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Way back in February, we went down to Memphis for our other job to commune with all the other folk music nuts at the International Folk Alliance Conference. While there, we stumbled into a late night songwriters-in-the-round showcase that was taking place in someone's hotel room around about midnight, or one of the hours between it and sunrise. It was all a big blur, to be honest. But one of the artists that struck our fancy was one Natalia Zukerman of New York City. Zukerman will be joining forces with Adrianne (of Atlanta, Georgia) this Wednesday to bring some of that swell East Coast action to our little Pacific outpost. They'll set up shop at the High Dive at 9 p.m., and play until someone shuts them down. We recommend you go, and we bet Zukerman would recommend the same. We didn't ask her that when we got her on the phone last week, but we did ask her other things. Read on...
You’re coming to Seattle with Adrianne, and it looks like you’re touring together in California a little bit. Have you two toured together before?
You know, we met in Cancun. We both did an Olivia Club Med back in May. We just played a little bit. She was in Atlanta. She’s got a songwriter series out there at Eddie’s Attic in Decatur. So I went there and we got to hang out a little bit, but this is the first time we’re going to be touring together.
Are you going to be playing together at all, or are you doing your own separate sets?
Yeah, Seattle is the last show of our ten-day run together. We’ll definitely be accompanying each other on harmonies and guitar parts. I have a lap steel guitar that I’ll be playing, too. Probably, by the end, I suspect we’ll just be up there together the whole time. It’s kind of fun. We did some co-writing together when I was visiting her in Atlanta. So we’ll see. We’ve got a lot of car rides [to work it out], a lot of long drives.
Is that something you prefer to playing alone?
I’ve been really trying to do my tours either with a full band [or another songwriter]. I put a new record out called Brand New Frame on Willy Porter’s label, Weasel Records. [That's] really full and it has a great band on it. it’s hard to tour financially and logistically with a full band, so I’m lucky to have these great songwriter friends who are such wonderful musicians. We can collaborate and help each other out. It’s much more fun.
What was it like working with Willy Porter? Was he on this record?
Yeah, he produced it and played a lot, and he sings on it too. It was just great having him [involved]. It was the first time I’ve ever worked with a producer. We met because we’re on the same booking agency roster. We actually met in Eugene almost three years ago now—gosh! Anyhow, but I opened for him and did a bunch of touring with him. He has this great studio out in Milwaukee, where he lives. He invited me to come make a record there. and it just took off from there. We put it out on his label so that it could be more of a real collaborative effort. I just got to play a bunch of shows with him out in Minnesota, and he’s super fun. That was a blast.
I see you’re a finalist for the Cayamo cruise [a music cruise leaving from Miami in February, featuring Lyle Lovett, Patty Griffin, Indigo Girls, Shawn Colvin, Brandi Carlile, and a host of other singer-songwriters]…
No, I didn’t get it!
Oh, you didn’t get it?
No, my friend Edie Carey got it. She’s awesome. It was really cool to get nominated. I didn’t even know I was up for it, so it was fun to be in the running. It’s one of those examples of the power of the internet—I was out on tour when I got the notice that I was going to be a finalist. So I did a blast to my email list, and they voted. It looks like a really fun cruise. I don’t know, maybe next year...
Are you familiar with Seattle? Have you been here a lot?
Yeah, and my friend Kym Tuvim lives in Tacoma. We’ve done some touring together. I’ve never been to the High Dive, though. I guess I was at the Triple Door last time I was in town. That time, I opened for whats-his-nuts [inaudible] at the Triple Door.
Are there places that you like to go when you come here?
You know, there’s so much good sushi. I definitely have sushi. I love to take the ferry out to Bainbridge Island. I’m sure it’s stuff you guys cringe at. But someone from New York…when I’m on the West Coast, I like to get as much outdoor time and good food time as I can get. I love Pike’s Market. It’s such a cool town. I love Seattle.
How long have you been out [on the road this time]?
Well, this is my full-time job. I don’t even know the answer to that question anymore. I’m pretty much on tour all the time. Since the record came out in May, I’ve been on tour. I have a break in December. I’m a mural painter, so I’m going to be painting a mural project where I live. I have small breaks a couple days here and there. Otherwise, I’m on the road full time. I’ll meet Adrianne out in San Diego on Thursday…no Wednesday. We’ll play San Diego, L.A., and the Bay Area, and then we’ll fly up to Portland and play Portland and Seattle. It’s a ten-day run and we have one day off.
What do you do on your days off?
I travel [laughs]. This is a funny run. A friend who’s such a West Coast-o-phile was like Woo! You get to go to the West Coast! and I was like, well yeah, but we have such a crazy schedule. So much driving. I try to get to the West Coast once a year to just hang out. I used to live in the Bay Area, so I like to come out just for a couple days to visit people because, being on tour, I don't get to visit much. This is a full time job. If you’re not playing a show or getting ready to play a show or doing an interview, you’re driving somewhere. It’s still my favorite job that I can think of that I could do. But there’s certainly not enough time to visit friends enough, so I like to go out [there when I can].
When you’re not on tour, do you have a hard time adjusting to being off the road? Or do you just jump right into "normal" life?
Sometimes, yes, with my community and my friends…currently I don’t have a partner, but when I did that was really difficult. But, I love being at home. Usually by the time I get home, I’m just so tired. And then, honestly, after a few days, I’m ready to go out and do it again. I’m trying to find a balance when I’m not on the road. That’s what’s most challenging. I like to exercise and eat well and sleep, and all those things that are difficult when you’re traveling. There isn’t that much difference in my daily routine except that, when I’m home, I try not to get in the car at all. I still play my guitar every day, but I try not to use gas.
Are you doing anything in terms of the environment? Some artists are buying carbon credits or offsetting things in other ways, changing the way they print...
Yeah I’m a member of that carbon footprint thing. I have a sticker on my car. I don’t really know what they do, but it’s certainly something, I guess. Traveling with somebody else definitely helps when we’re not driving separate vehicles. I’ve actually taken the train a couple of times recently to play shows locally. I mean, it’s a pain in the ass with all my stuff. But, every little way that I can [help]…certainly when I don’t need to burn the fossil fuels, I don’t. I would love to get a hybrid at some point, but I drive a pretty fuel-efficient Honda. It’s definitely a funny time to be driving around the world.
One last thing: What’s your favorite sandwich?
[laughs] I just had a corned beef Reuben yesterday at a Jewish deli. It was pretty orgasmic. But it’s a funny thing. The West Coast-East Coast sandwich is such a different beast. It took mea while to like the East Coast [sandwich]. It’s just like bread, mustard, and tons of meat. And the West Coast, you’ve got your olive tapenade pesto blahdy blah and your sundried tomatoes, and your everything. And I like that too. Anything that has a lot of condiments, and the more stuff the better, really. You’ve gotta toast the bread no matter what you’re doing. As long as it has some kind of melted cheese, I think you’re good.
Well, thanks, Natalia. Now I’m hungry. At cheese, my stomach just growled.
[laughs] Right!?
Natalia Zukerman promo photo © Bryna Gootkind
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