by
Lindsey Harnish

This is the third article in a five part series featuring five platinum blond Detroiters, who stand out in a crowd for their original talent, diverse creativity, and daring to be distinctive. Each week, Lindsey Harnish will catch up with a new one. This week she features photographer and musician Alicia Gbur of the Nice Devic. In the coming weeks, look for author Lee Runchey and punk rocker Queen Bee to get their thoughts on their artistry, their city and their ever so distinctive hair color. In the previous weeks she caught up with journalist/burlesque dancer Sparkly Devil and multimedia artist Mare Costello.

Alicia Gbur fronts the Nice Device, a synth-pop band spiked with flashes of robust rock. In the band, Alicia sings, plays guitar and writes songs along with her band. The group is getting ready to release their first full length album this spring and embark on a west coast tour. They've already licensed tracks from their new record for a Disney Movie and for a Documentary called "Racer Girls" filmed in London about women's illegal street car racing. She also left her career in commercial photography to create more photography as art. Alicia does this through her studio, Natural Light Photography where she composes calm, quirky portraits infused with nostalgia and summertime.

LH: How do you juggle it all—the music, the photography, the groceries?
Alicia: It has and will always be somewhat a struggle to split the two. They are both obsessions for me. I always end up getting manically involved in one or the other and it becomes all encompassing. But if you love something, you find the time and it just happens. Sometimes you look back and wonder “how the hell did I get here!” As far as the groceries, my theory – buy fresh!

How and when did you get started in music?
If we want to get technical, I would say as a child. Both my parents were music teachers. So I played instruments all through my school years. As far as with my band The Nice Device, I taught myself how to play guitar and we have been around for a little more than 4 years doing what bands do, becoming shadows in the nightlife.

What are the most exciting things about your work?
Well, I guess that would really mean what I’m calling work today! Besides doing my photography and my band, I also book a rock club. But if we were simply referring to my photography – I would have to say that when I am a shooting portrait, kids or otherwise - you have to move quickly and honestly don’t have much time to “compose” a shot. You are forced to shoot with your third eye so to speak. I get really excited when I get the film back and I can see I’ve have captured. With music, it’s always great when you get to hear the final product recorded.

What has been one of the greatest challenges of your work?
I would say the challenge is in keeping up with the demands of technology and the demand for instant results. I prefer to use film but have recently made the jump to digital especially for commercial work. As for my band – the greatest challenge is to be heard! We are currently working on licensing our songs for commercial use and looking for a label to put out our new record.

What is one of the boldest things you’ve had to do to make one of your projects happen?
I flew to LA to meet with the Vice President of Maverick Records a few years ago – it was a joint trip to discuss our current material and at the same time I was meeting a musician out there – who was ironically from Detroit. We were going co-write a song or two and meet up with a producer friend of his. (Big name guy who is also from Detroit) This guy who shall remain nameless was also supposed to provide me with a place to stay and a ride to Maverick Studios etc. for my meeting. Long story short, he ended up being a real creep, tried to put the moves on me and when I refused him he left me stranded in LA, no shelter, no car and nowhere to go. I bought a map, hoofed it to Maverick and spent the rest of the trip adventuring in California, my guitar and I. I did get a good song out of it though!

Ten or twenty years ago, where did you imagine yourself being?
I am one of those people who like to fly by the seat of my pants more or less – some may call it living in denial. I just try not to think about that stuff too much. I try and do things that make me happy and do things that challenge me. Life is too short to only think about survival. I do admit though I did just make a list of my top 5 goals.

What’s one song that you will never cover?
I think I would try anything for kicks.

Who are some of your greatest influences?
My grandmother, she was an incredibly strong and funny woman.

Tell me about a time when you bombed?
I think you can always walk away from any experience having learned something, or at the very least getting a good laugh at yourself. Hmmm let’s see…maybe not getting the part of Annie the musical at an audition when I was six. Huh. Maybe that’s why I’m really not that into musicals!

What other special talents are you hiding?
I make a mean salad.

What are some of the ways that Detroit has affected your life and career?
Having great teachers, meeting great fellow musicians and artists. It’s a small city and the people you meet and connect with end of being like family outside of your family. In fact I think I see them more than my family! You can always count on running into someone you know. It’s like Cheers!

Why Detroit?
Not to sound cliché but there is something about living in Detroit that makes you keep your shit real.

How does the city inspire you?
I think it’s the people in my life that inspire me. My friends and family and of course there is a plethora of great talent in this city. It’s almost hard to keep up with it.

What would you say are the best things about Detroit?
The music without a doubt.

Where’s your favorite place to get dinner in the Detroit area?
Union Street.

If you wanted to have a rockin’ night on the town, where would you go?
It depends on where the action is that night. But If I wanted to go hang out – it would probably be the Lager House. I do miss the Gold Dollar though.

Who are some of your favorite Detroit talents?
Honestly, there have been so many the list is terribly long. I think I have more local CD’s in my car than national most times.

Where’s your favorite place to perform in the Detroit area?
I think that is individual to the show. We have had many great shows around town. One of my favorites was with Hot Hot Heat at St. Andrews.

What’s your level of commitment to your hair?
My friends will tell you not much! It really depends what mood I’m in. A cut and highlights every 2 months at best. A good brushing every other day. Just kidding.

What’s one of the worst things you’ve done to your hair?
Chopped it too short on the sides. I ended up looked like Ron Wood. Gotta luv the mullet.

What’s the best part about being a blond? And the worst part?
The best is … well being blonde! The worst part – being compared to every obvious blonde girl rocker.

Okay, I’ve gotta ask—do you know any cute blond jokes?
I am the cute blonde joke.

What is your motto?
“It’s who I am”

What would you tell other people who want to do what you do?
Be true to yourself.

And finally, what’s next?
Well… I really miss having a dog. That or a tour of the UK!

Catch Alicia and the Nice Device for their cd release party on June 2nd at the Magic Bag!

For more on Alicia's projects check out:
Natural Light Photography and The Nice Device.

Color photo by Ken Music

Check back next week for an interview with author Lee Runchey!

Lindsey Harnish is a recovering English major and former Library Assistant. On very good days, she’s working on her novel or finishing up a painting. She has been published in The Huron River Review of Washtenaw Community College and is an Associate Editor for The Communiqué Journal (http://www.communiquejournal.org/). She lives in Ferndale with her husband, two house rabbits and a partially bald cat.