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Merchant returns to pop scene after long absence

By WTOP Staff

DAVID BAUDER
Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) — Natalie Merchant was a major star in the late 1980s and 1990s, first with 10,000 Maniacs and then with a solo career where her debut went platinum times five. She dropped off the pop music map after her 2001 album, “Motherland,” and this month is releasing her first disc of new compositions since then.

Those years weren’t spent lounging on the couch. Merchant is a divorced single mom of a 10-year-old. She financed and recorded, with some 130 musicians, a double album that put children’s poetry to music. She recorded folk covers and curated retrospectives on 10,000 Maniacs and her solo music. She’s worked and done benefits for causes, particularly the anti-fracking movement. She served on the New York State Council on the Arts.

“Natalie Merchant,” her first album in 13 years, reveals an earthier, even soulful Merchant, particularly on the lead track “Ladybird.” She sings about divorce, aging, Hurricane Katrina, people displaced by war and old-time Hollywood on the album, released Tuesday.

The 50-year-old sat in a New York record company office to talk about where she’s been and where she’s going.

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The Associated Press: Did you lose the desire to make music?

Merchant: I kept writing. There was this excruciating point about three years ago when I had a friend come over. She was having a difficult time because of some tragedy in her family. She was lying on the couch and she just asked me to play. I started playing the piano and she said, ‘What are you working on?’ And I pulled out this giant book of chord progressions and lyrics that I’d been working on for 10 years. I spent the whole afternoon playing for her and she was weeping at points. It was an audience of one. She said, ‘Why aren’t you recording any of these songs?’ I realized it was overdue.

AP: Did you lose interest in being in the business of music?

Merchant: I wasn’t interested in being a part of the music industry after digital downloading happened. My record company, Elektra, just vanished and was revived recently. I signed at my label at 19 and by the time I left at 39, I recognized a handful of people. There was turnover, but then there were just massive executions. Everyone was fired. I just thought it was the appropriate time in my life to step back and start a family, reassess why I dig music and what music I wanted to do, but also get away from the ‘sky is falling’ mentality.

AP: How does it feel to be back?

Merchant: Well, I’ve given up all ambition and all expectations. All that I can do is make the most satisfying recordings of my music as I possibly can, and then it’s in God’s hands. … I live a pretty humble existence. I really try not to live above the means of a successful, small-town dentist. I have one house; I own that house, one car. Because I was fiscally conservative, I have this incredible luxury of not having to worry about it. So my motivation can be that I just want to make music that moves me and hopefully can move other people. If nobody hears it, I have a wonderful life. I love gardening as much as I love music. The thing that keeps me competitive, or stay engaged, is that I look at popular culture in America and I feel that there’s room for my voice and there’s a need for my voice.

AP: Do you ever get nostalgic for 10,000 Maniacs and their music and do you think you’ll ever play with them again?

Merchant: It was 21 years ago, and so much has happened since. I play some of that music, sometimes. Like most artists, I’m so much more interested in what I’m doing now.

AP: So many musicians of a certain age feel they have to color their hair to hide any sign of aging. Did you get any pressure to cover up your gray hair?

Merchant: I’ve been hearing the opposite. I’ve been hearing mostly from women how refreshing it is to see someone with gray hair who is comfortable with it.

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Follow David Bauder at twitter.com/dbauder.

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Online:

http://www.nataliemerchant.com

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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