Golden rules

By Michael Swanger michael@dmcityview.com

Singer-songwriter Adrienne Young embraces traditional, organic values on stage and off

Though we make cult heroes out of them for the idealistic things they sing, most people don't expect musicians to set standards of conduct that are accepted as right or proper. Then again, most people have never met a musician like Adrienne Young.

Even within the time-honored tradition of folk music - a genre where personal and professional morality often intersects - Young stands out. She doesn't allow society to dichotomize her art and her personal life because she practices what she preaches. She champions old-time and progressive acoustic music (folk, bluegrass and Appalachian), believes in artistic freedom at any cost, speaks out against war, fights for sustainable agriculture and is genuinely concerned about preserving the environment. What's more, she does so without being contrived, prudish or predictable. Some people call that character. But for Young, it is everyday choices that add up to a virtuous life, as witnessed on her sophomore album, "The Art of Virtue," inspired in part by Benjamin Franklin's "Thirteen Virtues."

"Character is about the decisions, the thoughts, the actions and the intentions one exhibits on a moment-to-moment basis and looking at your character as something you cultivate over a lifetime, so that when you go to bed at night you've acknowledged and adhered to lessons you've had the opportunity to learn, and you've taken the high road," says the 30-something singer-songwriter.

That kind of ideology is reflected in her angelic voice and delicate sound (think Allison Krauss meets Nickel Creek), though her organic music is grounded by the influence of generations of musical troubadours who have sang about the imperfections of humanity and all of its injustices, conflicts and flawed resolutions.

"It's about keeping it real," Young says, "but giving people a sense of hope and energy towards the idea that we have the power to manifest the world we choose."

Young, who owns and operates AddieBelle Records, balances the idealistic and constructive daily. "The Art of Virtue" has sold 13,000 copies - a respectable tally for an independent release - and spawned the hit Country Music Television video "My Love Will Keep."

"One night we might be playing a festival with an audience of 5,000 people, the next we might be playing to eight people in a town we've never been before," she says.

Last fall, Young made her inauspicious Des Moines debut at an East Side biker bar before a thin, relatively apathetic crowd. When she returns Friday to play at The Lighthouse in West Des Moines for the venue's annual "Americana Night," she is more likely to find her audience. But regardless of whether anyone's paying attention, on stage or off, don't expect Young and her band Little Sadie to give anything less than their best effort. Character, they say, is what you do when no one is looking. And if Ben Franklin were a music critic, he would approve of Young.

In the spirit of temperance, order, resolution, industry and humility, Cityview presents a few answers to a few questions about Young's music, her business dealings and a few other topics.

Cityview: At a time when many popular artists travel down a path filled with decadence, overt sexuality and gluttony to sell records, you've released "The Art of Virtue." What was your intention with its release?

Young: It wasn't done specifically to present an alternative to what the mass consumption tends to feed on these days. It's more of something very deep within me on a soul level regarding the political nature of our country, and trying to nail down a way to handle what for me is so overtly contradictory to family values in terms of what the current administration was supposedly elected for. At that time I found a lot of comfort in historical writings, especially Benjamin Franklin's take on things, and how 300 years ago things weren't all that different: There was a group of people trying to break off from the mothership because the walk wasn't being walked, it was just talk. He had an idea for an alternative political party called the United Party for Virtue, and it was a nonpartisan party based solely on one's desire and ability to dedicate their lives to the greater good, to recognize that a soul's purpose on this earth is to evolve and help fellow man and not desecrate the earth.

CV: So, you're saying it's not a dance record?

Y: [Loud laugh] So many messages from the current administration are so confusing to me because I really feel true family values would reflect peaceful solutions to disagreements, like those offered by Gandhi and Jesus and Martin Luther King Jr. These are people that created eternal change for the collective soul and never lifted a gun, and I feel like we could be making better choices within the international community and at home. People need to be aware that in a capitalistic society, your dollars are your power. We also need to educate ourselves about sustainable agriculture and communicate to our political leaders that family farms and healthy food and respectable growing practices in terms of the soil and pesticide use are issues that hit closer to home than we may think - especially around the dinner table at night with our children and with the land we are leaving to them. I feel like there's so much being covered up by the speedy media overload that our society has become accustomed to, so it was nice to hold that out as something to look to. It gave me comfort and hope, so that's why I wanted to share it.

CV: With the exception of those who appreciate roots music and may already know you, is it a struggle to get your message across because your music isn't played on commercial radio?

Y: Struggle seems like the name of the game. Of course, that depends on how you define struggle. If it means that there's been a lot of difficulty with people saying we're bluegrass or folksy, yes. We may have fiddle, banjo and acoustic bass, and we may do some old-time tunes, but we are so not a bluegrass band. I guess to leave things open it makes things feel disorganized, so if you can classify all that is around you as acceptable or unacceptable, black or white, Republican or Democrat, then you know where to sit down in the room in terms of relationship to that issue. But everything is gradient, everything is changing, everything is growing.

CV: How are you growing creatively?

Y: We're in the midst of recording a new album to be released in 2007. It's called "Room to Grow," and it's got all of these instruments, including full drum kits and electric guitar. It also has pain and turmoil, and angst and fury, and passion. I feel very fortunate to not be limited by anybody's perceptions. Part of that is from owning your own record label and there's nobody saying, "This is what you are and this is who bought your records and this is what you need to do."

CV: That must help.

Y: I really am my own boss. It definitely has its downsides in terms of budget and being incredibly overwhelmed all the time with the business stuff that needs to be dealt with. You don't want to become a slave to your own freedom. Again, you can interpret things as a struggle, or you can say this is my karma, this is my path.

CV: Along the way, though, you've accomplished some good things.

Y: That's the thing, I feel encouraged because we get such positive feedback. We're seeing the growth in the audience because they saw the video. It's like a miracle to me because there's no one who's made this happen, because it's been person-by-person, record-by-record. I'm so appreciative.

CV: From the music, to the packaging of the album and its booklets, it's apparent you went the extra mile on "The Art of Virtue" to please your fans.

Y: We could have done the "record deal." It was on the table. But I was clear that the cost per unit could not be reduced to save 30 cents if it meant what we were going to give was a less-superior product. Everyone who buys one feels so respected and valued just for how we offered our music. What if the cycle went back to quality first and valuing your customer, and if you acknowledged how precious that exchange was by offering them something above and beyond and having faith that the respect and care exhibited in that exchange would translate into a lifelong relationship?

CV: What are your thoughts on sustainable agriculture?

Y: It's so important. We do the best we can through sustainable agriculture networks we've become a part of the last few years to try to get somebody from the local community to come out to our shows. ... Whether it's a farmer or someone who heads up a local food coalition or works with the farm-to-school program, someone to get up and tell people what they can do in their community. The exciting thing is when people have the option, they will usually choose a natural, healthier, local and sustainable option. You can spend $20 a week on local foods. It's only going to help. So whatever we can do to raise awareness we'll do. CV

Adrienne Young and Little Sadie headline The Lighthouse Coffeehouse's "Americana Night" on Friday at 8 p.m. Andrew McKnight opens. The Lighthouse is located at West Des Moines Christian Church, 4501 George Mills Parkway. Tickets are $15 in advance through IowaTix.com or $20 at the door. Call 223-1639.

Clips

Art of Virtue

Wedding Ring

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