Paula Cole is an interesting amalgam: a Grammy-award winning singer/songwriter, producer, and activist, but despite her many contributions to the world of music, she still finds time to challenge, motivate, and above all things, live. Her chart-topping singles, “Where Have All the Cowboys Gone?” and “I Don’t Want to Wait” (aka the Dawson’s Creek theme song) made her a household name and one of the prominent voices of a generation. Her new album, “Ithaca,” is arriving on September 21st, and it tells us the story of her entering new stages of being: motherhood, separation, and finding new love.
Cherry Grrl (CG): You’re returning to a music industry that is very much changed since you left. Are you concerned about the evolving state of the industry?
Paula Cole (PC): It has always been a swirling mystery to me.
CG: What is your relationship with music?
PC: To me, music is the universal language. I probably have some mild autism, I would guess, and feel inclined to think in pictures and music before English language. Music transcends vocabulary; language barriers. I sang before I spoke. I made up songs from my cradle before I was speaking. I was blessed to be born into a musical family, where it was a living and fun form of expression. We have my dad to thank for making it so fun. So, thank you, Dad. Music is my chi. Music is the prana toward which I meditate and which heals me, teaches me. I subscribe to Eastern thinking in that being a musician is a divine responsibility.
CG: You’ve taken time off from the industry to raise your daughter. Are you more introspective or grounded now, and what brought you back to music?
PC: My daughter is smarter than me. I stand in awe sometimes. I’m so glad to be a mom, even though it robs you of many years, much ego, and looking pretty! I needed those years with my daughter, and yes, they grounded me a lot. I’m back to music because I need it in my life. To walk away from my gift brought a lot of dark problems. My “voice” is a conduit to my subconscious and that gift is a responsibility not to be taken lightly. Without being in contact with my SELF, music, other musicians and audiences, I withdrew to an atrophied place.
CG: Speaking of contacting yourself, as an artist you have taken us on so many journeys via your music. Where would you like fans to go when they’re listening to “Ithaca?”
PC: I find I’m inspired by the truly autobiographical writers like John Lennon and Joni Mitchell, who were both fearless in putting their minds, hearts, and souls into their work. They were both so courageous. As are Dolly Parton and Neil Young. My songs are just encapsulations of this life I’m living. I’m trying hard to be the best person I can be. I hope that wherever I am on my “journey,” I’ll be relevant to my audience and they’ll want to walk with me.
CG: As you begin a new journey with “Ithaca,” it should take you to some interesting places. Do you enjoy touring?
PC: Let’s be honest, do I enjoy flying every day, shlepping suitcases around to a different city again and again? Of course it’s hard. I am a nester. I love my home. I miss my daughter and my partner, his kids and my home. The logistics of moving a troubadour from town-to-town stinks. It’s that magic time on stage: riding-the-light-fantastic, tripping with the audience-energy, making healing-love (am I a hippie or what?!), bringing tears, elevating, elevating, elevating. That’s what makes it all worthwhile. (continued on next page)
