When Judith Owen takes on a new song, you can be sure: there will be a beautiful melody, a witty and very human conversation about life. In the new single “That’s Why I Love My Baby” the singer with subtle humor and warmth reflects on love – without glossy postcards, routine declarations and obligatory bouquets on schedule. Inspired by a real family story and the “anti-Valentine’s” views of her husband, she shares everyday observations in a touching and ironic manner. In the spring of this year, Judith is releasing a new album, ahead – an international tour and sold-out concerts. In this conversation Judith talks about new music, touring, love without clichés and about why sometimes 364 ordinary days are more important than one festive one.
Nice to meet you, Judith! I listened to your new single “That’s Why I Love My Baby” – it’s charming and has a subtle sense of humour. I especially liked the story about how the song was born from your husband’s complete disdain for “Hallmark holidays” like Valentine’s Day. Could you tell me how many such Valentine’s Days you two had to go through before you decided to write a song about it, and what his reaction was when he heard that his attitude to these holidays had been immortalized in music?
We’re both incredibly stubborn people, I’m very emotional, he’s highly cerebral, so I’d say it was about 10 years of arguments and disappointment every Feb 14th, before I realized that there was no changing him and why would I want to anyway? I suddenly realized that I was doing the cliched “you’re perfect, now change” thing. One day the penny dropped and I thought “he loves, supports, and believes in everything I do.. so who needs roses?” He’s a big fan of this song, btw, that’s the winning part of our relationship..our mutual love of and need for music and humour.
In “That’s Why I Love My Baby”, on one hand, you can hear irony, and on the other – such sincerity. You talk about true love so honestly and warmly that one wants to laugh and at the same time reflect. How do you manage to do that?
There’s a phrase I use all the time… “Both things are true”. I view life as being equally beautiful and painful, often at the same time. I think it’s what I do in every song that I write.. talk about the constant paradox. You could call me the queen of the bitter sweet.. I’d love that.
The song hits the mark – many will recognize their own “Valentine’s Days” in it. Have you ever laughed at your own lines right at the piano, thinking: “How perfectly I guessed it!”?
I laugh internally every time I play it. It sends me right back to all the (now) hilarious melt-downs I used to have thinking he’d come round to my way of thinking. One Valentine’s Day I once locked myself in the bedroom and sobbed extra loud, when no card or flowers had arrived. After hours of sulking I decided to come downstairs and “forgive him”, just to find he’d gone out for dinner!
The album “Come On And Get It” became for you a powerful point of attraction – both in the response of listeners and the press, and in the energy with which you returned to the stage. Now a new release is ahead this spring: what stories, states, or themes became your foundation while creating it?
It was a celebration of the oft forgotten badass ladies of 40’s/50’s jazz and blues who so influenced my young life, as a musician and person. This new album ‘Suit ‘Yourself’, celebrates my own graduation, into being a singular, unapologetic artist myself, and features my original songs, as well as my arrangements and personal interpretations of classics. And there’s a definite theme..one I think we all relate to right now..finding joy in the face of adversity. (Told you I was bitter sweet!). It’s something New Orleans, my American home, knows all about. Celebrating the moment you have, ‘cos who knows what’s coming round the corner. It’s no wonder I moved there, it’s the living paradox! Solo at the piano, with my New Orleans band ‘The Gentlemen Callers’, with the JO Big Band, and duetting with featured guests, it’s every aspect of me…searching for joy in the struggle, the eternal paradox.
The new single opens for you a large touring year in the UK. How do you imagine the perfect evening of this tour – what should happen on stage and in the audience for you to say: “That’s what it was all for”?
Anytime you’re in front of an appreciative audience you know exactly what it’s all for. It’s a conversation between the musicians and with the audience, the ultimate shared experience, for me anyway. I want to entertain, I want to make people smile, and laugh, I want them moving in their seats, I want them thrilled and also moved to tears. I want them to walk out elated, knowing they’ve been a part of a human experience that cannot be replicated, a moment that was for them and them alone. That’s the joy of “in the moment” live performance, something AI will never really get a handle on.
Sold-out on February 8that Pizza Express in Soho – a place where the greats have played! For you, are such legendary venues a challenge or an ideal stage?
Selling out Feb 8th so quickly was incredible, and speaks of the UK base that I’m SO looking forward to sharing this new music with. It’s a really intimate room (most of the best jazz ones are), where the audience can’t help but feel like they’re part of the show, and in this case they are. I don’t just sing and play and perform. I also love to engage with the audience Im an entertainer first and foremost, and I take that very seriously, being the full package. I love being with my band on a small stage where we all can really feel each other. it’s real and raw and for jazz it’s utterly brilliant. I’m sure all the legendary artists that played this room have felt the same as I do. I can’t wait.
You’ve long been one of your own to the British audience. Is there something special in its reaction that makes it different from the American or French audience?
There’s nothing like a British audience, who have all the cultural references, understand my humour, love my rudeness!
It always feels like an incredible home-coming. Thankfully, I have an incredible response everywhere I play. Again it’s about being an entertainer, and that includes speaking (no matter how badly),and swearing in the host language, and bringing the joy..that’s the universal language. But there’s no joy like playing to the home team!
Judith, you’re an artist who always looks confident and free. But what makes you feel vulnerable?
I’m a worrier, and always nervous pre-show, (you’d be a fool not to be, or just not care enough).The confidence you see is the armour I’ve built over the years as an artist and performer. Who wants to watch someone melt down on stage? Now I AM that person, inside and out.. unapologetic, and free to musically go where ever I want. These days, the minute I open my mouth to sing I’m in the zone, adrenalized and feeling like I own the stage. It’s all down to the wiring you get in life. Most people would rather stick forks in their eyes than get up on stage and bear all, whereas I only feel truly alive and comfortable when I’m performing on stage.
When you’re not on stage and not at the piano – what brings you the same joy as music?
Nothing ever feels quite like that, but over the years “real life” has felt equally important to me. Cuddling my dogs, whilst my husband cooks dinner, comes awfully close, and enjoying one of our endless meals in New Orleans with our eclectic group of friends, makes for a sweet life. Spending time with my beloved sister wandering around art museums is another of my favorite past times. I almost considered giving it all up after 2 weeks at a Botswana elephant sanctuary. I could have stayed there forever..singing to them of course!
And finally, Judith, if you could send one little message to everyone who listens to your music this year – something from the heart – what would it be?
Celebrate life ..with friends, with family, with food, with music…
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