The Parenting Panel with Atoosa Grey
Atoosa Grey’s haunting melodies encompass you in her newest track “Storms.” The Brooklyn singer-songwriter is well renowned across the country for her intriguing music and vocals. “Storms” takes you on a journey through Atoosa’s difficult love. Surrounded by piano and strings, the beauty of this track will lure you right in. Her new album “Dear Darkness” is, fittingly, a musically somber album with sprinkles of Americana. In every way, the album is centered around a gloriously pensive moodiness. The album was co-produced by Atoosa and her husband, music industry veteran Noel Grey. Joining Atoosa and Noel in the studio is gifted engineer Sascha von Oertzen. The musicians featured on the album include longtime guitarist James Mastro (Ian Hunter Band, Mott The Hoople), bassist Todd Sickafoose (Anais Mitchell, Ani DiFranco), percussionist Mathias Kunzli (Regina Spektor), cellist Dave Eggar (Esperanza Spalding, Frank Ocean), and Oboist/English Horn player Katie Scheele (Frank Ocean, Anthony Braxton). Dear Darkness was mastered by Grammy-winning engineer Emily Lazar.
How many children do you have? And what are their names and ages?
I have two daughters, ages 9 and 12.
Did you have fears or concerns about how becoming a parent would interfere with your artistic endeavors?
I didn’t have concerns at first. The challenges of being an artist, an attentive mom, and working as a teacher are real, but there’s still time for creating, even if it’s less time – it becomes more sacred. I think it’s amazing to be an artist and a mother. I think it gives you an interesting perspective, and one where you’re not in the center of the frame. I think you have to drop some expectations - societal expectations. I took it slow, and mostly took a break for a while. I studied and wrote poetry during that time away from music. I’m so glad to be able to focus on songwriting again now, but music and poetry are my twin loves. Whatever matters to me, I try to make room for in the time I have.
What has parenthood taught you about yourself, your music, or your creative process?
I have learned about living through being a parent. Through giving birth, and watching two humans grow and change daily. It’s a miracle and a true honor. It has reminded me that life is not forever, and to appreciate living – and to not give my time to things that make me feel like I’m dying! It’s also the ultimate reminder not to be selfish, and that your moods affect your children. Because they’re watching and learning and taking mental notes. And more than what I say, it’s what I do that impacts them. It has also taught me to make time for what I love, and what’s meaningful to me deserves my attention.
How have you been managing parenting during the pandemic? What has been the hardest part and what is the silver lining?
The silver lining is spending more time with my daughters, and bonding more. The hardest part has been very little downtime, and as someone who needs alone time it’s been hard to decompress. I try to spend time with my daughters, be there for them through the emotional ups and downs. Dealing with screen time limits is also a challenge, since so much learning happens on screen now as well. It’s a new world for them and for us.
Have you ever written a song for or about your kids? If so please share a description and a link.
I wrote this song, Chapters, about motherhood:
https://open.spotify.com/track/6eze0TnaqU1PzLezDoTuKE?si=ThQN6tR4ShW1yctlNT9u7Q&dl_branch=1
It wasn’t a conscious decision, but after having my second daughter, these were some of the things I was feeling and experiencing about being a mother and a wife.
What’s one thing you wish someone had told you before you became a parent? Any advice for others?
To be kind to yourself, your spouse, your kids. Kindness is everything. To not judge yourself all the time. There will be mistakes. To trust your instincts about what’s right for your family and your child. And if you choose a partner, to be with someone who makes you feel good, is compassionate, and does not criticize when you make mistakes.
In what ways has parenthood helped your creativity, if any?
At first, I found it more challenging to find time to write. Because I was also asking myself questions about how I was changing, and what was happening to my identity and my body and my relationships. I learned the value of time, and of being true, as an example for my daughters. I want them to follow what they love, and to continue to discover what lights them up. I want them to take risks for their own passions and I know that as a mom, my example matters. I also think life experience deepens creativity; it may not be sexy to be a parent to most, but the wisdom you gain and the way your heart grows and makes room for others is quite magical.
Find Atoosa via:
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