Episode 52: A Conversation with Nora O'Connor

Explicit content warning

11/02/22 • 36 min

There’s a moment in singer/songwriter Nora O’Connor’s new album My Heart when you realize just how special her talent is. By admission, the Chicago-based musician is more comfortable in the background, singing backup and playing various instruments with such Americana luminaries like Neko Case, the Decembrists, Robbie Fulks, among others. But for the first time in 18(!) years, Nora is back with a solo album—her third—called My Heart, released in early October. And it’s about midway through the fourth song on the album “Cambridge Cold” when you understand why My Heart is such an impeccable listen, and is exactly the kind of music the world needs. Indeed, Nora’s songs make you feel at home, no matter where you are. With a soothing voice reminiscent of Linda Ronstadt, Emmylou Harris, and Stevie Nicks, Nora has been an in-demand harmony vocalist for two decades, and when she sings you feel like everything is going to be okay. In this episode of For Songs, Nora provides a refreshing take on her music, her career, and how a decade-plus of supporting Neko Case and others made her want to dip back into her own musical well. We discuss about four songs from the album—Sore, Cambridge Cold, the album’s one cover It’s Alright Now, and Fare Thee Well. Nora walks us through how these songs came to be and how performing outdoor shows during the COVID lockdowns unlocked her creative juices. So sit back and listen in as Nora O’Connor joins me for this episode of For Songs!

Previous Episode

Episode 51: A Conversation with John McCutcheon

You think you’ve been productive during COVID? Maybe so, but did you write, record, and release three (that’s right, THREE!!!) albums in two-plus years? No? Well, my next guest did. In fact, folk singer John McCutcheon’s latest album Leap, released in September 2022, is not only his third album since 2020, but his 43rd of his career! John’s love of folk music began as a young teenager watching the 1963 March on Washington; after seeing Bob Dylan, Odetta, Joan Baez, and Peter, Paul, and Mary, he was hooked. He’s been writing and recording folk music since the mid-1970s, and hasn’t looked back. In this episode, we talk about four songs from Leap—The Ride, The Troubles, Sorryland, and Work. We take a deep-dive into his prolific songwriting process, how the material keeps flowing, and how he hopes to stay “useful” as long as possible. Listen in!

Next Episode

Episode 53: A Return Conversation with Lisset Diaz of the Sweet Lizzy Project

If you love music, if music changed your life, if music made you feel things you’ve never felt before, then this is the interview for you. Joining me once again is Lisset Diaz of the Cuban-by-way-of-Nashville-based Sweet Lizzy Project. We discuss the band’s newest and long-awaited album Pirate Radio/Radio Pirata. Simply stated, this is album for the ages. Pirate Radio is a concept album that traces the life and consequences of a fictional character in Cuba who goes to great lengths to listen to rock and roll music. In doing so, this character becomes almost an accidental prophet of sorts and at the end faces a life-or-death decision. While loosely based on their own story, Pirate Radio is, sadly, the story of all too many Cubans. We talk about four songs from the record—Pirate Radio, Black Water, Slip Away, and Shake the Walls. Like the album itself, this is an as emotional, powerful interview. Lisset opens up about the pressures and stresses she felt in writing and recording Pirate Radio, along with the consequences she and her band may face for simply sharing their beliefs. My only hope is that this interview does justice to their cause, so please sit back, buckle up, and welcome Lisset Diaz back to For Songs.