Q&A: Dar Williams | Baltimore Media Blog

I chatted with Dar Williams about her career and her upcoming tour!

Q: Talk about your childhood, where you grew up, etc.

I grew up in Chappaqua, New York, when it was still kind of a sleep town.

Q: When did you know you wanted to be a musician?

I kind of backed into it. I went to Boston as an aspiring playwright. and there was an incredible wave of music going on..every genre was going through a renaissance. It was impossible not to get swept into it.

Q: Who inspires you?

My inspiration spans from the songwriters of the late 60’s. Leonard Cohen, Paul Simon, Joni Mitchell. Now I teach a course on about music in different eras and how it functions. They took their music VERY seriously in the late 60’s. It helped me understand why certain people gravitate to that era.

Q: Why did you begin to offer workshops and lectures?

I was speaking to a friend who encouraged me to, if I loved teaching, to lead a songwriting retreat. I was very hesitant, but with some things, you HAVE to at least try it. So I did it, and it ended being up being like a calling. ::laughs::

Q: What is your favorite song of yours and why?

There’s an early song of mine called “February.”

It turned out better than I expected. It showed me that if you’re patient, and you let a song unfurl on it’s on, it may surprise you.

Q: If you could record anyone living or dead, who would it be and why?

Rick Springfield because I’ve had a crush on him since I was twelve, when he was on “General Hospital.”

That is quite possibly the BEST answer I’ve ever gotten from that question.

::both laughs::

I used to say Peter Gabriel, Leonard Cohen..but let’s be real! His songs are great. He’s got a sense of humor about himself..I’ve always been a huge fan.

Q: Are you excited about your show here in Annapolis this week?

I’m thrilled! Rams Head has done it right from the start. It has the right “feel.”