Hi Mary, How the devil are you today. Where are you and what's the view like?
I am devilishly well today, actually, here in upstate New York where I live. We're having an uncommonly mild winter this year, which is, believe it or not, a bit dull. I like the beauty and drama of snowstorms and icicles.
How does ‘BurnBabyBurn’ compare to your other albums to date, from your perspective and where did the title come from?
Well, this is my tenth album, and there has been, for me, quite a bit of variety amongst all of the previous ones. But I suppose that if I had to pick one or two things that set "BBB" apart from the rest of the oeuvre (if you will), it might be that I left the arrangements more open and minimal than I had in previous projects, with no set template for all the songs. I hope and intend for this record to present a step into the future for me, perhaps a free-er future musically and creatively and personally, so this attitude fed into the production approach and also into the title, which to me expresses a cavalier way of saying, "don't look back" and also "let's have fun, friends," as referenced by the 1970's dance classic "Disco Inferno." Life is short.
It’s a long-time since from the days of ‘Madder Rose’, how would you describe your outlook then (being in MR) and now (with The Soubrettes) ?
In Madder Rose I was a much greener person, easily influenced, fearful of opinions, annoyed at having so many pressures. I had wanted to be a musician forever but I had anticipated only the creative parts and not the rest of it; my confidence was low, my skills less developed, and my understanding of the overall undertaking was limited. Now I have done this a bunch of times and know what I'm about. As I've reached each personal goal, I have the fun of setting new goals I know I can reach. Back then I lived in mortal fear of singing a bad note, but this year I'm scoring two films, writing new songs which have more of a return-to-rock feel, and writing a play and a television show, translating a different new batch of original pop songs into French. I am not afraid of my limits now--now I find them amusing and challenging.
How did you come to choose music as a career and were there other options seriously considered, way back when?
I have had a set of equally passionate, difficult to reach ambitions my whole life, and to some extent I've been ping-ponged between them all by the whims of opportunity. As a child I wanted nothing more than to be an actress, and I did a lot of amateur acting through my school years. I was studying film in college and just beginning to write music when I had a melanoma in my left eye and lost the vision in it. My best friend said, "Maybe this is a sign that you should pursue music." I didn't immediately change all my plans then, but as I pursued both film and music, the music efforts were the ones that "took." Ultimately I intend for my professional life to be a hybrid of music and various forms of writing. By day I am a high school English teacher, which allows me the amazing privilege of exploring many different kinds of literature and aspects of culture, and I love that! The students and the material keep me constantly inspired. I'm writing two dramatic pieces right now, a play with music about a crazy vaudeville diva, and a television series set in 1980's Boston, called "Old School" and set in the incredibly creative art-rock scene of the time.
Has your home Cities / Towns or something else, influenced your music and songwriting on this particular album?
These songs are almost all about imagined settings or taken from fragmented memories which could have taken place anywhere. If there's a sense of place at all in this album, I'd have to say that it's the You Ess of Ayyy. I am commenting on some of the weirdness of American life...
What is your preference, the Concert Hall, Festival Stage or the Studio?
All of them! Bring 'em on!
What has been the biggest positive change to the music industry during your career so far?
I'd have to say the accessibility and ease of recording, though I think that might be a mixed blessing. I don't like that half-assed singers can just plug their tracks into Auto-Tune. People should just learn how to sing; it's not like its rocket science.
Is there one piece of advice you would like to give to new artists starting out today?
Just: stay curious and have fun without being self-destructive.
What were your favourite albums and books of 2011?
Favorite albums: I've been mostly listening to old music for the past few years, as my son re-discovers our attic vinyl. I spent a lot of time with "Harry Belafonte Live at Carnegie Hall" from 1959. I liked the Feist record, and the Gillian Welch record too. I also explored a lot of old jazz, Mingus and Bill Evans, and any Glenn Gould recording I could find.
Favorite book: Lydia Davis' translation of "Madame Bovary" and "Bossypants" by Tina Fey
Any U.K. shows planned for next year?
Not yet, but I'm working on that.
Website: BurnBabyBurn is released on 13th February 2012