December 07, 2003
Publication title: Denver Post, vol. -, Iss. -, pg. –
Place: Unknown
Writer: Adam Shefter
Know her from Adam: Sarah McLachlan
Three-time Grammy winner Sarah McLachlan has the voice of an angel and a new album, “Afterglow.” She will be performing a five-song, acoustic set Wednesday night at the sold-out KBCO Holiday Concert at the Boulder Theater, with proceeds benefiting the Emergency Family Assistance Fund. On a recent visit to Boulder, the voice as pure as sound itself sounded off.
Adam Schefter: Where does the name “Afterglow” come from?
Sarah McLachlan: I was standing at the fridge with my manager Coleen Novak and it was just a word that she said. Afterglow. And I said: “Oh, that’s a great word. I should name my record Afterglow.” Then I spent the next six months trying to figure out how to justify it because it didn’t make any sense with any of the music really. It was more to do with my state of mind. After having a baby, you’re basking in the glow of that. I liked the meatiness of the word, too, because the first thing you think of is this soft, warm glow after the sun is gone. But I like the flip side of things. I like to think more of nuclear holocaust – this orange light that is kind of dark and gritty and shadows emerge.
AS: What did you do during the six years between this and your last album, Surfacing?
SM: Well, I toured for three years with Lilith Fair and with my own record. Then I took three years to take a break, to make a baby, to start a music school for kids in Vancouver. It’s a free music school for kids to learn guitar, piano, percussion, with a junior choir, a senior choir. We have about 400 kids there right now.
AS: What made you want to start the school?
SM: It was something I wanted to do for a really long time, partially because I got really lucky as a kid. I always had private music lessons. My parents really encouraged me with that. And it’s one of the first things that gets taken out of school programs, public school programs, and I think it’s incredibly important for kids to have access to music education because a lot of these kids don’t have any other opportunities. Now that it has been taken out of schools, I wanted to try to provide that for them. I just want to be able to give something back.
AS: Best part of motherhood?
SM: Everything. Perhaps the worst part of motherhood is the same as the best. It’s the depth of love that you had no idea you were capable of, which results in new depths of terror that you did not know you were capable of. If something happens to this little creature, it’s terrifying. The world becomes an even scarier place than it is. Every day is such a joy. She sees everything with new, fresh eyes and it allows me to be a kid again.
AS: Honest – ever had to go on stage with throw up on your left shoulder?
SM: No, she wasn’t a big spit upper – knock on wood when I say that.
AS: Most notable person you’ve met so far on your promotional tour?
SM: Shaquille O’Neal.
AS: And where’d you come up to on him?
SM: His nipple. And the funny thing is, it was in the Four Seasons hotel in Los Angeles and my little daughter starts looking up at this massive, massive man. And I picked her up so she could have a little closer perspective. And he was like, “Hey, I’m going to be famous one day. You can keep an eye on me. I’m going to be a famous basketball player. I’m going to be on the cover of magazines.”
AS: Did Shaquille say he’s a fan of yours?
SM: He did. He was very sweet. When we were introduced, he shook my hand and was like, “Oh, Sarah McLachlan! Wait a minute, I’ve got to give you a kiss!” And he kissed me. It was so sweet.
AS: Are you a basketball fan?
SM: I’m a big basketball fan. We’ve had season floor seats in Vancouver when we had the Grizzlies there. It was amazing. They were seats one and two, right on the floor.
AS: You’re from Canada and you’re not a hockey fan?
SM: Yeah, I like hockey, but I think basketball is more exciting. But can we do something about it stopping and starting all the time?
AS: Any reason Canada puts out so many famous female singers such as you, Joni Mitchell and k.d. lang?
SM: It makes sense. It’s a big, wide beautiful country. I think it would be odd if it didn’t inspire a lot of great artists.
AS: Where do you keep your Grammy Awards?
SM: They’re in my manager’s office, in the hallway.
AS: Worst case of writer’s block that you’ve had?
SM: With this last record. I don’t know if you should even call it writer’s block. I just thought everything I was doing was crap. I hated it all. And I had to walk away from it for a while just to gain some perspective.
AS: What enabled that perspective to hit you?
SM: Time. Just taking the time to leave it alone for a while. To quit pushing. That’s one of my unpleasant traits. I try to push things too far. Sometimes I don’t know when to walk away from something and just leave it alone for a while.
AS: What do you do when you get writer’s block?
SM: I bake cookies. Because you can achieve quick and tangible results, positive results, in a short period of time. It works.
AS: Favorite household chore?
SM: I don’t really like many household chores, but probably doing laundry. That is very satisfying because you have nice, clean-smelling clothes after the fact. But I can tell you this: I don’t like washing dishes, that’s for bloody sure.
AS: Your favorite CDs?
SM: Oh, that’s so hard. But my five: Peter Gabriel, So; Emmylou Harris, Wrecking Ball; Brian Eno, Thursday Afternoon; Talk Talk, Spirit of Eden; Tom Waits, Closing Time.
AS: Biggest problem this world faces?
SM: Ignorance. Lack of compassion. Lack of understanding. Xenophobia.
AS: Your most marked characteristic?
SM: My potty mouth? No, just kidding. I don’t know if this question should be answered by me but, my sunny disposition? I’m pretty (bleeping) sunny.
AS: When you did you know your voice was special?
SM: I guess when I got offered a record contract. I always knew that I was a good singer and I really loved doing it. But maybe it was the first time I played a gig because a lot of people really seemed to enjoy it, which was very nice affirmation.
AS: Your secret wish in life?
SM: Well it wouldn’t be secret if I told you, would it?
AS: Are we going to have to wait six years for your next album?
SM: Probably more. I’m going to be promoting this record for the next two years, playing live, doing tours. Then I’m probably going to have another kid. So it’ll probably be another six or seven years.
AS: What did your husband, drummer Ashwin Sood, say when you sang him the beautiful song “Push” that you wrote for him?
SM: He was very flattered. He kind of listened to the lyrics and went, “Um-hmm. Um-hmm.”
AS: Happiest you’ve ever been in your life?
SM: I would say now. I’m really happy. I’m really happy I have this record, and I’m proud of it that it’s everything I wanted it to be, that it’s doing well, and people are embracing it. I have a great kid, an awesome husband, life’s great. People say it just keeps getting better, and it’s true. I’ve loved every step of the way.
