"Really, I don't have any personal connection to anyone with epilepsy but I'm hoping to do some good for the cause."
Those are the words of Grammy winner and seven time Grammy nominee Paula Cole on her upcoming appearance in the Candlelight Concert for Epilepsy Awareness Series on September 20 in Ewing, NJ.
This talented songstress, whom "Rolling Stone" once called "An extraordinary songwriter with a gorgeous voice," is far removed from the days of her mega hit "Where Have All The Cowboys Gone," preferring the less travelled road of teaching at Berklee College of Music in her home state of Massachusetts and carefully choosing her performance dates.
"I was raised in Rockport, Massachusetts," explained the soft spoken Cole. "I wanted out desperately, wanted more, wanted to make it; so I wound up spending most of my adult life in New York City. It's funny how things come full circle isn't it? I'm back home now so that I can raise my daughter near family and grandma and grandpa," she said with a little laugh.
Cole's young daughter may be the reason she's back to her roots but one gets the impression that there's more beneath the surface of this seemingly relaxed artist. When questioned on her Grammy Award victory and nominations; Cole seemed slightly uncomfortable, even somewhat un-phased by it all. "My Grammy? It's resting on a high shelf, it gets little notice but it does make a good bookend," she said with that little laugh turning into a hearty roar. "Seriously though, it blew my mind at the moment. I mean it's a great thing to be recognized but I look at things differently now. I need to be true to my muse, my music, keeping the purity of art; I figured out that I can't get too depressed if I'm not liked. There were times before the accolades started coming my way that I wanted to give up but as a woman that's hard to do; so I kept trying. Now that there are no record company execs., nobody hovering over my shoulder in the booth: I can be true to myself even if it means I'm unsuccessful commercially for a while, I'm willing to accept that."
Cole has worked with some of the industries heavyweights. Peter Gabriel, Dolly Parton, Herbie Hancock and Annie Lennox have all either covered or asked her to perform with them. "That came out of the blue like a lightning bolt," she explained, referring to Lennox contacting her. "I was totally humbled. I adored Annie Lennox, she was a huge influence. I'm a Gen-X-er and I grew up essentially listening to her; when she contacted me it flipped my lid! I studied jazz, meeting Herbie and working with him, he's got such an innocence, a child like attitude; he's a hero of mine and it's all pretty incredible."
Cole is a methodic producer of material, releasing only six full length albums in just over 18 years; she doesn't rush things. "In 2006 I released "Raven," that was my first indie release. Major labels, well let's just say I wanted autonomy. As a matter of fact, I'm in the studio at the moment with my original band and I'm also using an upright bass player as I experiment a bit. I don't want to say too much but there will be some new music coming from me. Being in the studio again is nice but between teaching and being a mom things are moving at a much slower pace these days and that's good; I like it. Recording with these guys, they're dear friends and bad ass musicians so I can't ask for more."
Paula seems in no hurry to return to the touring life of a rock musician anytime soon. Preferring a take it slow and an as it comes approach; one can tell she's at a crux in her career. "I feel like time will tell. I had an abrupt assent, hits came fast, I was young and I didn't like the attention; it was really tough on my psyche. Emmy Lou Harris said to me, "Paula, it happened too fast." As I said earlier, I'd get too depressed if I wasn't well liked or received and I'd let that get to me; not so much anymore. I think moving forward, there will be more dialogue, more meaningful work, maybe less live shows so I can concentrate on more things."
"Less Live shows....," a quote that signals perhaps an extended break or possibly being selective about where and when she performs. One thing is for sure, Paula Cole will be performing at the Trinity United Methodist Church located at 1985 Pennington Rd. in Ewing, NJ. Opening for Cole will be Jersey shore resident, the amazing Emily Grove. Emily has two CD's to her credit and has shared stages with some of the largest names in rock music, along the coast line and beyond. Show Time is 7 p.m. and tickets are a scant $30 in advance. To purchase tickets or discover more about the series, please go to www.candlelightconcert.org. To find out more about Paula Cole, log onto www.paulacole.com. Emily Grove can be found at www.ourstage.com/profile/emilygrove.
That's it for this week! Please continue to support live and original music and until next week....ROCK ON!
Fri. 8 p.m. Iain Matthews / Joe Orlando & Friends. All ages, doors at 7:30 p.m., $20 (advance)
Sat. 8 p.m. Exotica a Night of Exotic Percussion. All ages, doors at 7:30 p.m., $15 (advance)
The Sticky Wicket 2465 South Broad St. Hamilton (609) 439-0007
Fri. 9 p.m. War Machine
Sat. 9 p.m. DJ Aero
All shows 21+
The Sun National Bank Center 81 Hamilton Ave. Trenton (609) 656-3200
Check web site for upcoming events
Tir Na Nog 1324 Hamilton Ave. Trenton (609) 392-2554
Fri. 9 p.m. Galway Guild
Sat. 9 p.m. Mike Barniskis
Tues. 9 p.m.Bill Shannon
Wed. 9 p.m. Ed Wilson
All shows 21+
Trenton Social
449 South Broad Street Trenton
(609) 989-7777
Thurs. 8 p.m. Cinema Thursdays Presents: "For No Good Reason"
Fri. 10 p.m. Friday night w/ Jay Kountree & Jaxx
Mon. 10 p.m. Service Industry Night w/ DJ-Jay Kountree
Triumph Brewing Company (New Hope, Pa. Location) 400 Union Square New Hope, Pa. (215) 862-8300
Thurs. 10 p.m. DJ Trubblemaker
Fri. (5 p.m.) JD Eicher w/ Charlie Oxford, Christian Lopez. (10 p.m.) Dragon Fly. $5 (cover charge)
Sat. 10 p.m. Mustered Courage. $5 (cover charge)
Sun. 7 p.m. Open Jam Night
Tues. 9 p.m. Acoustic Grateful Dead w/ members of Splintered Sunlight
Wed. 9 p.m.
All shows 21+
Wildflowers Inn
2572 Pennington Rd. Pennington
Sat. 9 p.m. Live Acoustic Rock Mon. 9 p.m. Karaoke
All shows 21+
Danny Coleman is a veteran musician and writer from central New Jersey. He hosts a weekly radio program entitled “Rock On Radio” airing Sunday evenings at 7:000pm EST on multiple internet radio outlets where he features indie/original bands and solo artists.
(DUNELLEN, NJ) -- The Dunellen Theatre presents Faster Pussycat with special guests Johnny Nasty Boots and RAHWAY on Saturday, May 4, 2024. Doors are at 6:00pm, showtime is 7:00pm.
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