Singer, songwriter, political activist, and all round task manager has her new album out on July 27th, Don't Tell is released on her own Howlin` Hound label. Along with producers Chuck Prophet and Simon Alpin, Kathleen has made an album of immense weight, warmth and searing honesty.
Prophet and Alpin have woken the guilty preacher, smoked his last cigarette and served him up a condemned man's breakfast whilst Kathleen`s songs challenge his congregation. These two men have produced an album of casual brilliance, letting the songs rise in the swirling swell of 21st century uncertainty. Kathleen is a sussed and culturally aware musician who passionately believes in the healing capacity of music, people power, and that the personal is most definitely political. We got together to chew over music, life, and the family tree.
You have lived a varied and interesting life Kathleen. Looking at your bio on your website, what came first for you, music or politics?
Definitely music. My dad was a singin’ in the shower kind of guy. He has a beautiful voice and was into Tommy Wolfe and Fran Landesman's 'Spring Can Really Hang You Up The Most' type jazz. I was in school and church choirs from a very young age. An alto age 10!
Tell me something about your political awareness. How did your bullshit detector antenna know where to home in?
If activism can be genetic then it may have always been there laying dormant until it was lit up at 14 by my high school history teacher, Paula Ogren. Her mantra was “apathy is a sin”! and if you have the right to vote in what purports to be a democratic society then it is practically criminal to not exercise that right. And if you are a woman, even more negligent and a minority woman, well, you get the gist.
Who would you namecheck as inspirations to your music?
My dad, The Beatles, Leonard Cohen, John Prine, Bob, the Byrds, the Flying Burrito Bros, CSN&Y, JD Souther, Jackson Browne, Marianne Faithful, Joni Mitchell, Dolly, Bobbie Gentry, Steve Earle, Robert Burns, and the mighty Chuck Prophet.
And more generally on your life?
My mom, Sister Mary Karlyn, Paula Ogren, Tom Hayden, Tom Paine, Sarah Raphael, my ridiculously beautiful, talented sons, Skylar, Aubrey, and Luke are a constant source of inspiration and exasperation. My mad scientist/physician husband Dorian. His work ethic and dedication to his vocation is astounding.
You have quite a lineage, ancestors who led challenging political lives, tell me about them?
Article comments
1 - Rob
Nice post. I recently blogged about how you can extend the Open Source ethos to not only software but also politics and even food and drink! There's a tenuous link between how do Naomi Kleins no-brand, no-logo cola, chicken curry, and beer affect globalisation.