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In 1992, David Lowery of the eccentric rock band Cracker summed up many people’s disdain for folk music with the simple sentiment, “What the world needs now, is another folk singer, like I need a hole in my head.” It’s easy to understand why Lowery felt this way; nowadays the “folk” genre is often used as a catch-all for musicians who simply can’t afford to take a band out with them, and instead play their songs unaccompanied for a dwindling fan base who prefer to hear them that way. Most of the time, in an attempt to find purpose between songs, the “folk singer” will banter onstage about things that are newly near and dear to them, in an attempt to relate to their audience. Politics are fair game. So is “being green.” The awfulness of rural development, or “paving paradise”, is evoked. Sadly, however, most of the time, once the music starts being played we are unfulfilled. The goods don’t justify the bill, the heaviness of the banter falls flat because the show doesn’t fly. The touring industry is full of these folk musicians; but Catie Curtis is not one of them. MM: The basics. Where are you from, and where are you currently residing? How’s the weather there? CC: I'm from Saco, Maine, and I currently live in Newton, MA. May is the best time of year in New England. Don't talk to me about weather unless it's May. MM: Often times nowadays, musicians who are simply playing solo acoustic guitar get labeled folk singers just by the configuration of their live show. What has gotten lost in folk music? How would you define it, and do you consider yourself a “folk singer.?” CC: I have a broad definition of folk music. I think it's lyric-based music that tries to connect with the audience through authenticity-- from humor to dark pain and back to humor, generally. Usually it's played on acoustic instruments because acoustic guitars make you feel like you're in someone's home, like you've been invited in. The sing-along has gotten a bad rap. It's actually great when it works. Am I? Yes I am! MM: I am always amazed by the number of great songwriters who hail from the Northeast. We were lucky enough to have the amazing Erin McKeown play here in January, and she talked a lot about the great creative community in that particular scene. Can you explain how having so many great contemporaries up there can make you a better musician/songwriter? How competitive is it? CC: The community is sort of spread out, geographically, and maybe that helps. We are like this enormous garden and we all know there's a lot of growth, but there really is room for everyone because there are so many venues and so many different communities within the Northeast. It's great when we get to connect at a festival because in general we don't see a lot of each other. I'm sure the long horrendous winters have something to do with the good writing. MM: You have two daughters who are five and three. How is motherhood?Fantastic, thanks for asking. CC: What do you like about raising children in 2008? What is scary?Let's see, 2008, I like that my partner and I are legally married in Massachusetts, and I like the fact that our public schools make a real effort to educate about and celebrate diversity (our kids were adopted internationally). However, I'm trembling about the days when they find out all that's wrong with the world. They are still like "I found an inch worm!!!" MM: You were on the last Lilith Fair tour. What was that experience like, and how does playing on a large stage in front of so many people affect your live show? CC: Lilith was exhilerating, especially the finale that we all performed together at the end each evening, to crowds as big as 20,000. I found that the timing changes-- you have to slow down the patter and cut a lot of chit chat out. MM: You grew up playing the drums. What drummers do you appreciate it, and how has the experience of playing drums informed your songwriting? CC: Shawn Pelton (from the SNL band), Denny Fongheiser (Tracy Chapman), Billy Conway (Morphine), Shannon Forrest. I've had the honor of playing with all four of these drummers and what I love is their deep groove and fluidity. Shannon is the most versatile drummer I've ever played with. I play guitar in good "time," (I keep the beat) and some groove, and I think that's a byproduct of early years as a drummer. MM: In your opinion, how much should music and politics co-mingle? Is music still an important part of change? If so, where do you see it making a difference? CC: When music and politics co-mingle it's got to be done in a fresh way or else everyone tunes it out. People hear plenty of bad news and negativity from the media, so there's not point in rehashing those stories in song. However, if you can give people a sense of unity or hope, then it's great. MM: What album are you currently listening to a lot? What musicians do you always find yourself going back to? CC: I really love the Weepies. Their new CD Hideaway is like crack to me. I always go back to Bonnie Raitt, Lucinda Williams and Emmylou Harris. MM: What do you like about playing smaller venues like Coffee East? CC: The smaller the room, the more interaction with the audience, which I like. FILL IN THE BLANK 1) The best part of living in Maine is/was …..FERRY BEACH 2) One thing that impresses me about another musician’s live show is …THEIR ABILITY TO CONNECT 3) If I went on American Idol when I was 25 I would have ….SUNG A RICKIE LEE JONES SONG AND WON THE WHOLE THING 4) On a day off when I have no business responsibilities I like to …INVITE A BUNCH OF PEOPLE OVER 5) Coffee is ….. MY CRUTCH |
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