Quick Q and A with Eliza Gilkyson
 by Kathy S-B  ·  21 April 2007

You grew up surrounded by music. Both of your parents were composers and you and your siblings were involved with music from an early age. What are your earliest memories of making music?

I remember not being allowed to leave the dinner table until we sang a little ditty in 3 part harmony. My dad had a strange sense of humor! He was a major influence in my songwriting style, both melodically and structurally. He wrote from the gut and had a lot more self discipline than I. He wrote every day. He has 1000’s of songs in his repertoire. My mother was not a songwriter, but my dad’s mother was. If you want to read an in depth story on my dad and his band “The Easy Riders” go to my website and find the link to his biography. It’s a great story.

And, along those lines, were you aware at a young age of what a precarious business it is?

That didn’t cross my mind. I was young!

You’ve made some strong statements in song about the troubled times we’re living in these days. You’ve said that your personal life and your musical life intersected and that you actually felt threatened by our leaders. What kind of reactions do you get to these songs when singing them in conservative states?

Controlled hostility, veiled threats, belittling sexist remarks, complete lack of responsibility for and an inability to face or cope with the problems we are facing today. Originally I took all this personally but I have learned that when buttons are pushed people have a visceral reaction and are protective of their “sacred” belief systems. It doesn’t leave me with much hope for any other future than one that brings a harsh correction.

Any new projects that your fans can expect anytime soon?

A new live CD out this summer with some songs I haven’t recorded before as well some live favorites. Also, my dad’s song “Green Fields”, which is a great allegory for the global warming threat. We are also releasing a live DVD of my 2003 Austin City Limits show this spring. We will record a new CD this fall, probably out spring of 2008.