I am fortunate to be connected to an ever-widening circle of creative friends who are finding big success as they live their dreams in the arts. Today, I talked with a friend (and fellow Bucknell University alum) who is a bonafide rock star.
Kristen Ellis-Henderson is a founding member, guitarist, and songwriter for the alt-country rock band ANTIGONE RISING. The all-female band, known for its catchy songwriting, top-notch musicianship, and relentless touring, has shared the stage with Aerosmith, The Rolling Stones, Dave Matthews Band, Rob Thomas, and Joan Jett. For years, the band has been a favorite here in the Cadigan household, where we are currently rocking out to their latest single, "That Was the Whiskey."
Kristen Ellis-Henderson is a founding member, guitarist, and songwriter for the alt-country rock band ANTIGONE RISING. The all-female band, known for its catchy songwriting, top-notch musicianship, and relentless touring, has shared the stage with Aerosmith, The Rolling Stones, Dave Matthews Band, Rob Thomas, and Joan Jett. For years, the band has been a favorite here in the Cadigan household, where we are currently rocking out to their latest single, "That Was the Whiskey."
Kristen's creativity doesn't stop with her music. She is also the author of TIMES TWO: TWO WOMEN IN LOVE AND THE HAPPY FAMILY THEY MADE, a memoir she wrote with her wife, Sarah Kate Ellis-Henderson, to chronicle their journey when they each got pregnant at the same time and gave birth to their son and daughter.
A songwriter, musician, band member, author, parent, soccer coach -- Kristen is one busy rock star and I am so happy we were able to catch up today with this fun Q&A about the creative life.
Hey Kristen, thanks for being here. When did you know you wanted to be a musician? When did you know you were one?
I always thought I was a musician, even before I probably was. My sister and I were always in a band, even if we were the only ones in it, from the time I was two years old!
Who or what inspired you as a child … as a teenager?
As a really young kid, I loved listening to Casey Kasem's "Top 40 Countdown." I would have my cassette deck at the ready to bootleg record Melissa Manchester's "Don't Cry Out Loud" or Gloria Gaynor's "I Will Survive" or Dire Straits' "Sultans of Swing." By the time I was a teenager, it was all about Pat Benatar and Van Halen.
What creative work most recently inspired you?
An Australian singer/songwriter who goes by "Passenger" is my latest inspiration. He's who I listen to while I re-paint my house.
The most underrated creative (writer, musician, artist) is …
I guess I can't say "Antigone Rising" ... (Robb's note: so I'll say it for you, Kristen!)
What was the best creative advice you ever received?
Grammy-winning songwriter Julie Gold ("From a Distance") taught me her mantra: "They're Wrong." And that was the best advice I ever received. Of course, when we got our record deal, I put that mantra on hold for a little while.
The last concert I saw was ...
Pat Benatar, about two weeks ago!
The next book on my reading pile is …
Dr. Seuss's OH, THE PLACES YOU'LL GO... tonight at bedtime.
The album I must have on a desert island …
The Beatles ABBEY ROAD
Does The Great American Novel exist (yet)? If so, what is it?
I don't think I'm qualified to answer this question--and the answer is probably fairly subjective. I love CATCHER IN THE RYE, but honestly, the most influential books in my life were probably all of Beverly Cleary's RAMONA books.
What creative work might we be surprised to find on your bookshelf, iPod, or TiVo?
I love anything written by Maeve Binchy. My good friend Gretchen was her publicist for a while. It always cracked her up to picture me backstage reading TARA ROAD or EVENING CLASS while we were out on tour with The Allman Brothers and The Rolling Stones. She said that was the furthest demographic they expected to reach!
The book I really should have read by now is …
THE BIBLE?
Facebook and Twitter: friend or foe to a creative?
Yes.
In addition to writing and performing, how do you express your creativity?
I play and coach soccer. My choice of socks may be a form of expression, as are the drills I come up with for the four year olds. We've found soccer and Hula-Hoops are natural mates.
The song I sing most often with my kids is ...
