INTERVIEW: Zoe Boekbinder Carves a New Path For Themself
Zoe Boekbinder (they/them) is a songwriter, singer, and guitarist who has traveled across genre, staying rooted in American folk. Boekbinder’s new record, Wildflower, was made, performed, produced, and promoted by a team of women and non-binary people. Recording was funded by Canada Council for the Arts. When we last spoke with Boekbinder on the Rainbow Rodeo podcast, Boekbinder was in the process of beginning Wildflower, and told us about some of the events that led to their recent song “Hold My Hand.” The song is about an emotionally abusive relationship. In our interview below, Zoe Boekbinder tells us more about the recording process and being welcomed to queer country.
We last spoke about a year ago, as you were beginning this project. How do you feel your relationship to queer country has changed since then?
Since we last talked I went to Nashville and made a record with some wildly talented women in the Americana/Country world including Megan McCormick and Megan Coleman who played on the Allison Russell song, “Eve Was Black,” that just won a Grammy. This is my first Americana record and I’m feeling very welcomed into that world. Megan McCormick and her partner Amanda Fields are both super talented songwriters (and Megan produced my record). They started a record label/collective called Are and Be Recordings and they are being incredibly supportive of this record and of me as an artist. I’ve never experienced this kind of representation before. All that to say, I’m feeling great about my relationship to queer country!
How was it to create an entire album without any cis men? Did you feel there was a difference in the process?
It’s been a really wonderful process to create a record without any cis men. I was previously on a label run by men, despite its name. I’ve worked with male producers and engineers over the years. I won’t speak ill of those experiences but I will say this record making process felt very supportive and easy. It’s also the best record I’ve ever made because every person involved is so incredibly skilled.
“Hold My Hand” is about a difficult, emotionally abusive relationship. When we last spoke, we discussed the uses and importance of restorative justice. What do you hope could be restored in this situation?
Actually, when this relationship first ended, I invited the other person into an accountability process. Unfortunately they declined. Restorative processes require willingness on both sides. Seven years have passed so I don’t have any hope regarding this specific situation.
In general, what were some of the lessons you learned as you were making Wildflower? It seems to me that you’re singing from a deeper register on “Hold My Hand”
I’ve often opted for a higher register mostly because it’s physically easier for me, though that changes a bit as I get older (my lower register is getting richer and easier to access). I was visiting friends on my way to record the album and I played through the songs for them and they made some suggestions… mostly they asked me to try playing a few of the songs in a lower key. I was amazed at how it transformed the whole feel of the songs. The two songs that were most impacted by this were “Hold My Hand” and “Cover Up The Moon.” So thanks, Lizzy and Hae!
Another lesson I learned was that when I’m working with people who are great at their jobs, I can let go and trust. It’s hard to do with my songs because they are so personal. I felt really taken care of in this process. Megan McCormick was such a great producer. She really took the lead with such confidence and ease. She made me feel like it was safe to trust her with my songs. I’m so glad I did because the result is something I feel really proud of.
Wildflower releases April 26, 2024.
