By Ken Paulson
I try never to walk into a record store without buying something, but I was stumped one day in the mid-’90s. I felt like I had already bought everything I wanted in the pop, rock, country and R&B bins.
So I walked over to the often-neglected folk section and came across an album called Mortal City by a young artist named Dar Williams. It was one of those “I think I’ve heard good things about her” moments and I took it to the register.
Good decision. Mortal City was an incredible album, book-ended by the exuberant opener “As Cool As I Am” and the captivating title cut about a new relationship forming during the worst of storms. Stunning.
That album came early in Dar’s career, but its ambition, honesty and compelling melodies can be found throughout her body of work.
We were pleased to visit with her earlier this year. Here’s our wide-ranging conversation with Dar Williams:
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