Uncommon Music - Carolyn Wonderland Interview

Written By: Nichole Wagner



Bubble Photo By: Brio Photography
Pink Photo By: Todd V Wolfson



Austin-based musician Carolyn Wonderland and her band are spending their summer criss-crossing the nation, occasionally jumping the border into Canada and as far away as Norway and Amsterdam.

After returning home from California and a show in Lake Tahoe she was kind enough to take a moment to answer a few questions before heading back out west for shows in Colorado, Utah and Washington.

NW: You seem to keep a very full touring schedule, is there anything special that you bring with you on the road or anything you can't bring with you that you miss when you're out?

I miss my cats.

NW: Did you ever consider a different career? If so, what was it?

Nope.

NW: What was the first song you wrote and do you still play it?

I started writing songs when I was 8. So, no I don't play those songs.

NW: Of your songs, which are your favorite to perform and why?

Songs are like kids, I don't have a favorite one.

NW: What are some of your favorite meals, either on the road or at home?

Fresh food. Thai. The challenge is eating vegan on the road.

NW: What types of things do you like to do when you're not on tour?

I don't know what "not on tour" means anymore. I just try to schedule sleeping & eating between driving, appearances & shows.

NW: When you were growing up, what kind of music did you listen to?

Everything. Mostly live bands in venues that didn't bust my fake ID.

Little Screaming Kenny, Jerry Lightfoot, Joe Guitar Hughes, Townes & all the the unusual suspects.

NW: What was it like to tape your first Austin City Limits segment in June?

I thought I was going to puke after every song. It was great to have Cole El-Saleh, Michael "Lefty" Lefkowitz & myself joined by our friends Bobby Perkins, Scott Daniels, Ray Benson, Guy Forsyth & Shelley King to make a big band sound on a few songs!

It airs on PBS November 8.

The funny thing is, I'll be in Amsterdam for WonderJaminAmsterdam when it airs & it'll be 8 hours time difference... so technically it'll be my birthday (the 9th) where I am & I cannot think of a better present.

NW: Are there any records you've listened to recently that you'd recommend?

Papa Mali's "Do Your Thing," Guy Forsyth's "Love Songs: For and Against," James McMurtry's "Just Us Kids," Ruthie Foster's "The Phenomenal Ruthie Foster."

NW: You participated in the Million Musician March for Peace in March and a lot of your songs have a political touch. Which causes are important to you?

I find it important to support organizations that feed people, offer shelter, clothing, a peaceful existence & opportunities that are otherwise ignored.

I have been blessed to work with groups like HAAM (Health Alliance for Austin Musicians) & the SIMS foundation - both groups that work with physical & mental health issues in Austin.

In the peace movement, I have been more than happy to work with the Crawford Peace House, Camp Casey [editor note - the Camp Casey in Crawford, TX associated with Cindy Sheehan], Veterans for Peace, Gold Star Families for Peace, Million Musician March.

I feel the best conversations I have had regarding Peace have come from visits to VA Hospitals. There was a time in South Dakota where I played at the VA & felt a sharp pain in my soul upon leaving. It is a humbling experience that leaves one convinced you must do something to insure these honorable people don't get lied to & used in such a manner & then left with insufficient care upon their return.

I also feel the incarceration of our citizens for the mere possession or enjoyment (or medical use) of a plant is something that should have been rectified long ago. But since it hasn't, I am openly of service to groups like WAAM, MPP (Marijuana Policy Project), NORML & the Seattle Hempfest.

It is my great honor to serve on the board of a new foundation named after my dear friend, mentor, neighbor & one of my first drummers, Uncle John Turner. The UJT Foundation has been set up to help Austin musicians suffering from Hep-C & it's many complications.

I learned how to be of service to charities while playing in the Austin all-star gospel band, the Imperial Golden Crown Harmonizers. You see, I thought one had to have money to help out in any meaningful way... I was wrong. You just need patience, time & a will to do the work. The Harmonizers play for free, pass a tip jar & donate ALL of the money to Central Texas charities a few times a year. In just over 10 years, the band has raised over $100,000. I am not mentioning this to brag. I am just saying that if we can do this, SO CAN YOU.

HAAM (Health Alliance for Austin Musicians)

SIMS foundation

Crawford Peace House

Veterans for Peace

Million Musician March

Gold Star Families for Peace

UJT Foundation

WAAM

MPP (Marijuana Policy Project)

NORML

Seattle Hempfest

Imperial Golden Crown Harmonizers