Muse of the Week: Louise Goffin
Born in Brooklyn, New York, and raised in LA’s Laurel Canyon during its music halcyon days, Louise Goffin is a multi-instrumentalist, singer-songwriter, performer and producer who released her first album on Elektra/Asylum when she was 19. Along the way she’s released seven solo albums and produced a Grammy-nominated record. For many who grew up with the hit TV show Gilmore Girls, Louise’s voice can be heard with her mother’s, Carole King, on the opening theme song of every episode.
Her career has been getting busier as of late. She will be making a cameo appearance as a special guest, both acting and singing, on a new Gilmore Girls episode due to be aired at the end of this year. She’s going to London this summer to perform in Hyde Park, opening for Don Henley and Carole King’s live performance of Tapestry. And she’s already released so many gems as a solo artist herself, she is launching a collection of songs titled The Essential Louise Goffin - Vol. 1 with three never released songs, a remix, and all remasters - due for release in Europe (to accompany her live appearance) on July 1st, 2016.
Her last two releases, 2015’s Appleonfire, got its genesis following the June 19th, 2014 passing of her father, lyricist Gerry Goffin, who wrote classic songs with her mother, Carole King ( you may know of “Locomotion”, “Will You Love Me Tomorrow,” and “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman” (made famous by the iconic Aretha Franklin!) Appleonfire came on the heels of Songs From The Mine, which was described as "a masterpiece of reinvention" (San Diego Troubadour), “endearing folk-pop” (The Los Angeles Times), and “a terrific return from an artist…whose best work is likely ahead of her” (American Songwriter).
The Essential Louise Goffin Vol. 1 features Joseph Arthur singing a duet of “If I’m Late,” a remix of “Take A Giant Step” featuring Jakob Dylan, a brilliant and fresh cover of “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman,” and an epic song called “5th of July” which breaks all the pop song writing rules, yet is an ear worm painting a picture not soon forgotten. It also features a new song, "Devil's Door," the first released recording ever to come out of the secret songwriter salon, Cyanide Social Club.
Louise sees a record as a collection of songs telling a whole story - in the same way a movie fan would watch a whole movie (not just stream one scene at a time). Potential Louise fans beware: her songs are addicting and her records don’t waste air time - you’ll want to own the whole collection.
Louise has lived in England, travels to New York, Nashville, and the Midwest, and is based in Los Angeles. She's also toured the world on electric guitar in Tears For Fears, and if you’re lucky you can catch her teaching one of her interactive Songwriting Masterclasses in LA. One is coming up May 7th at the historic Village Recording Studios. Advance tickets on sale here.
I met Louise a few weeks ago at a bar in NYC. I was standing by the window and these angels Louise and friend Chris SeeFried came up to say hi to me. We were both at the CMO Club Summit and we just hit it off. Louise was performing the next day with Chris at the CMO club summit. Their performance was beautiful. Right before Louise headed back to Los Angeles we squeezed in this contemporary urban clothing photoshoot in Bushwick with photographer Spencer Kohn and I got to know Louise even more. She is an incredible spirit, woman and mom. I am pleased to introduce you to her and have you learn even more in my BTS Q&A interview! Thank you for being a part of our Muse of the Week feature. xx, Stacy
1. Are you a Subway or Car (via, Uber, Lyft) or Other (bus/walk /etc.) girl?
I both love and hate driving my car in LA. I enjoy the freedom to go where I need to go, but traffic is no fun. I enjoy taking an Uber or a Lyft, but when in New York, the subway and walking is my favorite mode of travel, hands down. On a beautiful day, riding a bike is my favorite of all.
2. Favorite spot to be creative?
In a restaurant with good coffee and high ceilings.
3. Causes you advocate for?
Write girl. http://www.writegirl.org/. I try to give scholarships to at-risk teen girls to attend my Masterclass. Finding and using your voice to tell your story is one of the most empowering things a girl can do.
4. Favorite quote?
Never ruin an apology with an excuse. - Benjamin Franklin
5. Tell us about your last moment you shared with someone?
I went to one of my oldest friends birthday party recently, and people I hadn’t seen in way too long, friends I spent every day with in my 20s, were all in the same room at the same time. I shared so many blessed moments in the span of a few hours, I can hardly count! We forget to call old friends. It reminded me of that saying that no one ever sat on their deathbed and said they wished they'd spent more time at the office. Connection is what its all about. My birthday friend said “you can’t throw a rock in this room and not hit a genius.” But the best thing in the world is to find people who are geniuses at friendship.
6. Favorite all-time movie quote?
At the end of the movie Boyhood (when Mason gets a girlfriend and they’re hiking and sitting quiet.) She says to him: "You know how everyone's always saying seize the moment? I don't know, I'm kinda thinking it's the other way around. You know, like the moment seizes us."
7. When does your new album come out?
July 1st
8. Best career advice you’ve received?
“Music first, all else follows.”
9. What is your proudest career moment?
Recording my first record in six years Songs From The Mine in 2013, after raising children. I felt I took the reins on having my own career rather than sit around waiting for someone to notice I had something worthy to share with the world. The most support I ever got in my career is when I gave it to myself. Then other people followed. It's really true: You can't give anyone what you don't first give to yourself. If you want to find people who treat you right, find people who takes good care of themselves.
All Photos by Spencer Kohn
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