Carrie Rodriguez

Carrie Rodriguez

Carrie Rodriguez is an American singer-songwriter from Austin, Texas. She is associated with country, folk, alt-country, americana and bluegrass, and she sings as well as plays fiddle, mandobird and tenor guitar.

Background and family

Rodriguez is the daughter of Texan singer-songwriter David Rodriguez and Texas painter Katy Nail, and the granddaughter of the Texas essayist Frances Nail. Her maternal family also shapes her musical background: her mother is an opera enthusiast, and her great-aunt Eva Garza is a Latin recording artist from the 1950s. Rodriguez first hears Garza’s version of “La Punalada Trapera,” which later becomes a regular part of her live performances.

Music is present in her childhood through her father, who gives her a Leonard Cohen record for her ninth birthday. She does not like it at first, but rediscovers it at thirteen. By the age of fifteen, she and her father are touring the Netherlands together.

Career

Rodriguez’s professional career begins in 2001 after a South by Southwest performance brings her to the attention of Chip Taylor. She goes on to record four full albums and an EP with Taylor. She also tours with Chip Taylor, Lucinda Williams and Alejandro Escovedo.

While at college, she also sits in with Lyle Lovett’s band after he invites her to perform with them. Her wider musical circle includes producer Lee Townsend, who works with her on song selection for Love & Circumstance and produces the project.

Love & Circumstance

Love & Circumstance is a covers album that draws heavily on Rodriguez’s family and broader influences. It includes songs written by her father, a song once performed by her great-aunt, and material by songwriters and artists such as John Hiatt, Nick Lowe, Ry Cooder, Jim Keltner, Buddy Miller, Julie Miller, Gillian Welch, David Rawlings, Richard Thompson, Townes Van Zandt, M. Ward, Merle Haggard, Bonnie Owens, Hank Williams and Lucinda Williams. Rodriguez says the record reflects a return to her roots and a focus on the writers who first inspire her.

The album is produced at her label’s studios in Berkeley and at Fantasy Studios. Its musicians include Bill Frisell on guitars, Greg Leisz on pedal steel and slide guitars, Aoife O’Donovan on background vocals and Buddy Miller on background vocals. Richard Thompson responds positively to Rodriguez’s interpretation of his work.

Performance and style

Rodriguez is described as a touring musician with a long road career, returning frequently to live performance. Her work centres on interpretations as well as songwriting, with family, love and inherited musical traditions recurring as themes in her recordings.