It’s been nearly 30 years since Mary Chapin Carpenter released her first album, and ever since she has remained one of the most respected and beloved singer-songwriters.
Lately, she has looked to changes things up in her career. In 2014, she released her first orchestral album, and this year, she released her latest album, The Things That We Are Made Of, which marked the first time she worked with producer Dave Cobb.
Carpenter, who took some time to talk about the new record, brings her tour to the State Theatre June 29. A portion of all ticket sales benefit the Centre County Women’s Resource Center.
T&G: Do you still get excited when you release a new album?
Carpenter: Of course! It’s a thrill. Every time I’ve had a record released it’s joyful and celebratory. I just feel lucky and fortunate and have tremendous gratitude that after all these years I’m still able to make records and people listen to them. I’m humbled by that.
T&G: What was it like working with producer Dave Cobb for the first time?
Carpenter: We got together the year before I started recording. I went to his house in Nashville and we just talked about music and who we enjoyed listening to. It was so comfortable. … I was working with an amazing group of people when I was making the last few records, but you sometimes reach a point where you want to turn over a new page and try something different. It’s terrifying but it felt great from the first moment I was in the studio [with Cobb].
T&G: What was the process like for writing the songs that are on this album?
Carpenter: Four years ago I began writing songs that ended up on this record. I wasn’t writing themes; songs just came out. … When I finish songs, I have what I call an overnight test. I leave the song on my desk or the kitchen table. I force myself to leave it overnight, and if it still feels right the next morning, if I feel like it holds up, then it’s a keeper! The songs on The Things That We Are Made Of passed the overnight test. I threw out maybe 25 songs. The best songs made the record.
T&G: A few years ago, you made your first orchestral album [Songs from the Movie]. Is that something you’d like to do again?
Carpenter: I’d do it tomorrow! I’d do volume 2 instantly. It’s a different kind of record. It has a shelf life. You can present that music around the world and you don’t have to be current or have a new record out. I loved the experience. The arrangements were deeply moving to me. It was one of those bucket-list projects.
T&G: Are there songs from your extensive collection that you still get especially excited to perform live?
Carpenter: I did an acoustic tour and I had a chance to do songs I’ve done for years but change them up somehow. The “Passionate Kisses” recording is kind of a rock-n-roll thing. One day, I slowed it way, way down with a piano and acoustic guitar. It became this gentle, yearning song instead of a defiant one. I remember how it felt different. … I definitely like to changes things up.
