On her new protest song “Tether,” anti-folk lifer Linda Draper deftly weaves together the mass traumas we’ve endured in the US in the last quarter-century: 9/11, the Great Recession, and COVID. Draper is getting set to release her new album Patience and Lipstick and told us more about the album’s title, and how her audience always informs her work.
While growing up in a musical household (her father is a classical guitar virtuoso who studied with Andres Segovia), Linda Draper listened to everything from Bach to “Bop” from an early age before moving on to writing her own songs and playing guitar.Since 2001, Draper has released numerous albums, toured the US and UK, and opened for acclaimed musicians such as Teddy Thompson, Melissa Ferrick, Luka Bloom, and Eilen Jewell. Draper has also seen her songs licensed for commercials and television.
Patience and Lipstick,” Draper’s upcoming new album, was produced by Jeff Eyrich, mixed by Grammy®-award winning engineer, Dae Bennett, and features performers David Mansfield (Strings), Jeff Eyrich (Bass), and Doug Yowell (Drums and Percussion). It is the inaugural release on the artist’s own label South Forty Records.
Explain the title of your album.
Patience and Lipstick was inspired by a conversation I had with a couple of married fans after a gig one night, Jack and Ivana. Jack responded with one word… “Patience.” (He is a dear man of few words). His wife, Ivana had a few more words of wisdom to share… “It’s true, Jack is very patient.” Ivana, who is a flight attendant who works long hours, explained to me how no matter how late it is when she gets home, he waits up and leaves the light on for her. “And Linda,” she continued, “I always carry a tube of lipstick in my purse. No matter how late it is, as soon as I turn the corner towards home, I reapply!”
“So, the secret to a long and happy marriage is patience and lipstick?!,” I thought, “You know, I think there’s a song in there somewhere.” That song led to the name of the album.
Does your album have an overarching theme?
Of being willing to wait for good things to come and being ready to run away with life, wherever it takes you. The recording journey for this album was a long one, with a few bumps in the road along the way, including me getting a (relatively mild) case of COVID. With everything being closed and recording together being very challenging, I learned to look at the whole process and where I was at in my life, in a different way. I had been given the gift of time. That is something I took for granted before. Instead of always looking to get to the next place I thought I was supposed to be, I learned to stop and take a closer look and listen to what was around me. That helped me to focus everything I had into this project and remember who I was writing it for: my fans (who inspired the title for it)!
Who would you love to collaborate with? why?
I would love to collaborate with Lucinda Williams in some way. She rocks. Her voice, songs and delivery, are so raw and real.
How do you manage having a good time at shows, but also trying to stay mentally and physically fit?
In addition to getting plenty of rest when I can, I will also get a good run in, at least 3-4 miles, a few times a week. That is the main thing I do to stay clear with my mind, body, and spirit. It alleviates my anxiety, uplifts my mood when I’m feeling moody, and helps strengthen my breathing, that supports whatever I’m singing.
What are some of the best venues you’ve played? Why?
City Winery (in NYC), Tarrytown Music Hall (Tarrytown, NY) and the Attucks Theatre (Norfolk, Virginia). City Winery because their sound, lighting and stage set up is perfect in every way. (And I love wine.) Tarrytown Music Hall and the Attucks Theatre are these beautiful historic theatres with such rich stories. The walls and stages resonate with so much character and grace. Also, the staff at these venues are so nice and respectful. They go out of their way to make sure that their artists are well taken care of (and fed!)
Patience and Lipstick will be released on January 21st, 2022 on the artist’s label, South Forty Records.