The 56-year-old singer-songwriter talks with Cliff Chenfeld—a former music exec who signed her to his label for several records—about her more than 30 years playing, getting older, and more.
Dar has played a pivotal role in my life since 1999, when my son died and I first discovered her music. I've seen her more times than I can count, chatted with her, and found her to be the kindest person. She's had such an impact in my life that one of her lines is an epigraphic in my forthcoming memoir (with permission of course). I post The End of the Summer most Labor Day weekends as it captures that melancholy we all feel (especially those of us who are parents and/or work in education) as we move into the new season.
"Iowa" is a song I return to again and again and again, since college, thorough my thirties, and I'm sure for decades more.
Isn't it funny how we can feel old at any age? I love Dar's description of feeling old at 25 because of being dumped for a twenty-year-old. My two-year-old is now one of the big kids at daycare, and he seems old next to the babies.
A classmate of mine at Vassar made me a mix tape in the 90s with Dar songs and I was hooked. She’s brilliant. Thank you for this. I’ll be listening to it tomorrow ⭐️
Dar’s music is the marker for so many key moments in my own life--it was beautiful to wake up to this interview! Her comments on bodies in dance remind me of a little book called The Line & the Dot.
Dar, you really were "spot on" about so many things you wrote/write about in your songs. I truly, loved listening to you and Cliff reminisce. "When I Was a Boy," gave me strength as a young woman, then I had sons, and the song took on an even more powerful meaning.
I cannot wait to listen to this tomorrow. I am so happy she is going back on tour! I have been following Dar since college in the 90s and have seen in several states as several versions of myself. She is a fabulous entertainer and her song After All is hands down the best song ever.
I’ve been on many of her songwriting retreats! And just got to see her and songwriting community last weekend so it was lovely to see this pop up today. A meeting of worlds.
When I was a Boy, played on repeat in the early 90’s.
Still!
So good.
Dar has played a pivotal role in my life since 1999, when my son died and I first discovered her music. I've seen her more times than I can count, chatted with her, and found her to be the kindest person. She's had such an impact in my life that one of her lines is an epigraphic in my forthcoming memoir (with permission of course). I post The End of the Summer most Labor Day weekends as it captures that melancholy we all feel (especially those of us who are parents and/or work in education) as we move into the new season.
<3 <3 <3
Haha that’s an epigraph and no never have I once called it an epigraphic. Thank you Substack for making me look a little foolish. 😂
"Iowa" is a song I return to again and again and again, since college, thorough my thirties, and I'm sure for decades more.
Isn't it funny how we can feel old at any age? I love Dar's description of feeling old at 25 because of being dumped for a twenty-year-old. My two-year-old is now one of the big kids at daycare, and he seems old next to the babies.
Yes, it's all so relative.
A classmate of mine at Vassar made me a mix tape in the 90s with Dar songs and I was hooked. She’s brilliant. Thank you for this. I’ll be listening to it tomorrow ⭐️
Dar’s music is the marker for so many key moments in my own life--it was beautiful to wake up to this interview! Her comments on bodies in dance remind me of a little book called The Line & the Dot.
So glad.
I have loved that book from childhood through to the present!
You are the first person I have ever found who knows that book!
My earliest romance lol
I loved that book! Had forgotten it. I wonder if I could find a copy!
I can't wait to watch/listen. I love The Honesty Room so much. I can't even talk about "The Babysitter's Here" without crying.
That would be an epigraph. 🙄😎
That would be an epigraph. 🙄😎
Dar, you really were "spot on" about so many things you wrote/write about in your songs. I truly, loved listening to you and Cliff reminisce. "When I Was a Boy," gave me strength as a young woman, then I had sons, and the song took on an even more powerful meaning.
I cannot wait to listen to this tomorrow. I am so happy she is going back on tour! I have been following Dar since college in the 90s and have seen in several states as several versions of myself. She is a fabulous entertainer and her song After All is hands down the best song ever.
Lovely to see (and hear) this. Beautiful, searching lyrics and acoustic guitar...perfection!
I’ve been on many of her songwriting retreats! And just got to see her and songwriting community last weekend so it was lovely to see this pop up today. A meeting of worlds.
I want to go on one of her retreats! (I'm a fledgling songwriter.)
I adore Dar. You're Aging Well is a song that has traveled and grown with me my whole life, so its awesome to hear her talk about it.
Dar Williams...😍 Thank you for this lovely interview!