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Old Weird Americana Interview
Juliana Hatfield
Since
The Blake Babies, Juliana Hatfield has seen her career peak &
trough enough to have scared off lesser mortals. Once feted as American
alt Rock's uber babe and unable to mention in print without Evan
Dando's name appearing, Juliana is still quietly going about her
business with the newly/sometime reformed Babies and her other project,
Some Girls. This is what she had to say for herself.
OWA:
What's the weather like in Boston at the moment?
JH: It's actually quite mild today but it has been quite cold over
the last week. I love the cold.
OWA:
You brought out Gold Stars recently, a compilation of your solo
career to date. How do you feel your music has changed over the
years?
JH: Hmm…good question. My voice is lower for one thing. I think
it has relaxed a little.
OWA: You've recently played some shows with your old band the Blake
Babies and another band, Some Girls (which includes Blake Babies
drummer Freda Love). It must be nice to play with old friends again.
JH: Freda's a great drummer and a great gal. Playing with her again
made me want to continue playing with her. Playing with the Blake
Babies again sparked some kind of future out of our past.
OWA:
How do you feel coming from Boston has affected your sound, if at
all?
JH:
It's hard to say. I don't think it has had an effect sonically.
Boston has no particular regional sound at least in pop. There are
lots of different bands with different sounds. I suppose there's
no pressure to conform, to try and hit the big time like in L.A.
OWA: You've recorded with Giant Sand. You both have quite different
sounds. How did you hook up with those guys?
JH: I met them in the late eighties when the Blake Babies were opening
for them in Atlanta, Georgia. We just hit it off.
OWA:
Simplicity Is Beautiful off Only Everything is one of my favourite
songs ever. Is there any one of your songs that you are particularly
proud of?
JH:
Actually, I'm really proud of that one. The guitar interlude really
captured a feeling, a more than conscious thing. It's kind of beautiful.
There's a Blake Babies song, Waiting For Heaven off God Bless The
Blake Babies. I like that one a lot too.
OWA: I remember you mentioning in an old interview how much you
liked Dinosaur Jr., what music are you listening to these days?
JH:
I like a band called Spoon from Austin, Texas. I'm also listening
to a lot of old stuff from the seventies.
OWA: Finally, is there any prospect of you touring in Europe in
the near future?
JH: I'd like to think so. Nothing is planned at the moment. It's
harder when you're on a small label to do overseas promotion. I've
never been to Ireland. I'd love to go.
www.julianahatfield.com
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