At 26, Marla Sokoloff already has over a decade of Hollywood success under her belt - having appeared in several television shows and feature films including "Full House", "Big Day",  Dude, Where's My Car and Sugar & Spice. 
     What many people don't know, is that Marla was a singer before she was an actress.  She picked up guitar at 12 and there's been no separating them since.  As a teenager Marla joined up with fellow musician Mike Levy and started the band Smittin.  Though Smittin broke up a while back, Marla is still going strong writing and recording solo projects.  Her 2006 album, Grateful, has been given rave reviews by listeners around the country and will soon be (if it's not already) inhabiting an iPod near you.
     With an incredible voice, captivating lyrics and impressive guitar skills;  Marla Sokoloff is everything you could want in a singer-songwriter.  But you don't have to take my word for it; just have a listen:)  07/18/2007 



_________About Acting:

You’ve been acting since you were very young, how did you get started in the business?

Marla:  I grew up in Northern California and got involved in a theatre group. I fell in love with acting and knew that was what I was going to do with the rest of my life.
 
Was it difficult to be working at such a young age?  Do you feel like you missed out on anything?

M:  Not really. It was really important to my parents that I lived a normal life, so they kept me in school. I went to prom and did all that stuff so I don’t feel like I got cheated or anything.

What do you think about the supposed “curse” that tends to fall on child actors and actresses as they try to transition into adult actors?  Was it difficult for you?

M:  I never really thought about it. I was lucky enough to get the Practice when I was 17 so it carried me into my early 20’s.

Do you keep in touch with anyone from past works?

M:  I do actually!

Dude, Where’s My Car is one of my favorite films that you’ve been in because it was so funny!  Was it as fun to film as it was to watch?  Did you all get along really well?

M:  Yes we had a ball filming that movie. It was a really fun shoot.
 
“Big Day” was your latest television venture and though it only aired for one season, it gained quite the following!  Many people were disappointed that it was taken off the air; were you as disappointed in it’s disappearance as your fans were?  Was it fun to have a leading role in a comedic sitcom?

M:  I was very sad when that show got cancelled.  It was BY FAR my favorite job to date. I loved everyone and the show/role. It was a bitter pill when it got cancelled. That being said, I feel very lucky to have had that opportunity.

One of the things that I really like and admire about you is that you’re not into the whole “80lbs with oversized sunglasses” thing; how do you keep yourself grounded when your surrounded by such a superficial business?

M:  It’s not easy. I have been asked to lose weight for jobs and it is the worst feeling in the world. I have definitely felt the pull but I’m never going to be a toothpick! I have hips and boobs and everyday I struggle to embrace my body and not compare myself to all the girls around me. I work out 6 days a week and try to be healthy.
 
Do you have any upcoming projects?  

M:  Not at the moment but there are a few project brewing.  I’m using this time to write my next record.

_________About Being a Singer-Songwriter:

When did you originally become interested in being a serious musician?

M:  I actually was a singer before I became an actress. I have always written songs and played in bands but it wasn’t until I was about 16 that I started letting people know this.

I read that you bought your first guitar at a pawn shop, and later got a more expensive one.  How old were you when you bought that first one and what made you choose the guitar over any other instrument?

M:  I was 12. I was obsessed with Joni Mitchell and since she played a guitar, I had to as well:)

Now you have a collection of guitars (your Rickenbacker is awesome!) – which is your favorite to play?  Which do you commonly write with?  

M:  My favorite and the one I write with is my Taylor acoustic. It is the best sounding guitar I’ve ever played.
 
What kinds of things inspire you to write?  And what’s the process?
 
M:  Anything can inspire a song. I always wonder where they come from! Sometimes it’s something that is going on in my life or something someone will say that will spark an idea. I normally write my lyrics first, then the music.
 
Is it therapeutic for you to write music?  A few of your songs are pretty candid about your break-up with a long-time boyfriend; when you sing about him do you feel like your over it in some ways or do you feel like there’s always a knot in your stomach when you sing about it?

M:  It’s very therapeutic and I feel like most of those songs (writing them at least) helped me get through said breakup.  It gave me something to do besides cry!!

When I sing the songs now there is obviously a connection but it’s not necessarily about the person I initially wrote the song about. The cool thing about music is that it means something different to everyone. Even the writer.

Where do you go for inspiration or to just get away from it all?

M:  I love to hike with my dog. That’s always calming BUT my best ideas come to me when I’m sleeping. I have no idea why and I’m completely fascinated by it- but I often wake up in the middle of the night to write down ideas. For example, when I first started my guitar strap line it was called Rock My World, but for some reason I woke up in the middle of the night with the idea of Kiss My Axe. Way better name!

You’ve been in front of the camera for years, how different is it to play music on stage as opposed to acting?  Do you ever get nervous?

M:  I do! But it’s good nerves. Mainly it’s when I’m playing a new song for the first time. I’m always freaked out that no one will like it!

Who are some of your favorite musicians?

M:  Joni Mitchell, Aimee Mann, Fiona Apple, Sheryl Crow, Stevie Nicks, Elliot Smith, Led Zeppelin, Silverchair... I could go on forever!
 
Any chance we’ll see a sophomore album from you in the near future?

M:  Writing it as we speak.

When she's not on set or on stage, Marla designs and creates guitar straps for her custom line called KISS MY AXE.  Her creations have been worn by several well-known singers and continue to gain popularity.  Here's what she had to say about them...

__________About Being a Sewing Songstress:


How did you get into designing the straps?

M:  I was bored one day and decided to make a strap for one of my shows. People started asking me to make them one and there you have it!
 
Do you sew the designs on yourself?

M:  Every one of them. It’s a one woman show over here. I make them in my living room.

Who are some of the well-known people that you’ve made straps for and what are some things that they liked?

M:  Sheryl Crow - Paisley Embroidery, Avril Lavigne - Skulls and Crossbones, Britney Spears - Butterflies.



Interested in buying a Kiss My Axe guitar strap?!

You can order and purchase one from Marla's website, located here!

Links:

Marla Sokoloff's Official Website:


Marla on MySpace.com: http://www.myspace.com/marlasokoloff

See Marla's biography and entire filmography on IMDb.


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