 Credit: Brendan Bullock
On February 9th, Caroline Cotter will release her new full-length Home On The River. Co-produced by Cotter and Jeff Oehler of Beehive Productions, Home on the River emphasizes both the freedom of wanderlust and a sense of place on it's nine originals as well as Cotter's lovely acapella version of Woody Guthrie's "My Peace". In advance of the album's release, Cotter kindly took the time to answer her Essential 8 and talk about her album's title, road life, and much more!
What’s the story behind your album’s title? I’ve been working on finding my “home within” since I left my childhood home in 2002. It’s been 15 years of searching, exploring, adventuring, digging, journeying. My home is this journey, especially as a touring musician always on the move, and I’m finally feeling comfortable here. Do you write about personal experience, the experience of others, observations, made-up stories, something else or a combination? The songs on this album are all reflections of my own experiences, as are most of the songs I’ve written. What do you love most about being on the road? I love being somewhere new every day, seeing new things and meeting new people. I have a vague idea of what to expect on a daily basis but this is an adventure full of surprises and unknowns, and I love that.
Which song of yours gets the best crowd response?
1 4 3, because most people have lost someone close to them and can relate to the idea that that person is, in a way, still with them. What are your “must have” albums for the road? I don’t know if I have “must haves.” I will say that I’ve been known to put songs on repeat and go for hours… Recently I’ve done this with Anais Mitchell’s “Young Man in America”, Regina Spektor's “All the Rowboats”, Phoebe Hunt’s “Take Me Home”, Idan Raichel’s “Achshav Karov", Benebar’s “A notre santé". How do you kill the long hours in the van? I spend a lot of time listening to the radio and to Podcasts. Some of my favorites are On Being, Ted Radio Hour, Serial, Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me, Crimetown, The Working Songwriter. I also spend time listening to podcasts to learn German and French. And of course I call family and friends to catch up. Do you have a favorite gift from a fan? Yes! Last time I played in Norman, Oklahoma, I received a $20 bill with specific instructions. The man (I’m sorry I can’t remember his name now) told me to go down to Stash, a locally owned gift boutique in downtown Norman, and ask for a “Woody Guthrie Patron Saint candle.” The next morning I found the store, asked about the candle and the owner said she had one left. I gave her the $20 and I have carried the candle around with me ever since. Favorite (or first) concert you have ever attended? I think the first big concert I attended without adult supervision was They Might Be Giants in Providence, RI circa 1996. But my favorite is probably a tie for Paul Simon with Bob Dylan in 1999 and Elton John with Billy Joel in 2002. Website Insta Purchase
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