How did your music career develop?
My parents were both classical musicians. I started piano when I was 5 and drums when I was 10. I had my first rock band when I was a senior in high school, then quit when I was in college. I was a pretty serious student and didn’t want anything to interfere with my studies, until a dear friend said, “You can do both.” I started playing music again and moved back to Portland from Eugene, where I had attended the University of Oregon.
I found myself playing in bands and did some other things: I was a music teacher and worked at a nonprofit for at-risk youth. When one of the nonprofit jobs fell through, the Decemberists started doing really well and I was touring full-time. I played in a lot of different bands, and when touring times were slow I taught private lessons to kids in drumming and songwriting, in addition to teaching at schools.
Why did you move to the East Coast?
I had lived in Portland my whole life, except for those years in Eugene. When I traveled all over the world, having experiences in these other places made me feel like I wanted to live somewhere else. I was about to move to LA, because the scene there was pretty amazing and wonderful; creative people had moved down there. I moved to Providence instead because I fell in love, and he lives in Providence. He was an old friend and we had lost touch; we reconnected at a music festival in New York. I was in Paris for a month doing music for a festival and I felt very strongly for this person, so when I got back to Portland I packed my bags and hopped in the car with my dog and went.
What’s different about living in the East?
I love how all the cities are much closer together. New England is very charming. I love the Berkshires and upstate New York; the area around Kingston and New Paltz is incredibly beautiful. I leaped in feet-first and found a couple of bands to play with. I now tour with Death Vessel, from Providence, and my fiancé also plays with that band. I also tour with Califone, based in LA. When I’m at home I teach lessons a couple of times a week.
Is art becoming more a focus than music?
The formula is changing. I definitely am doing more art and want that to continue to increase. I’m getting into grantwriting to fund my ideas, and I’ve decided I’m going to be much pickier about touring. I’m creating my own music and don’t want to be on the road as much. I want to focus and pare down and dig deeper into a couple of things. I’m pretty good at balancing it all. When I was younger and thought I had to choose, I realized I don’t want to give up anything. It’s just a matter of being consistent and organized.
You look a lot younger than your 45 years.
I just like being challenged and adventurous, and I like making things and putting things into the world. I love doing everything I do and can’t imagine not doing those things. I’m pretty driven. It’s important to realize we shouldn’t give up our own power and we’re in charge of our choices. People have to learn to get from Point A to B and avoid sinking into the muck.
A lot of my friends are creative types, who do a multitude of things. I started support groups with some of them and we talk about organization and grantwriting, so we can help each other. A lot of people get caught up in life’s drama, which prevents them from fulfilling their deepest dreams. Obviously there are struggles, and sometimes I’m completely overwhelmed. I’m learning what’s important in life is keeping your perspective.
Has it been difficult supporting yourself as a musician/artist?
I’ve had people ask me advice about making it as a musician. You have to stay with your goal and can’t think about being famous; this is something you look at out of the corner of your eye. If you just make your work, enjoy it and work hard at it, a lot of time the success and fame follow, because you’re so in the moment of making the thing and dedicated.
A lot of people have some social or political issue they’re into, and I do that with my music and art. An artist like Kara Walker is amazing. Not wanting fame or success means you’re focusing on the meat of the thing, the core of what you’re doing.
I have money coming from many different sources, but I also live frugally and am not into materialism. I’m happy as long as I have enough money to eat. I love to travel, but it’s not that expensive; you can do a lot with very little. I don’t eat out a lot. I don’t like to buy stuff – in fact, I’m trying to get rid of stuff. I live project-to-project, and teaching provides stability.
Rachel Blumberg “I Dreamt You Were a Horseshoe Crab” opening reception, Friday, October 10, 7-9 p.m., art exhibition through November 2, Team Love Ravenhouse Gallery, 11 Church Street, New Paltz, www.tl-rh.com.
