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Catie Curtis sings about what matters |
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Written by Glenn BurnSilver
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Thursday, 30 November 2006 |
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 There are certain perceptions — requirements — that come with being a folk artist: insight, wit, candor, protest, and the ability to tell a good story and tell it well.
Catie Curtis wears the tag of folk artist, and wears it well. Her music is political, biting, funny, touching, visual and reveals her world in a manner that allows most everyone to find a connection.
 “The role of an artist, whether a folk artist or painter or whatever, is to help reflect back to people what their experience is. I hope that when I express and describe what my experiences are that it acts like a mirror and people are able to put together the pieces of what’s going on in a new way,” she said by phone during a tour stop in Eugene, Ore.
“I think our society is so fast-paced that the time people take to listen to music or go see music is one of the few times they have to reflect and think about things. I hope to give them a fresh perspective on what they are going through.”
Curtis uses her stage not so much as a folk protest pulpit, but as a place for relevant discussion where the audience takes an important role in each song’s rendering.
Curtis creates more of a living room vibe. Though her songs cover everything from her “California envy” during cold New England winters to the joys of parenting, the war and future health of our planet are currently of major concern for her.
“As I was writing (“Long Night Moon,” her latest release) I was having a deep concern about where things are going,” she said. “The last four years have been scary for people in this country realizing that there are lots of threats in the world and how we handle things may encourage more violence in the world or peace.
 This record has more of a world view and a world view for the next generation.”
In fact, her political observance, “People Look Around,” written with Mark Erelli, won the grand prize at the International Songwriting Competition.
Curtis’ subsequent video, filmed in post-Katrina New Orleans, further addresses flaws of our current government both here and abroad, and the important work facing us as a nation.
“I think it is important to address this right now,” she added. “People realize this is a time when we need to be talking about these things. I really think this is a life-or-death situation for our country.
“People Look Around” is the perfect compliment to “Long Night Moon,” an album filled with well-crafted songs of love and hope and a few good laughs. As usual, Curtis carries forth, folk torch in hand, only this time she’s packing a little extra socio-political flare to light the way for everyone holding out for change. | Only registered users can write comments.
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