Alanis Morissette

by Deb Rao
– Senior Columnist —

Hardrock Haven was chosen to participate in a Teleprint Conference with iconic recording artist Alanis Morissette. Alanis recently released a new album entitled Havoc And Bright Lights. Her first single “Guardian” is a beautiful crafted song that deals with the joy of motherhood. In this interview, Alanis discusses the meaning behind the title surrounding her current release Havoc And Bright Lights and her evolution as a top recording artist. Alanis is currently on the road on the Guardian Angel Tour 2012.

Hardrock Haven: Hi, Alanis. It’s an honor to talk to you. My question is two parts. I wanted to know the meaning behind the title, Havoc and Bright Lights and also how have you evolved as an artist over the past 15 years?

Alanis Morissette: A title, havoc speaks to the song “Havoc,” so that’s the underbelly of things, the challenging part. I’m obsessed with dark and light, I think. Because I’m a Gemini by trade I’m obsessed with the dualism that it is to be here on this planet and play in that high-low, cold-hot world. So “Havoc” is the underbelly of recovery from addiction. And then “Bright Lights” has a double connotation, one being in the white-hot heat of fame, and there’s a song called “Celebrity” where I just comment on fame and the whole journey of it, especially in pop culture in America …, not just America, though, everywhere. And then “Bright Lights” also connotating the spiritual aspect of things, that we’re all light beings and that that’s what connects us, whether we’re aware of it or not.

Alanis Morissette: Yes, and your other question was?

Hardrock Haven: How do you think you’ve evolved as an artist on this album? I notice a lot of the songs are about your son and about being a mother, how has that helped you with the song writing with this album? It’s excellent. I love it. It really shows your depth of song writing and everything.

Alanis Morissette: Thanks. I think my evolution is not, I don’t have objectivity on it until many, many years later, so I think just committing to making sure that every record is my being authentic about what’s going on at any given time, these records become like candid photographs, to the point where when I’m 108 on my deathbed I’ll look back on these records and remember the whole era. So I don’t have objectivity on the evolution as such, but maybe you do.

Hardrock Haven: Thanks so much, Alanis.

Alanis Morissette: Yes, thank you.

For tour dates visit www.alanis.com