My kids and I write rock operas all day long. We "sing-speak" to each other. So, depending on whatever we're talking about on a particular day, that's our song. We also love The Beatles, Elton John, and ANNIE.
The most difficult thing about the life of a creative is …
I think part of being creative is working around the difficult.
If I could go back in time to our very first concert, I would tell the band ...
"Buckle Up."
I always thought I was a musician, even before I probably was. My sister and I were always in a band, even if we were the only ones in it, from the time I was two years old!
Who or what inspired you as a child … as a teenager?
As a really young kid, I loved listening to Casey Kasem's "Top 40 Countdown." I would have my cassette deck at the ready to bootleg record Melissa Manchester's "Don't Cry Out Loud" or Gloria Gaynor's "I Will Survive" or Dire Straits' "Sultans of Swing." By the time I was a teenager, it was all about Pat Benatar and Van Halen.
What creative work most recently inspired you?
An Australian singer/songwriter who goes by "Passenger" is my latest inspiration. He's who I listen to while I re-paint my house.
The most underrated creative (writer, musician, artist) is …
I guess I can't say "Antigone Rising" ... (Robb's note: so I'll say it for you, Kristen!)
What was the best creative advice you ever received?
Grammy-winning songwriter Julie Gold ("From a Distance") taught me her mantra: "They're Wrong." And that was the best advice I ever received. Of course, when we got our record deal, I put that mantra on hold for a little while.
The last concert I saw was ...
Pat Benatar, about two weeks ago!
The next book on my reading pile is …
Dr. Seuss's OH, THE PLACES YOU'LL GO... tonight at bedtime.
The album I must have on a desert island …
The Beatles ABBEY ROAD
Does The Great American Novel exist (yet)? If so, what is it?
I don't think I'm qualified to answer this question--and the answer is probably fairly subjective. I love CATCHER IN THE RYE, but honestly, the most influential books in my life were probably all of Beverly Cleary's RAMONA books.
What creative work might we be surprised to find on your bookshelf, iPod, or TiVo?
I love anything written by Maeve Binchy. My good friend Gretchen was her publicist for a while. It always cracked her up to picture me backstage reading TARA ROAD or EVENING CLASS while we were out on tour with The Allman Brothers and The Rolling Stones. She said that was the furthest demographic they expected to reach!
The book I really should have read by now is …
THE BIBLE?
Facebook and Twitter: friend or foe to a creative?
Yes.
In addition to writing and performing, how do you express your creativity?
I play and coach soccer. My choice of socks may be a form of expression, as are the drills I come up with for the four year olds. We've found soccer and Hula-Hoops are natural mates.
The song I sing most often with my kids is ...
My kids and I write rock operas all day long. We "sing-speak" to each other. So, depending on whatever we're talking about on a particular day, that's our song. We also love The Beatles, Elton John, and ANNIE.
The most difficult thing about the life of a creative is …
I think part of being creative is working around the difficult.
If I could go back in time to our very first concert, I would tell the band ...
"Buckle Up."
ANTIGONE RISING is founding member (and Kristen's sister) Cathy Henderson (guitar/vocals), Kristen Henderson (bass/vocals), Dena Tauriello (drums), and Nini Camps (lead vocals/guitar). You can usually find them out on the road -- and always at antigonerising.com. Check their tour dates and go see them live -- you'll be in for a treat. Be sure to grab "That Was the Whiskey" over on iTunes, along with their terrific album, 23 RED. And for more about Kristen, visit her blog "Hangin' with Hendo" for her musings on a bunch of topics and pick up her memoir TIMES TWO for a candid and moving account of pregnancy and parenthood.
Thanks for stopping by today, Kristen -- always great to get a peek behind-the-scenes of creative lives. (And for the record: no, I did not get the title of my debut novel PHOENIXVILLE RISING from the band's name. Although I was often listening to their music while I wrote. So, maybe ...)
Thanks for stopping by today, Kristen -- always great to get a peek behind-the-scenes of creative lives. (And for the record: no, I did not get the title of my debut novel PHOENIXVILLE RISING from the band's name. Although I was often listening to their music while I wrote. So, maybe ...)
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