Interview with Allison Cross

Partial Transcript: I started playing music when I was seven

Segment Synopsis: Allison Cross discusses how she was introduced to music as child through church. She received piano lessons and began playing the trombone in the sixth grade.

Keywords: church; music; piano; trombone

Subjects: Allison Cross; childhood; introduction to music

Partial Transcript: How did you get involved in the Louisville music scene?

Segment Synopsis: Allison Cross talks about how the Billy Goat Strut Revue became a band and the early shows they played. She also talked about their transition out of the club scene.

Keywords: big band; bourbon jazz; burlesque; jazz; Knock Bar

Subjects: Allison Cross; Billy Goat Strut Revue; Bourbon Jazz

Partial Transcript: Will you go into what Girls Rock is?

Segment Synopsis: Allison Cross talks about her role as an instructor at the Girls Rock Camp and the purpose of this annual summer camp program for gender non-conforming youth.

Keywords: gender; girls rock camp; non-conforming; race; rock; studio

Subjects: Allison Cross; Girls Rock Camp

Partial Transcript: What other projects are you involved in Louisville?

Segment Synopsis: Allison Cross talks about her experience in becoming interested in electronic music and becoming a DJ as a result.

Keywords: beat night; DJ; electronic music

Subjects: Allison Cross; Transition to electronic music

Partial Transcript: There's this festival in town called Forecastle, that happens over the summer.

Segment Synopsis: Allison Cross talks about playing at Forecastle Festival over the years. She talks about how playing at shows can be a form of affirmation for a young woman in the music scene. She also mentions the different places and shows that she has played in as she shows the camera different posters she brought to the interview.

Keywords: gender; Jazz Band; trombone; Wild Child

Subjects: Allison Cross; Forecastle Festival; Jazz Band

Partial Transcript: I was going to ask, how has race or gender played a role in your experience in the scene here?

Segment Synopsis: Cross talks about how she is lucky to be in diverse and respectful bands with a variety of people. She also mentions that there is a good platform for people of color at the Forecastle festivals. Looking outside of Louisville, Cross talks about how it is hard for her to reach out and that she is privileged in the Louisville scene..

Keywords: Alison Cross; Gender; Louisville; Race; Your Friendly Neighborhood Big Band

Subjects: Forecastle; Girls Rock; Jazz

Partial Transcript: What kind of people have you met in the scene and what kind of relationships have you made?

Segment Synopsis: Although her relationships in the scene are mostly positive, Cross addresses the lack of diversity and resources in venues and their accessibility.

Keywords: Alison Cross; Gender; Louisville; Race

Subjects: Issues; Not my Street; People; Relationships; Segregation; Theatre

Partial Transcript: I think I would be a great person to have a venue.

Segment Synopsis: Cross explains why she's sharing her short and long term goals and strives to create an inclusive venue. She expresses her frustration with the lack of resources available to people of color and issues within Louisville pertaining to segregation.

Keywords: Alison Cross; Gender; Louisville; Race; Venue; Visual Art

Subjects: Incarceration; Lack of Resources; Ownership in the Scene; Police; Segregation

Partial Transcript: "What are some of the biggest challenges you've faced as a musician?"

Segment Synopsis: Cross explains her biggest challenges to her success as musician such as fatigue, music ownership and accessibility.

Keywords: Alison Cross; Challenges; Music; Musician; Race

Subjects: Accessibiity; Competition; Injustices; Music and Capitalism

Partial Transcript: You mentioned a festival that's at the end of October, that's the Black Magick Festival?

Segment Synopsis: Cross explains the purpose and impact of the Black Magick Festival for the black community and her involvement with the festival.

Keywords: Alison Cross; Break Dancers; Disability; Festival; Graffiti; Hip-Hop; Music; Underground; Women

Subjects: Community; Copper and Kings; LGBTQIA+; Local Talent; Resources

Partial Transcript: How did it feel being nominated for Female DJ of Kentucky?

Segment Synopsis: Cross explains her reaction to her nomination for Female DJ in Kentucky and her goals for the future.

Keywords: Alison Cross; Award; DJ; Women

Subjects: Goals; Nomination for Award

Partial Transcript: What is your favorite or most memorable show?

Segment Synopsis: Cross explains her most memorable shows, Cabaret and Billy Goat Revue, and why she believes they offer insights into modern issues.

Keywords: Alison Cross; Experience; Film; Gender; Nazis; Race; Visual Arts

Subjects: Cabaret; Current Events; History