Deborah Coleman

By Alex Teitz and Karen Weis

Deborah Coleman is part of that new generation of blues artists. A four-time W.C. Handy nominee, Coleman performs blues with a straightforward style that flows through an audience. Coleman took a break from music to raise a family, but when she returned, she skyrocketed. Her latest album is Livin’ On Love. For more information visit Blind Pig Records at www.blindpigrecords.com

FEMMUSIC: Can you describe your songwriting technique?

DC: Let’s see, basically what I do when I’m writing songs is, uh, to decide–first decide-whether I’m gonna work from the bottom of the tune, the middle of the tune. Meaning I come up with a melody line first or come up with the groove part of the song first. Make that decision and then once I get something going there, I start to focus in on the lyrical content. I usually have some sort of idea what the song’s going to be about before I do it, but that’s basically how I, you know, approach it.

FEMMUSIC: My next few questions are about Livin’ on Love. And first question is, what was the biggest challenge making that CD?

DC: The biggest challenge for me making that CD…I think for myself basically staying in a frame of mind to get my ideas across the way I wanted to get them across. That’s probably the most difficult part of making any record. I went in with ideas and after the producer and I get together and, you know, decide what’s probably best for a particular tune, then the main thing is staying focused. Staying focused on the project at hand and that’s how we do that. (laughs)

FEMMUSIC: What was the best experience making this CD?

DC: For me, always working with the producer and coming up with ideas on the spot. We do a lot of spontaneous things sometimes and once we lay down our basic tracks and then we listen, it’s “oh well lets try this here, try that here, try this here. ” That’s one of the most fun parts of it for me, is basically working with the producer and trying to get new ideas and things down.

FEMMUSIC: And how was it working with Jim Gaines?

DC: Oh man, excellent! I worked with him on a project before, and so this had been my second time working with him. And the guy is, he’s just so full of ideas and he’s so creative. And that’s what I like in a producer, so we had an excellent time making this record.

FEMMUSIC: I was reading in your bio that you took some time off from doing music to raise a family and then came back. And I was wondering what were the biggest challenges of returning to music?

DC: Well for me I had to just basically get back into the loop. See what was going on, what was happening. Making arrangements with my family and friends and everybody, telling them, “Look, I’m gonna go back and do this.” (laughs) I mean, they all stood behind me and they were all there for me, but I think I shocked them a little bit. So once my daughter got old enough, I just still had the bug to perform and play music, so that’s what I did. That was the biggest thing, getting my family and friends involved. Because I was going to need some help to do this, and they came on board. So, got nothing but good to say about it.

FEMMUSIC: What one thing would you like to change about the music industry itself?

DC: I wish some of the newer acts, especially in blues, could get more radio airplay, more radio airtime, have access to more commercial stations. That would be something I would definitely try to incite a riot over. (laughs) There’s a lot of good talent out here, a lot of good songs that really aren’t being heard, or don’t have the accessibility right now. Hopefully that’ll change in the future.

FEMMUSIC: As a woman in the music industry, have you been discriminated against?

DC: You know what, I don’t know if I have or not. (laughs) I don’t think I’ve had to deal with anything more than any other female artist out there. I’m obviously in a male-dominated genre. I guess that’s with all music. There’s more men playing than women, period. So discriminated against, no. I think I’ve had some great opportunities come my way and I’ve pretty much had the support of just about everybody. So I really can’t do a whole lot of complaining.

FEMMUSIC: What advice would you give to someone just starting out in this business?

DC: Just pursue your dream, keep going. Persistence is the name of this game. When a lot of other artists have given up and dropped out, you’ll still be there. So that’s the only thing I can really say, just keep doing it. The number one thing you don’t want to do is quit when you’re not ready.