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Erin McKeown is one of the contemporary music scene's singular performers. She has released six albums, most recently the live recording Lafayette, and has embraced a number of musical genres including folk, rock, swing, jazz and Tin Pan Alley-era pop music. She is one of the artists who are most mentioned by other musicians as influences and anspirations in interviews, and her album releases always draw attention from fans and serious critics. USA Today says her work is "executed with more charm and intuition than many latter day stars have brought to traditional pop." We were happy to have the opportunity to interview her. MM: The Basics. Where are you living now? Where are you originally from? How did where you grew up inspire your music? EM: I grew up in Fredericksburg VA, a small southern town between DC and richmond... i got exposed to lots of traditional american music there, musicals, bluegrass, folk, AM radio! EM: I usually say "eclectic rock". But thats a really hard question to answer! MM: Crazy three part question. It is noted in many of your press bios that you were a part of that incredible Boston folk scene that produced so many spirited, imaginative musicians. The thing I like best about these scenes when I read about them is the sense of "Creative community." Was/is there that type of scene where artists would watch either play, and be inspired/pushed by one another? Which artists did you enjoy watching the most? Was it ever competitive? What live performers "move you"? EM: I think that phrase creative community certainly describes the scene i was part of in the late 90's. part of it is the venues, part of it is the writers. we (Rose Polenzani, Kris Delmhorst, Mark Erelli, Lori Mckenna, Jess Klein, Josh Ritter) were all about the same age and place in life, so we had a lot besides music in common. it was a great hang first and foremost, but still at that age, music was the MM: Your were an ethnomusicology major at Brown....that school has turned out a number of musicians who really appreciate music in different ways. (I believe that Jon Spencer and Duncan Sheik both studied semiotics there) What was that experience like, and how did help develop your taste in music? EM: Don't forget catie curtis, mary chapin carpenter, and a couple fabulous indie rockers too. brown was amazing, but what was even more amazing was another providence institution, AS220. I lived there for 3 of my 5 years in providence and that was the place i really went to school. MM: I love sense of playfulness in a lot of your music. Is music "fun" for you...? EM: Always! Why do it otherwise??? MM: Your albums bounce from style to style (jazz to folk to the Tin PanAlley music).... when you make albums, how conscious is the decision to have a certain style reflect in your music? Do you "set out" to make a record in a certain style, or does the music just express itself based on how you're feeling, what your listening to, etc.? EM: Well, Sing You Sinners and We Will Become Like Birds I intended to be a certain style (swing and rock, respectively), but otherwise, i have let my freak flag fly. Whatever comes to me, whatever is inspiring me at the moment, I just go with it! MM: Last time you were in Easton, you stopped by after a radio gig to a little cabaret called Chez Lafitte that one of my friends' owned. You and Kathleen Edwards were kind enough to play some songs (holiday songs?) that night, and some people remarked how comfortable you were in that setting. What do you love about playing small places, coffee shops, etc.? EM: That's amazing you remember that! That was a great night for my friendship with Kathleen, we had so much fun. I am happy to play smaller places if the audience is comfortable with themselves. In a tiny place, they are as much onstage as me! And don't get me wrong, who wouldn't want to play for 3,000 adoring fans either? MM: What is cool about being a musician in 2008? EM: The possibilities. The music business is changing fast and I feel very free to go with it however it settles. I have no commitments or deadline currently and that is a real gift! MM: You play so many instruments (mandolin, banjo, etc.)...what can we expect to see you playing at the concert? Are you self-taught on these instruments? EM: I am self-taught on anything with strings. I did take lots of piano for years. I am learning drums with the help of my partner, who is an amazing drummer. I think in Easton, you'll see me leave the drumming to Brian Wolfe, and I'll be doing some piano and guitar! FILL IN THE BLANK The best part of 2008 will be....the spring, summer, and fall. get me out of the cold! My favorite type of coffee is....peppermint tea! I am caffeine-free! Once upon a time I....took a trip to Easton and had a lovely gig. The most beautiful thing I have ever seen is....fireworks in the sky over bonaroo '04. When I think of Maryland I remember...Rehobeth Beach as a kid. Orioles games with my dad. Seafood is....delicious!
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