Adam Duritz, lead singer of Counting Crows, shares insights from his expansive musical journey and the impact of fame on personal relationships. He candidly discusses his lifelong struggle with mental health and dissociative disorder, shedding light on how this shapes his songwriting. The conversation touches on the challenges of artistic integrity amidst commercial pressures, the transformative power of performance, and the complexities of finding genuine connections in the spotlight. Duritz also reflects on the joy of reconnecting with fans through their new album.
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Comfort on Stage
Adam Duritz found himself most comfortable on stage, despite earlier struggles with stage fright.
He thrives on the clear structure and improvisation opportunities performing live offers, contrasting with his discomfort in everyday life.
In *White Bicycles*, Joe Boyd recounts his pivotal role in the 1960s music scene, from managing tours for Muddy Waters to producing Pink Floyd's early work. The book offers vivid portraits of musicians like Nick Drake and Sandy Denny, while also exploring the cultural and social context of the era. Boyd's narrative is both a personal memoir and a broader social history of the time.
The Yellow Wallpaper
Charlotte Perkins Gilman
Published in 1892, 'The Yellow Wallpaper' is a pivotal work of feminist literature presented in the form of a series of journal entries written by an unnamed woman. The story delves into the themes of patriarchal control, the stifling nature of gender roles, and the consequences of denying women autonomy over their own lives. The protagonist, confined to a room by her physician husband, becomes increasingly obsessed with the yellow wallpaper, symbolizing her own feelings of oppression and entrapment. The narrative highlights the harm caused by the 'rest cure' treatment and the societal expectations that subordinated women during the Victorian era.
The Feminine Mystique
Betty Friedan
Published in 1963, 'The Feminine Mystique' by Betty Friedan critiques the societal expectations that confined women to roles as housewives and mothers, arguing that these roles denied women their basic human need to grow and achieve personal fulfillment. Friedan coined the term 'feminine mystique' to describe the belief that women could find complete fulfillment in domestic duties alone. Through extensive research, including interviews with housewives, college students, and experts in psychology and education, Friedan exposed the widespread unhappiness among women and the detrimental effects of these societal norms on their mental and physical health. The book played a pivotal role in sparking the second-wave feminist movement, encouraging women to seek careers and personal achievements outside the home[1][3][5].
Adam Duritz is no stranger to the spotlight. Counting Crows’ 1993 debut album, August And Everything After, sold over seven million copies in the U.S. Singles released from the album including “Mr. Jones” and “Round Here” dominated radio and MTV at the time. But all the exposure wasn’t great for the band, and according to Duritz, it led critics to focus more on Durtitz’s star-studded dating life, than the band’s music.
Regardless, Counting Crows have continued to release music over the last three decades and this month they are putting out their latest album, Butter Miracle, The Complete Sweets!
Today we’ll hear Adam Duritz talk in-depth about his life-long struggle with mental health and how his dissociative disorder has impacted his ability to connect with people off-stage. You can pre-save The Counting Crows new album here. And check out their new video for “Under The Aurora” here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QMzFO8CAmK0&feature=youtu.be
You can hear a playlist of some of our favorite Counting Crows songs here.
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