Christine January 14th, 2009
These are questions which Kat from Poetikat asked me a few days ago. I’m not sure how good I am at this but here goes. I want to thank Kat for thinking of me and offering to write these great questions. Over the years I have been interviewed by newspapers, weekly journals, east coast radio DJ’s, a couple local public TV and radio stations, the New Age Reporter, and a few others. The guy at the Reporter did a great job and that was a fun interview. However, I was always amazed at how unimaginative the inquiries usually sounded; besides half the time they got stuff wrong. So, Kat well done with these five questions. ~~ 1. Your music speaks to the soul and spirit. Who would you say are your greatest influences?
First of all – thank you so much. That is surely a big compliment because “spirit” was the focus of many of our compositions. I grew up listening to classical music which my Dad had playing all the time either on the radio FM out of Denver or his vast collection of classical LP’s. I took lessons on the violin at eight and then switched to piano a couple years later. In my teens I started playing recorder after spending the summer in Munich and was introduced to a lot of very old chamber music by our German friends. I think Bach, Handle and Beethoven were my favorites as a child, but as a teen I really became interested in the older Baroque composers: Corelli and some of the old Italian masters.
My folks who had me later in life were always playing their music from the 40’s: Gershwin for example. My brother had a large assortment of LP’s too. Joni Mitchell, Johnny Rivers, Judy Collins, the Beatles and Yes. There was a lot of music he listened to that I just soaked up. I knew all that stuff by heart and he had a big reel to reel tape deck with hours of music. On another end of the spectrum: My paternal grandfather (who actually spent much of his life in Canada) knew all the old cowboy songs and at family gatherings he and my uncle would sit around and sing non-stop. These songs dated from the latter part of the 1800’s. In college I started listening to Bruce Cockburn, a Canadian artist I’m sure you’ve heard of, and a large array of Celtic music. That list is too lengthy but we started out with the Bothy Band and Capercaillie. The Celtic music is the most obvious influence on our CDs. I learned the penny whistle when Matthew and I were married. I also learned how to play the Bodhran (Irish drum) quite well. I do not have a music degree; it’s in Religious Philosophy. As you all know there is a huge market out there for poets and philosophers!
Matthew grew up teaching himself banjo and guitar from vintage Blue Grass and Old Timey albums. He plays everything and he’s a very fine musician… brilliant actually. He started at the U of Montana with a Tuba scholarship, if that gives you any indication of “everything”. He played guitar in a couple jazz ensembles when I first met him – jazz guitar, bass and drums. How I first heard him play was at a party and he started playing Bruce Cockburn and singing with a sweet voice. I pretty much knew right then what was going to happen. That man and I are going to get it on! It was not until after we had Alasdair that he seriously took up the Celtic Harp. Funny enough, out of all those instruments, when he gets out his acoustic guitar my heart strings start humming along in a special way.
2. Who is your favourite classical poet?
The metaphysical poet John Donne. Please don’t ask me why. I always viewed his poetry as both passionate and spiritual.
3. If you could step on a plane tomorrow and go anywhere in Europe, where would it be?
Italy, I believe. Or Greece. I traveled quite a bit in northern Europe when I was there many years ago but never really saw Italy. In my heart of hearts however if I could have a plane ticket and not be paying for college tuition I would go back to Hawaii. The island of Kauai in particular. That place haunts my dreams.
4. You’ve mentioned the west coast of Washington in your blog. What particularly place touches you the most?
The Olympic Peninsula which is a wild, preserved stretch of ocean strand and rain forest. It is my second home and I always feel complete there. I am one to stand out in the worst rain storm staring at the ocean and feel I am present in a thin place.
5. How did you come to name your two sons?
Fun question. Ian is the first born and I ended up naming him because his was such a hard labor; it was tough on us both which required intervention. After holding him for the first time I realized that his eyes had been wide open from the very first instant. There was such an intelligence and deep sensitivity there, and he felt so familiar that that name just came tumbling out without hesitation. As you probably are aware Ian is simply the Celtic name for John which means God is Gracious. Ian plays an expert penny whistle by the way; also guitar and piano.
Alasdair is a Scottish name for Alexander which means Protector. This name Matthew really wanted and I quite liked it too. When I was pregnant with Alasdair we were listening to a lot of the Celtic fiddler – Alasdair Fraser. It is a name of a strong individual and for our Aly it is perfect although as yet he hasn’t shown any sign of wanting to play the fiddle. He is a wonderful drummer and guitarist however and his keen observation and deep understanding for a sixteen year old always make me thoughtful.
~~~~~
Please let me know if any of you wish to do an interview. Here are the instructions if you wish to be interviewed by me:
1. Leave me a comment saying, “Interview me”. Or emailing me is very OK.
2. I will respond by e-mailing you five questions (I get to pick the questions)
3. You will update your blog with the answers to the questions.
4. You will include this explanation and an offer to interview someone else in the same post.
5. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions.
