"I wasn't planning on making a record," says Juliana Hatfield, of her new Pussycat album. In fact, she thought her songwriting career was on hiatus, and that she had nothing left to say in song form; that she had finally said it all after two decades as a recording artist. But then the presidential election happened. "All of these songs just started pouring out of me. And I felt an urgency to record them, to get them down, and get them out there."
Hatfield produced and played every instrument other than drums-bass, keyboards, guitars, vocals. From start to finish-recording through mixing-the whole thing took a total of just twelve and a half days to complete.
"It was a blur. It was cathartic," says Hatfield. "I almost don't even understand what happened in there, or how it came together so smoothly, so quickly. I was there, directing it all, managing it, getting it all done, but I was being swept along by some force that was driving and controlling me. The songs had a will, they forced themselves on me, or out of me, and I did what they told me to do. Even my hands-it felt like they were not my hands. I played bass differently-- looser, more confident, better."
Pussycat comes on the heels of last year's Hatfield collaboration with Paul Westerberg, the I Don't Cares' Wild Stab album, and before that, 2015's Juliana Hatfield Three ("My Sister", "Spin The Bottle") reunion/reformation album, Whatever, My Love (American Laundromat Records)
"I've always been prolific and productive and I have a good solid work ethic but this one happened so fast, I didn't have time to think or plan," says Hatfield. "I just went with it, rode the wave. And now it is out of my hands. It feels a little scary."
Pussycat is being released into a very tense, divided and inflamed America. The songs are reflective of that atmosphere - angry ("When You're A Star"), defiant ("Touch You Again"), but also funny ("Short-Fingered Man"), reflective ("Wonder Why"), and even hopeful ("Impossible Song"), with its chorus of 'What if we tried to get along/and sing an impossible song').
The tour will kick off in Hatfield's hometown of Cambridge, MA then head to Philly, Vienna, Virginia and to NYC's Mercury Lounge with more national dates to be announced soon.
Juliana will also be part of the Boston Stands with the ACLU show at the Paradise in Boston, MA on March 18.
Pussycat is currently available for exclusive pre-order in limited edition bundles on the American Laundromat Records website.
TOUR DATES:
Saturday, March 18th
Boston Stands with The ACLU:
Featuring: Juliana Hatfield, Nada Surf and more
The Paradise Rock Club
967 Commonwealth Avenue
Boston, MA
http://www.paradiserock.club/
18 and over - General Admission
Doors at 6:30 PM - Show at 7:30 PM
Sunday, April 23rd
The Sinclair
52 Church Street
Cambridge, MA
http://www.sinclaircambridge.com/
Monday, April 24th
Boot & Saddle
1131 S. Broad Street
Philadelphia, PA
http://www.bootandsaddlephilly.com/
Tuesday, April 25th
Jammin' Java
227 Maple Avenue
E Vienna, VA
http://www.jamminjava.com/
Wednesday April 26th and Thursday, April 27th
The Mercury Lounge
217 East Houston Street
NYC
http://www.mercuryloungenyc.com/
www.julianahatfield.com
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