Patti interview in today's Boston Globe

["Gart, Mitchell" <MGart>]

http://www.boston.com/ae/music/articles/2007/02/16/patti_smith_willing_t
o_take_the_risky_ragtag_way/

Patti Smith: willing to take the risky, ragtag way

By Joan Anderman, Globe Staff  |  February 16, 2007

Musician, poet, and punk-culture high priestess Patti Smith is coming to
Boston on Wednesday for a sold-out appearance as part of the ICA's "What
New Is" series. She'll arrive with a guitar, a copy of her poetry
collection, "Auguries of Innocence," and no set list. "People are giving
their time and money and I try to be considerate of what their needs
might be," says Smith. Now that's novel. Below are excerpts from a
conversation about writing, Smith's new album of cover songs, and her
induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame next month.

Q You're appearing as part of a program called "What New Is." How do you
address that?

A I'm going to feel the atmosphere and see what's right for the night.
Sometimes people want to ask questions. Sometimes they want to hear
songs. Maybe they want to talk about politics or ask what Robert
Mapplethorpe was like. That way is always a little riskier or more
ragtag, but the communication is better. I like performing at museums
because it allows for more experimentation.

Q It's been 12 years since you last published poetry. Why the long wait?

A I had a lot of things to process. The death of my husband and my
brother. [Smith's husband, MC5 guitarist Fred "Sonic" Smith, and her
brother Todd both died of heart failure in 1994, within a month of each
other.] I wasn't able to write about it for years, it was too raw. And I
had other things to consider, like making a living and taking care of my
children.

Q Not many people read poetry anymore. Is that troubling to you?

A No. I don't think poetry was made to be mass communication. That's why
songs are great.

Q Is the songwriting process very different from writing a poem?

A The labor is intensive for both, but with song lyrics you have two
responsibilities you don't have with a poem: to the music and to the
audience. I find writing lyrics more difficult because of that
responsibility. With a poem I don't feel responsible to anyone, only the
god of poetry.

Q You have an album of cover songs, "Twelve," coming out in April. How
did you choose the material?

A It was so idiosyncratic. I had a list, and I ended up doing five of
the songs on the list, some because I love the artist, some because I
love the lyrics. And some just happened because I dreamed I recorded
them. For instance, [the Doors'] "Soul Kitchen." I dreamed I was singing
that song, and in the morning I went outside and a sanitation truck was
on the street in front of me and "Soul Kitchen" was playing. I figured I
better do it. It went from a very focused project to fate sending me the
songs.

Q Next month you'll be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Is
that a meaningful honor?

A I felt and still feel that we shouldn't have music awards. I don't
think rock 'n' roll should do that. But we have it, and when I inducted
the Velvet Underground and Clive Davis I saw how proud they were and how
much it meant to a lot of people. Many things can be said for and
against it. Since I'm being given the honor and have chosen to accept
it, I take it in the spirit it's given.

Q What will you play at the ceremony?

A My mom really wanted this to happen, and before she died she told me
what song she wanted me to do. I'm not going to tell you. But I'll
probably play the song she asked for.