"Paula Cole's Online Transcripts"

Paula Cole: Thank you!
Question: When did you first realize that you had an outstanding singing voice?
Paula Cole: I was always a natural little canary. My mom insists that I sang before I spoke. But, it took years of convincing that I had a "great" voice. I was very shy. Thank God for the encouragement of music teachers.
Question: Did you set a particular artistic challenge for yourself on this album?
Paula Cole: First of all, I wanted to be the best singer I could possibly be. So, I stopped my recreational pot smoking and took voice lessons with a fantastic voice teacher! I feel it's my best vocal performances ever. Secondly, I feel the songwriting is a little bit more mature. I feel there's more space in the songwriting, and it allows the groove to shine more. I wanted to acknowledge the band, and I wanted to honor my roots music influences.
Question: Is there a specific band you listen to so that you feel peace?
Paula Cole: I put on different music for different moods. For instance, in the morning I love to listen to the Tellaise Singers or Cesaria Evora. If I really want to get motivated I put on Michael Jackson's "Off the Wall." These are just examples.
Question: What inspired you to be a singer?
Paula Cole: To me, music is the universal language. Music is really my first language. I feel I can express more in a melody than I can in English. But, I guess, when it came time to graduate from high school and I decided to go into music, that was my first commitment.
Question: What kinds of things did you do before you became famous, and what do you like to do in your spare time?
Paula Cole: I know it sounds really boring, but I've been singularly obsessed with music my whole life. I think in order to succeed in such a difficult and competitive profession, you have to give it your all. There can't be anything else. But, I do love some other things. I love animals. I have two cats. I love to garden or to do little carpentry things around the house. I like to read. I like to go on walks and do yoga. I like to be with friends... normal things.
Question: What is your favorite song that you sing?
Paula Cole: From the new material on the new album, the very last song is called "God Is Watching." That song is so fun to perform live with the band, because it's really high energy. I also really let go and dance all over the stage. So, that's currently my favorite song to sing.
Question: When is your big tour starting?
Paula Cole: Right now I'm doing mostly promotion, which means TV shows, select small club dates, select cities, interviews. I just returned from Europe because they also want to hear some Paula Cole over there, too! I'll be doing a proper tour in the new year. Possibly spring. It's not confirmed yet, but I will definitely be on tour. Of course, Jay Bellerose will be playing drums. Kevin Barry will be playing guitar. My new bass player is Doug Wimbish. And Rakiya Diggs is playing keyboards and singing. The new band is really special.
Question: What was it like to first hear your song on the radio?
Paula Cole: It always sounds so much better on the radio. They use a lot of compression and it makes the song sound so fantastic. It's just this incredible feeling. You feel like you're in a time warp.
Question: Would you like to do a duet, and with who?
Paula Cole: Well, one dream just came true. I recorded a song with Dolly Parton, and she's one of my inspirations. I flew down to Nashville and she sang a beautiful harmony on one of my songs. I had to exercise a lot of restraint in deciding not to put that song on my album. But, I feel it will have a better home, hopefully as a single to a soundtrack. I always loved Kurt Cobain and Jeff Buckley. Now, I'd love to meet and work with Tina Turner. Her voice is just so amazing. I was thinking it would be nice to do something with Gladys Knight so that people can learn what an amazing talent she is.
Question: Do you feel a need to be a role model for young girls, or to send them a message of hope?
Paula Cole: I look back at my albums and I see them as talking picture books. I see my own evolution. On "Harbinger" I see a lot of introspection, shyness, but there is a very rich inner world. On "This Fire" I was more pissed off, so some anger came to the surface in songs. I stood on my own two feet. I had to fight to produce that album myself. So, it was very bold move. Now, I think I'm a little more calm, and I see how performing in front of thousands of people truly affects people, and it affects ME. Although singing anger can be therapeutic, I don't want to be so negative, and especially at this time of the millennium. I know that I have a responsibility. I want this music to uplift people. I want this album to perhaps make a little difference in the world.
Question: Do you have big plans for ringing in the new year?
Paula Cole: I've had to play at so many bad weddings on New Year's Eve that I don't want to accept a gig unless it's utterly fantastic. Only if my entire band and crew can bring their loved ones. Otherwise, I'll spend a quiet New Year's at home with the people that I love.
Question: Is the new album cover supposed to symbolize something?
Paula Cole: I hope people don't think that they're going to get a Christian album, because they'll be disappointed and offended. I also hope that people don't think of me as a saint. I believe everybody has a halo. I just found it to be a beautiful image, and when I saw the photograph, it said "yes." All my schedule will be continually updated on www.paulacole.com, so check it out.
Question: What is you first single on the album?
Paula Cole: The first single is the very first song on the album, called "I Believe in Love." It harkens back to a '70s "Philly soul" sound. It's uplifting and grooving and soulful and fun and positive.
Question: what made you decide to do a song with T-Boz from TLC?
Paula Cole: Tionne has spoken out about me in several interviews. She is a fan of my music, and I was very touched, so I wanted to meet her. There was a very small but very important background harmony part at the end of this song called "Be Somebody," and I knew her voice would be perfect. She has a beautiful, sensuous, husky voice. She was so down-to-earth and kind, so easy to work with, and I love that we came together from such different worlds to unify in this song. It's about coming together and making a difference.
Question: Would you ever consider doing a live album in the near future?
Paula Cole: I can't wait to do a live album. The record company tends to be a little conservative and view a live album as a greatest hits album, so I get the feeling that it will be a fight. I would love to release two or three live albums in the span of my career to show its evolution, so we'll see. The live show is a place where you can really see if a performer has "it" or not. I say, without shame, that we have a very, very strong live show and I'm intensely proud of it, so please come out and see the new band.
Question: Do you watch "Dawson's Creek"?
Paula Cole: Honestly, I don't watch television. I've only seen the pilot, which was mailed to me before the show ever aired. I liked it, so I decided to give it my support.
Question: Are you going to make any music videos?
Paula Cole: Oh, definitely. We were a little slow, but the new video will be airing within two weeks. We've already finished the video for "I Believe in Love," and believe it or not, I do a dance routine with dancers. I know it sounds like that could be completely terrible, but it was a secret fantasy fulfilled, and it was really fun!
EAMusic1: Thank you for joining us, Paula!
Paula Cole: Thank you so much for your support. I'm feeling you! I love you. Stay strong and stay positive.

Paula Cole's Second on-line Live Chat
Live Chat Transcript from Paula Cole's 1/26/2000 Live Chat on 'www.paulacole.com'.
Logging started at 26-Jan-00 5:53:56 PM.