In a candid interview, singer-songwriter Brandi Carlile shared colorful insights into her friendship with Joni Mitchell, describing the legendary artist as a ‘wild woman’ who can ‘drink you under the table,’ while also reflecting on her own career and new album. This revelation comes as Carlile discusses her role in Mitchell’s musical comeback and her personal journey of self-discovery, blending humor and heartfelt moments from their collaborations.
Carlile’s anecdotes about Mitchell paint a vivid picture of the 83-year-old icon’s vibrant personality, noting her love for Cadillac margaritas and plain Black Jack whiskey, and her untameable, unpredictable nature. She laughingly recounted how Mitchell is ‘the last person to leave the party’ and won’t suffer fools or bandage bruised egos, emphasizing the deep respect and affection she holds for her mentor. These comments emerged from an interview where Carlile delved into the dynamics of their relationship, which has been central to Mitchell’s rehabilitation after a near-fatal brain hemorrhage.
The interview highlighted Carlile’s instrumental role in coaxing Mitchell back to the stage, sitting with her as she relearned her own lyrics and orchestrating the ‘Joni Jam’ concert series. This effort not only revived Mitchell’s performance career but also strengthened their bond, with Carlile describing it as having ‘the best damn seat in the house.’ She shared how this experience influenced her own music, leading to a tribute song simply titled ‘Joni’ that captures Mitchell’s essence, though playing it for her was nerve-wracking due to Mitchell’s exacting standards.
Carlile’s career trajectory, from a breakthrough at the 2019 Grammys to collaborations with stars like Elton John and Miley Cyrus, was also a focal point. She recalled how her spine-tingling performance of ‘The Joke’ at the awards show opened a ‘river of opportunity,’ leading to duets and festival curations. This success, however, stemmed from a childhood in rural Washington, where she felt isolated as a gay individual and used music as an escape, eventually forming bonds over artists like Elton John and The Judds with her mother.
Her new album, ‘Returning to Myself,’ serves as a reflection on this journey, wrestling with themes of time, connection, and identity. Inspired by a moment of exhaustion after a show with Mitchell, Carlile wrote a poem that became the album’s title track, signaling a shift from chasing external opportunities to focusing inward. She described recording with Aaron Dessner, which evoked memories of her first Casio keyboard experiments, bringing a raw emotionality to songs that brought her to tears during performances.
Personal and political elements also surfaced, such as her fears about the potential overturning of same-sex marriage rights in the U.S., sparked by a dinner conversation with her daughters. Carlile expressed anger and shame that her children feared becoming orphans if gay marriage were outlawed, leading to the song ‘Church And State’ recorded live on election night 2024. This intertwining of family life and activism underscores her commitment to using her platform for social issues, while balancing motherhood with her career.
Humorous starry anecdotes, like seeing Paul McCartney at Glastonbury or discussing Dolly Parton’s tattoos, added levity to the interview, illustrating Carlile’s ascent to music’s highest echelons. She reflected on how her younger self would be amazed by her success, now embracing a period of self-exploration and limitless possibilities. With ‘Returning to Myself,’ Carlile is breaking into uncharted territory, finding new confidence and direction in her art and life.