Jeff Libman

A: You're not the first to ask. I've spent most of my time writing and performing in the past couple years. I spent a lot of time in the studio a couple years ago and laid down 15 tracks, but it all seemed flat and sterile to me. The 'recording' artist in me hasn't come out. I prefer writing and performing, but I'll be back in the studio soon. Everybody tells me that I need a CD or two to sell. It will happen again soon but when, I can't tell you. I do know that I'm going back into the studio to record my song Alien as a supplement for my recent book, An Immigrant Class.

A: I've been working with immigrants for the past 12 years and wanted to write a song from their perspective. The song looks at the hypocrisy of our nation's relationship with immigrants, starting with the dehumanizing word, Alien. I wrote it to honor those I have worked with, to give voice to those who are usually unheard or dismissed with sweeping generalizations, whether they be good or bad. It forces the listener to confront the alien in him/herself and to recognize that we are all immigrants. As one line ends, '...are you proud of this alienation?'

A: I think music is an experience that evolves between an audience and a performer. I enjoy the process of building and feeding off that give and take relationship. I like the spontaneity that performing brings. There's an energy that comes when these forces mix and swirl that is invigorating. You can't plan everything and that brings everything to life. There's so much routine everyday that the few surprises we get are little gems, and each performance is like that for me. I'll add songs or omit songs from a set list based on how the show is going. I'm sure this drives the band crazy sometimes, but I think it makes for an honest and authentic experience.

A: I don't have system. I have no idea when or where a song is going to come from. A line or an idea may come into my head. I may be taking a walk and play around with ideas. I think every song I finish is the last one I?ll ever write, and who knows, maybe it will be. I like playing with words, metaphors and meaning. The music comes from somewhere, but I don?t know where. It appears. Trust me, it's as big a mystery to me as it is to you. I just try to keep working at it in one way or another.

A: I'm so busy and so full of ideas at the moment. As I said, I need to do some recording and that takes time and energy. I'd like to do some street performing and experience that connection with strangers. I'm part of Chicago songwriters compilation CD and I'm coordinating a fundraising drive for the Chicago Academy for the Performing Arts from the sale of the CD. Of course, I want to keep playing out in new venues and writing. That's just the music. I'm on a promotional tour for my new book and building all kinds of events around that as well as another book idea. Need I forget, I have a job, too! I've got plenty on my plate now. Funny how things ebb and flow.

A: When I moved back to Chicago, I began hanging around the Old Town School of Folk Music. That's where I met Deb Lader, Alice Peacock and a whole group of songwriters. Many of us meet once a month to share song ideas. It's a big support group for recovering songwriters. The compilation CD includes 20 songwriters from that group and I'm committed to using the CD sales as a way to support the Chicago Academy for the Performing Arts, a private performing arts high school in Chicago. This is a fantastic place, but many kids need scholarships. Our music can help a young adult make music or dance or theatre. None of us is certainly in this singer-songwriter business for money and I'm excited that we can use our music to do some good and support students who are pursuing their artistic endeavors. I'll be doing some gigs around town promoting and selling the CD and trying to get venues to kick in as well.