100 Musicians Answer the Same 10 Questions

Part Nine: Jennifer O'Connor

instigated by dave heaton

Based in New York City, Jennifer O' Connor is a truly gifted songwriter/performer whose songs carry with them memorable melodies while conveying experiences, ideas, and feelings. Her albums Jennifer O'Connor and The Color and the Light (Red Panda) are both excellent, and I'm pleased to hear that her next album will be released (August 22) on Matador Records. Songs and updates can be found on her website.

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What aspect of making music excites you the most right now?

I'd say it's probably playing the new songs with my drummer Jon (Langmead). We are starting to do more and more shows and he's the most consistent member of my band, so it's nice to really bring the studio recordings to life.

What aspect of making music gets you the most discouraged?

I don't feel very discouraged lately.

What are you up to right now, music-wise? (Current or upcoming recordings, tours, extravaganzas, experiments, top-secret projects, etc).

I have a new record coming out on Matador called Over the Mountain, Across the Valley and Back to the Stars on Aug. 22. Other than that, lots of shows this summer and more touring in the fall and winter....

What's the most unusual place you've ever played a show or made a recording? How did the qualities of that place affect the show/recording?

I played in a field on Roosevelt Island a couple of weeks ago. There was no amplification and it was really different than your usual show. Everyone was really into it and it felt like an event. 20 or so bands played.

In what ways does the place where you live (or places where you have lived), affect the music you create, or your taste in music?

I feel like many of my songs are written about or when traveling between two places. These may not be places that I live necessarily, but I tend to be most creative when traveling. I"m not sure why that is. I know that's not really answering your question.....

When was the last time you wrote a song? What can you tell us about it?

Last week while driving to Florida. See?!!! Not much to tell, I don't think it's one that will survive. I sing to myself while driving and write stuff down. Later I sit down with the guitar and shape them into songs. Sometimes this works, in this case, not so much... But I'm not really in the songwriting zone right now. I'm more in the playing live/getting ready to release a record zone....

As you create more music, do you find yourself getting more or less interested in seeking out and listening to new music made by other people...and why do you think that is?

I go through phases with this. But for the most part, I am an avid music listener and fan and always have been. I love buying records, collecting records, listening to records...I"m a total music nerd. It's the one thing in life that I find endlessly fascinating and this is probably the reason that I make music myself.

Lately what musical periods or styles do you find yourself most drawn to as a listener? (Old or new music? Music like yours or different from yours?)

I have to say that I am pretty all over the map. I only discriminate based on quality.

Name a band or musician, past or present, who you flat-out LOVE and think more people should be listening to. What's one of your all-time favorite recordings by this band/musician?

The Naysayer. She has a new record out on Red Panda in September called Smoke Reality and it's amazing. More people should be aware of her and her songs. She is an incredible songwriter. Smart and funny, yet deeply moving....and completely original.

What's the saddest song you've ever heard?

That's a hard one. I don't know, a lot of the songs on Wilco's Summerteeth make me cry, but that's probably just because I listened to it A LOT during a particularly hard time. But isn't that how it goes with most songs? It's all about your personal relationship to them....

To check out the rest of the Q&As, click here.