of Healy’s songs.

Healy expressed appreciation to café owner Angela Rinaldo for her
dedication and risk-taking in inaugurating the festival. Mercy
and Cuteness agree that Angela is quite amazing, and they want
you to know she is also single and cute.

Seattle Gay News
posted Friday, July 17, 2009 – Volume 37 Issue 29

A Dyke About Town: Lots of hot summertime performances
by Mercy Moosemuzzle – SGN Contributing Writer

Mercy and Cuteness went back to the second night of the festival.
Cuteness liked how beautiful the venue was, its ambience fed by
good art. Alicia Healey warmed up the evening with a rendition of
her beautiful song, “You’ll Be Safe Tonight,” which Mercy and
Cuteness decided to add to their commitment ceremony play list:
“You’ll be safe tonight/ cause here in my arms nothing bad can
harm you/ music down low, candles flame by the open window/
You’ll be safe tonight.”

Healy’s voice was
rich and guitar playing right on. Her songs “Another Round” and
“Fly the Moon” were also high points.

Amber Darland then took the stage with her big voice and lively guitar.
Alicia Healey backed her up on vocals and various instruments.
Darland’s song “Fall Down,” about falling in love on a
motorcycle, made Mercy and Cuteness smile. “What If” and “Learn
to Bend” were pleasing love songs by Amber. “Without Blame” and
“Time for Today” were good reminders to stay present. Darland’s
“Super Eight” made Mercy and Cuteness laugh and shout “Yee-haw!”