Catie Curtis Proves She's Still Got It

10-02-2009This Month 10th Feb 11:00

Catie Curtis

Catie Curtis might be on her tenth album now, but by heck she is still going stronger than a racehorse! I caught up with the stunning singer to chat about albums, being an Olympic Figure Skater and gay marriage.

Hello Catie how are things going in your lovely world?

Fabulously snowy and cold, thank you.

To anyone who hasn't heard of you yet, how would you describe your sound?

I'm a pop-influenced acoustic singer/songwriter who's often classified as folk. I love warm production values like B-3 organ, groovy percussion and a good strong bass line.

And can you sum up your sound in just five words?

Warm vocals and cool words

You know we're having a bit of an economic crisis here at the moment, if people wanted to spend their last £10 on a cd this weekend, why should they buy yours?

Because they will feel much better, oh so much better.

What has the reaction to your tenth studio album, Sweet Life been like?

Lots of good press and TV in the US, more sold-out shows, and now my first return to the UK since 2002!

Tell us a bit about the vibe of the album and the meaning behind it?

This CD was written against the backdrop of dark times-the last couple years of the Bush presidency. I made an effort to be hopeful and comforting on this album because the news has been so scary. I didn't want to reinforce at the anxiety people are feeling. There's always a reason to be hopeful. My partner and I have two kids, and some of the songs are about the resilience and courage we all need to move forward.

What would you say is your ultimate goal in life?

To accept what is real. That and to figure-skate in the Olympics one day (these two goals are in conflict, hmm.)

You've obviously seen a lot over the course of your career, what is your most treasured memory?
Performing as part of the Barack Obama Presidential Inauguration last month! Also, the Lilith Fair tour back in 1999 with Sarah McLachlin and Bonnie Raitt was pretty spectacular.

What advice would you give to someone looking to follow in your footsteps?

Find what you do well and make it uniquely yours.

Who do you think is the greatest singer around at the moment?

I would be hard-pressed to name anyone the greatest singer, but I do think that Ray LaMontagne has great texture in his voice. Of anyone around these days, he captures my attention with his singing.

If you could only listen to one CD for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Bonnie Raitt, Luck of the Draw. It's just so listenable and true.

What makes you stand out from the crowd?

I don't know, where I come from we're not supposed to stand out from the crowd! My voice has a lot of good texture, and I work to create a unique point of view as a writer.

Okay, now we want to ask you some random questions;

What was the last book you read?

"First Ecstasy, then the Laundry" by Jack Kornfield

If you had only 9 minutes to live, what would you do in those 9 minutes?

Cry

If you could take over a foreign country tomorrow, which would you take over and what would be your first law?

Foreign country? Can I just take over the USA and expand gay marriage from 2 states to all 50? Change starts at home!

Haha, great answer Catie, well thank so much for taking the time out to talk to us, and good luck with everything.