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Music:
Jonatha Brooke
Singer/Songwriter
Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2002; 1 p.m. EST
Folk/rock singer/songwriter Jonatha Brooke has been busy lately. Currently in the midst of a U.S. tour, Brooke has songs being featured on an upcoming episode of the WB Network's "Dawson's Creek," and two never-before-released songs for the new Peter Pan movie, "Return to Never Land."
Brooke will be online Tuesday, Feb. 19 at 1 p.m. EST, to discuss her tour, her album "Steady Pull" and the craft of songwriting.
Brooke recently played at Alexandria's Birchmere.
A transcript follows.
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over Live Online discussions and choose the most relevant questions for guests and hosts; guests and hosts can decline to answer questions.
Jonatha Brooke: Hey, it's jonatha in the house, thanks for stopping by. I'll try to answer as many questions as my fingers will...
Arlington, Va.:
Hi, Jonatha, you are an amazing artist. My question: I found the song "Bleeker Street" on Napster about a year ago, but I haven't seen it on any of your CDs. Was it written for a special occasion? Will you be releasing it soon? I think it is a beautiful piece.
Jonatha Brooke: it's on a collection of folk songs from the sixties, called "Bleecker St." I think. It's definitely in stores.
Washington, D.C.:
Have you and Jennifer Kimball maintained your friendship over the years? Any possibility of a reunion tour/album of The Story?
Jonatha Brooke: we're in touch once in a while. But both totally different musically at this point.
Washington, D.C.:
Hi Jonatha-
I saw you at the future of music summit at Georgetown University - what did you think about the conference and the debate around artists' rights in general?
Jonatha Brooke: I think the conference only touched the tip of the iceberg. And there was a lot of huff and puff about changing the model. Meanwhile, my songs are my livelihood, my record sales, and airplay royalties keep me alive. I felt there were a good few people there who were a little coy about intellectual property.
Pennsylvania:
Who, if any, were your inspirations to become a musician? What music did you listen to you when you were younger?
Jonatha Brooke: the beatles of course. mamas and the papas. west side story, chopin, rachmaninoff, Stevie Wonder, Chaka Khan, Bonnie Raitt. whatever my two older brothers brought home!
San Francisco, Calif.:
Thanks for the great show in San Francisco this year.
It's been intriguing to see how you've developed
musically over the years. For example, you still
perform the song "At the Still Point" (my most
memorable song), but with a different kind of "rock"
urgency. Are you still interested in the
Mediterranean/Latin percussive influences of the
"Angel In the House" years, that made that album
very unique and experimental?
Jonatha Brooke: I will always love the Latin tinges, the Brazilian soul and sense of melody. I think as I get older it all becomes a more fluid part of the whole picture, so I may not use a berimbau or choose an overtly Latin rhythm base, those things have totally informed my approach.
Washington, D.C.:
Saw you at the Birchmere--you were wonderful. About the songs from Return to Never Land - where can I find them? Do I really have to wait until the soundtrack is released? Thanks in advance.
Jonatha Brooke: The soundtrack is out!!! I just bought one at Tower, I sing "The Second Star to the right" and my song "I'll Try". It's all pretty exciting for me.I love the song so much it still makes me cry when I sing it!! What a sentimental mush I am
Arlington, Va.:
You're such a talented musician and songwriter. Do you ever get bitter about not having had more commercial success?
Jonatha Brooke: tired, maybe sometimes, never bitter. I've already had so much success as far as I'm concerned -- I have amazing fans, I get to do what I love every night on stage, I get to make records and work with amazing musicians, I don't have to be a cleaning lady any more. Most days, I feel like I'm the luckiest girl in the world.
Atlanta, Ga.:
Hello, J-bro:
Saw you at two great shows last year at Smith's Olde Bar here in ATL, and see that one year after Linger, you're still touring! I do notice, however, that you put a good bit of time and distance b/w dates and locations. Does that keep it from getting monotonous? And what're you doing when you're not on the road? Recording? Updating the website? Bookkeeping? I'm just curious what life's really like for a critically-acclaimed, independent recording artist. Care to share?
Thanks!
Jonatha Brooke: Usually when i have down time, I'm trying to write, catch up on reading and friends, I've lately written another song for Disney for their sequel to Dumbo... so I'm always doing something creative.
Oh yeah and laundry
Washington, D.C.:
I saw you last week at the Birchmere in Alexandria. Great show!
Someone asked about the ring on your finger and you said you were engaged. Who's the lucky guy? And have you been married before?
Jonatha Brooke: I am engaged and completely over the moon, goofy happy.
Washington, D.C.:
Jonatha, I loved your contribution to the Bleecker Street collection. It's a really haunting performance of a stark yet redeeming song. How did you choose to remake the Simon and Garfunkel song? Did you get to work with some of the other amazing artists in that project? Do you think there will ever again be one single place to find a congregation of folk musicians the way the Village was in the 60s? Thanks.
Jonatha Brooke: thanks. they actually chose me for that song, that compilation. It's the same guys that did the tribute to Laura Nyro record.I did "He's a Runner" on that one. They just do great work, beautifully musical, tasteful.
I think Boston has been a really creative scene for songwriters. I don't think there'll ever be anything like the village in the 60s again though.
Pennsylvania:
What were you like as a child? Was you rebellious, refective, etc.? What was the most trouble you ever caused.
Jonatha Brooke: I was a tomboy and a ballerina. Very focussed, not particularly rebellious, preoccupied by large questions. My dad built me a treehouse with a roof and windows, that was my secret haven.
I don't know that I ever caused typical trouble. Just freaked my mom out every time she'd see me way up another tree.
Arlington, Va.:
Jonatha, what do you do for fun?
Jonatha Brooke: I eat!!! The more chocolate the better.
Then read books, take long walks.
