Where were you at in your music career when you had your first child? Was there much discussion about how that life choice would affect your career within the music/ entertainment industry? 

I was pregnant with my first child when I first went into the recording studio to record my first songs. At the time I was still only making music as a hobby and didn’t know that it would become such a central part of my life. Because of this there wasn’t any discussion about how having children would have a big impact on how I would approach making music in the future. That was 11 years ago now. 

What changed for you when you became a parent in this industry? (or faced when your children were younger if relevant)? 

Raising children takes so much time, energy, and financial resource, so there’s no question what changed the most, especially when my kids were the ages of 0-5, was finding the space and energy for my creative part, and also knowing how much money I could now spend on making music when balancing with family responsibilities. ◦ 

What is one change (big or small) within the industry that could make a positive impact for working parents? ◦ 

More funding opportunities specifically for working parents in the industry. ◦ 

Finish this sentence: “Being a parent in music is…” 

Being a parent in music is vulnerable and challenging, and also really meaningful. It’s vulnerable because I have found becoming a mother has been one of the most vulnerable experiences in my life so to combine that vulnerability with the vulnerability that also comes with being an artist can sometimes feel like a lot together. 

It’s challenging because parenting is such a relentless commitment that demands a lot of practical and emotional energy, so knowing how to show up for that role, and at the same time also want to pour energy and commitment into our music career can feel really challenging to balance both. 

It’s meaningful because I know that becoming a parent has made me a more humble and authentic human being which I know is helping me show up more authentically as an artist, both in my songwriting and when I perform. I think the vulnerability is a strength that I am grateful for. 

I also appreciate my creative part more than ever now that I am a parent. I am always so grateful for the moments I get to create music and feel into such a meaningful part of myself that lives alongside such a huge role as a mother. And as my kids get older and are able to attend my shows and listen the music I create, I can see how it also brings them meaning and is inspiring them to be creative. Both my girls (now 10 & 7) love singing and playing piano. My older daughter once said to me as she was going to sleep one night after a show she came to where some of her friends also came, she said “I am so lucky to have a mom that makes music”. My heart literally burst in that moment. 

How do you find support and community with other working parents in or out of the music industry? 

I haven’t actually found community within the music industry with other working parents but I have lots of working parents I surround myself with that are juggling work and parenting. 

What’s one specific example of an organization/venue/company doing something great to help support working parents? 

The work you guys are doing seems pretty great!! 

What could a music event (festival, conference, etc.), do or provide to make it easier for you to participate? 

Provide funding so that we aren’t paying for everything out of pocket. ◦ 

What advice would you give to someone in music who’s thinking about becoming a parent? (Could be submitted in video) 

Be prepared to feel a lot of different feelings and emotions all at the same time!! So much love and gratitude for your child , being a parent, and all that it is bringing to your life and even your music. And at the very same time can feel trapped, frustrated, exhausted, overwhelmed, and even wishing you weren’t a parent so you had more time and space and energy for your music. All the feelings are valid and OK! Accepting that it will be challenging and vulnerable and meaningful helps a lot. ◦ Can you shout out another music mama doing great things? Brandi Carlile comes to mind