Heeb

Ruthann Friedman will be playing Diamond Days at Mama Buzz Cafe on July 20 with The Chapin Sisters, Night Canopy and Garrett Pierce. I am more than honored to showcase an artist who probably has more stories than the rest of the bands in the fest, combined. Friedman has befriended folks like Joni Mitchell and Van Dyke Parks, hung out with Ken Keasy, lived in David Crosby’s house in California, and also found some time to write the classic song "Windy" covered by The Association. In recent years, fans of her music such as Devendra Banhart and Plastic Crimewave have helped get Ruthann back into the spotlight, and Water Records has re-released her 1969 classic album Constant Companion, as well as another record of hole recordings and demo’s called Hurried Life: Lost Recordings 1965-71.

How do you feel about all of the current attention you’re receiving?

It came out of the blue. I really never thought I would ever write again, but I’m having more fun my second time around.

People have often speculated about the origin of the song "Windy."

Someone wrote that it was about my old man who was a hippy on Haight-Ashbury. It was actually just a person I made up in my head one day.

Do you write songs differently now than you did back in the day?

I have lived just a bit longer, and have more patience with the evolution of a song. Now I like to let a song ferment before I play it.