Fairfax, Va.:
Who among celebrities are your fans and have any of them sent anything or said anything to you? Are you amazed?
Do you consider yourself as a celebrity?
Jonatha Brooke: I don't consider myself a celebrity. I think Kevin Bacon came to a gig of mine once. that's no degrees of separation right??!
Bruce Cockburn writing me a letter long ago was a really big deal. To have someone whose work you admire so, notice what you're doing is really cool.
Waldorf, Md.:
Hi Jonatha
I made the move to DVD Audio recently, and "Steady Pull" is a sonic marvel.
Does the higher resolution of this format effect your composing in any way?
Jonatha Brooke: not directly, no. although I agree the sound is unbelievable.
Washington, D.C.:
I was introduced to your music via a friend of mine from high school (who I hadn't seen in years) and one of my roommates from college. Now I buy your cds as birthday presents for other friends and invite them along to the shows. Aside from word of mouth advertising, is there anything we can do to help you as you make your music without the support of a big label? I have tried to find a place on your site with information on which songs have been released to radio (to make requests) or which stations. I think it's great you're tackling this on your own (for now) and would love to help. By the way, your "rambling stories" at the live shows ee great! They, and the energy of you and your awesome band, make the shows the most entertaining I've attended. Thanks
Jonatha Brooke: that's so sweet. Thank you. I think you're already doing amazing things to help, and I SO appreciate it.
Washington, D.C.:
Jonatha,
I discovered your music from a roommate while studying abroad, and have been entranced ever since. Went to your concert at the Birchmere in the fall of 1997, bought 10 Cent Wings, and listened to it only to realize that my (soon to be ex-) best friend was "Annie". Can you tell me about the inspiration for that song?
Jonatha Brooke: Annie was a composite of three different friends. I thought if I combined them, none of them would get hurt feelings!!
Harrisburg, Pa.:
What led to your song being on "Dawson's Creek?" I am sure there is a story there.
Jonatha Brooke: My friend Bambi, who actually got me my gig at Disney writing the Peter Pan song, became an independent song 'pitcher'. She's the one that made the Dawson's Creek connection.
Germantown, Md.:
Hi Jonatha,
You won't remember me, but I'm the single white male that sat in the front row amongst many single infatuated females at the Birchmere many years ago when you headed up The Story. Your bassist at the time, Mike, is an old friend which allowed me the opportunity to meet you back stage. Your songs, arrangements and performance left me delighted; to this day it remains to be one of the best shows I've seen. Although I'm not completely familiar with your solo recordings and may be typing out of school; I was wondering if you saw a return to more of the lush complexities of past endeavors. Regardless I am happy for your success and consider you one of the industries state of the art song writers.
Jonatha Brooke: I never know what the muse will bring!! I'll always love lush, but the songs seem to dictate the direction from year to year.
thanks
Arlington, Va.:
Jonatha, do you think you'll ever have a big dog again? Don't you miss the doggie experience?
Jonatha Brooke: I can't even explain how much I miss big dogdom. I pine for dogs every day. I follow them down the street in strange cities, just to get a moment of dog love. I started to cry the other day in SanDiego when i saw a perfect Bernese Mountain dog and it's three month old puppy sitting at an outdoor cafe. It's too much to bear.
Alexandria, Va.:
My first name is Jonathan. How did you get your unusual first name? Do you have a nickname, such as "Jon" or "Jonny?"
Jonatha Brooke: My parents had friends with a daughter named jonatha and thought they'd borrow it for me. Usually people can't get it right away so I just tell them I'll answer to anything.
Washington, D.C.:
Do you have any thoughts about the young singer/songwriter Michelle Branch?
Jonatha Brooke: I've never heard of her. Maybe I'll go back to Tower and look for her.
Vienna, Va.:
Have you ever met Ani Difranco or Sarah McLaughlin - will you play in any Lilith Fair concerts?
Jonatha Brooke: Yes I've met both, they're FAB. I think Lilith is over. But maybe I'll create the Adam festival. Just a bunch of guys and me.
Arlington, Va.:
Will you be coming back to the D.C. area on your tour?
Jonatha Brooke: I just played the Birchmere last week.... so maybe next fall depending on my writing/recording schedule.
Bethesda, Md.:
How did you start getting into music? When did you get your big break?
When you write your songs, do you include making a statement or politics in some of your music?
Jonatha Brooke: I always sang along with whatever I heard. I was always in the school choir, but I didn't realize I was a writer until I took a composition course in college. then it was a flood.
I was so inspired by this new toy.
I suppose I've had any number of "big breaks"
certainly getting signed to Elektra felt enormous at the time. And it was great signing with MCA at the time too. My song in the Peter Pan movie feels like a new "big break". And I guess cumulatively they add up to a career.
I actually don't like to be overtly political in my songs. I like to portray characters and points of view, yes, but I feel more comfortable telling short stories and not trying to preach to any aganda.
Jonatha Brooke: so... thanks for your thoughtful comments. Please check out the website for the latest tour dates. Know that I try to check in to the posting area as much a possible -- it's hard from the road as I don't travel with a computer.
Meanwhile, go see "Return to Neverland" it's a really sweet movie. And I think we all need a little faith, trust, and pixie dust, as the refrain goes.You can also buy the soundtrack everywhere. And request the song "I'll try" at Adult contemporary stations.
I'll be in Denmark next week, then Belgium, Paris and hopefully a little promotional swing in Sweden.
Again, thanks so much for the support. See you on the road.
cheers, and chocolate.
jonatha
Washington, D.C.:
From listening to you music, I get the hunch that you have perfect pitch. Am I right?
Jonatha Brooke: no, but thanks for the compliment.
washingtonpost.com:
That wraps up today's show. Thanks to everyone who joined the
discussion.
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