Preview
Tuning Up With Songwriter/Guitarist Karen Grenier
By J. Star
VW: How does a song come to you? Do the words come first, or the music? Tell us about the grassroots of how songs evolve for you.
KG: Sometimes a song comes to me all at once, quickly. And sometimes it takes months to write a song... Sometimes the music comes first, sometimes the lyrics... But - it all comes from life... from people and things that make an impression on me personally. I do a lot of journaling, which serves as somewhat of a starting point for my lyrics.
VW: Do you produce your own CDs, produce and arrange how all the songs
fit on the CD?
KG: I produce my own CDs... I have a background in audio engineering,
so that helps. I would like to work with a producer at some point, someone
who can bring out more of the best in me. I like work that Natalie Merchant's
producer did on her Tigerlily album.
VW: When you bring in another musician to back you up, do you let them
figure out a part or would you give general or specific direction, vague
or detailed?
KG: When I'm in studio or performing live we usually have parts already
worked out from time spent rehearsing... Initially, I describe what I'm
looking for, the feel I'm trying to capture... Then if I don't like something,
I say so! For my latest project, Laura Wood played percussion. She has
a good sense of what I like and what the song needs.
VW: Do you think that Michigan Woman's Festival should be woman-only,
and that you have to be born female to gain access?
KG: I've thought about this since we last spoke. I'm not opposed to women-only
festivals, I think they have a place and that they fill a need. Michigan
has its tradition and its identity, which have contributed to its greatness
and its success. And there are plenty of festivals that aren't exclusively
female. So, why not have a few that are? Sometimes, when it gets down
to the nitty-gritty, it's not so cut and dry. There are some people who
were not born female, but identify as female, live as female, relate as
female. And I'm not talking about drag queen dress-up here... I'm talking
about people who for no fault of their own, possess anatomy that doesn't
match their identity. We just need to make sure that in the spirit of
what a festival hopes to accomplish, we are not causing harm or hurt.
Not allowing men is not necessarily harmful, but not allowing a person
who may not have been born female, but identifies as completely as a female,
could possibly be hurtful. I'm just saying that sometimes, policy can
alienate and could potentially cause harm. I'm not saying what should
or shouldn't happen, just raising points for healthy discussion and growth.
As a performer, I'd love the chance to experience Michigan someday. I
love to sing and play, and would welcome the chance to play and share
my songs at any gathering!
VW: About those peaks and lows musicians come across. How often do you
wanna just give it all up?
KG: Sometimes it's really difficult managing every aspect of life... relationships,
money, time, personal growth... sometimes it gets overwhelming, like when
I really miss my girlfriend, or when I'm broke or when I feel like I haven't
been working out enough, or I'm sick or hormonal... Sometimes when I have
some or all these things going on at once I've had thoughts of giving
it up for a more secure and predictable life. Those are the lows... I've
got as many peaks though, that encourage me to continue. That's the thing,
for every peak, there is a valley... That's life I guess!!! And the valleys
help us to appreciate the peaks!!!
I believe I'm doing one of the things I was born to do, even though it's
hard at times.
VW: As if songwriting and making CDs are not enough. Are you manager,
promoter, and business affairs person too? Not everyone realizes it but
this can be an 80-hour week at times.
KG: TELL ME ABOUT IT... I DO EVERYTHING!!!!!
VW: Got a day job?
KG: No; I used to be a school counselor, but quit to do music full time.
VW: What is in your CD player right now?
KG: Ricky Martin's Life; Elton John's Greatest Hits; Indigo Girls’
Retrospective; Liz Wright.
VW: Will you be solo at 135 Pearl, or will you be bringing folks?
KG: SOLO THIS TIME!!!
VW: Where were you born and raised?
KG: Southern New Hampshire.
VW: Do people ask you if you’re a lesbian?
KG: Occasionally... Some people figure it out and some don't seem to care
either way... I don't hide it, and I don't broadcast it either... but
if they ask, I tell them! I talk about my girlfriend all the time on stage.
VW: When you tour, how long is it for, generally?
KG: Many of my shows are close to home, so I travel back and forth...
but occasionally I string together several dates in a row and am away
for a week or two. I guess I'm perpetually "always" touring...
I had quite a bit of time off during the holiday season... it was a bit
slow! But things are kicking up again for the spring.
VW: Do you have any unique stories to tell us, about being a woman musician.
KG: Some of the straight bars I perform at typically hire male musicians,
so it was hard getting my foot in the door to get them to give me a chance.
VW: Who is your most unusual fan?
KG: Other than the occasional stalker-type fan buying me a glass unicorn
and invading my personal space, most of my fans are pretty usual... nice
people!
VW: Like who floored you?
KG: What floors me is when I get an email from a fan who has identified
with a song or who has been struggling with something and the music touched
them and helped them in some way... That floors me!!!
VW: How did you learn to play guitar and sing?
KG: Got my first guitar at age 18... A graduation present from my mom!!!
I started playing in my church folk group... A good friend of mine, Larry
Parker, who happens to be an amazing guitar player, led the group.
I learned by imitating and watching him play... It wasn't until years
later, after I had "come out" that I started performing at clubs
and coffeehouses. I've been singing ever since I can remember... I decided
in third grade that I wanted to join the chorus at school... and I never
stopped... I studied music and audio engineering in college. I didn't
start playing in clubs until my late 20's... about 11 years ago... you
do the math and you can probably figure out my age…
VW: Besides 135 Pearl, what is your favorite show to play?
KG: Every venue has its finer aspects. I love street performing because
it's so beautiful, playing outside in the fresh air, connecting with people
who might not go into a bar. I enjoy playing concerts & coffee houses,
where the crowd is there to listen, rather than socialize... If I'm playing
in a bar, for obvious reasons I prefer the non-smoking ones.... As far
as area of the country, well, I've enjoyed all of the places I've visited.
That's what's so great about doing this for a living. I get the chance
to meet people from all over the place! Because I drive to so many of
these places, I get to see more of the beauty and diversity in the country!
VW: What advice would you give to a woman starting out in the music bizz?
KG: Play for the people around you!!! Play as much as you can!!! Play
with the same enthusiasm in front of five people as you would in front
of a thousand!!! You never know who is listening. Appreciate your fans!!!
Keep in touch with your fans!!! Thank your fans!!! They are the reason
for your success. They come to shows, tell friends, buy CDs... they roll
the ball! Be honest and good in your life and in your writing and in all
of your dealings!!! Keep your personal space sacred!!!
Karen Grenier will be performing at 135 Pearl on Friday, February 3 at
8:30 p.m. $6 cover charge. 135 Pearl St., Burlington, Vermont. For more
info call (802) 863-2343.
A printer friendly version of this article is available.
Vermont Woman is a forum for news, issues, features, arts and entertainment from the perspective, experience, and voices of Vermont women. Vermont Woman is a monthly newspaper published in South Burlington, Vermont and is excerpted here on this site. All content ©Copyright 2006, Vermont Woman Publishing
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