Photo credit: Ethan Covey
Tell us about your tour vehicle. Any notable breakdown stories?
Any old rental car pretty much. Not breaking down is one of their big advantages.
How do you eat cheaply and/or healthy while on tour?
If I know I’m going to be in a food desert, I find a Whole Foods or Trader Joe’s and stock up on fruit and vegetables. It’s not very sociable to hole up in your hotel room eating carrot sticks, but needs must.
How many strings do you break in a typical year? How much does it cost to replace them?
I think zero most years. All the money I save on strings goes to the fruit and vegetable fund.
Where do you rehearse?
My living room, and sometimes my bedroom. I am not at liberty to divulge any goings on there.
What was the title and a sample lyric from the first song that you wrote?
“Brink Of Love”.
“I liked it better when you lied
You were more to the point”
I’ve chosen the only good lines from the song there. The rest is pretty, but a little banal.
Describe your first gig.
JFP, at Bedales school. Standing for “Jazz, Folk & Poetry”, it was the once a term concert for student performers. I think we did mostly blues rock covers. I sang everything about an octave too low. Safe to say I had not found my voice. We had an ace guitarist who pretty much carried the band. Thank you Simon Reed!
What was your last day job? What was your favorite day job?
The last day job I had was as a receptionist at a hair salon in Santa Monica, CA. Over 25 years ago. It was great fun.
How has your music-related income changed over the past 5-10 years? What do you expect it to look like 5-10 years from now?
I try not to think about that. Musician’s income is paltry across the board these days. Except for the very top who are already rich. The end of royalties has been a disaster for most of us.
What one thing do you know now that you had wished you knew when you started your career in music?
That people would stop paying for music, and I should learn a trade like my Nan said!