Jen Chapin to play at Underberg House, teach lyric workshop

Even those who don't know singer Jen Chapin are likely to recognize her last name. She's the daughter of famous singer/songwriter Harry Chapin.

But the second-generation Chapin has made a name on her own merits. Since 1995, she has released to critical acclaim three albums (on an independent label) with heavy doses of jazz and pop songcraft mixed with songs about politics, social issues and everyday life. Now Chapin is touring in support of her latest release, 2006's "Ready." She'll appear at 7 p.m. March 25 at the Underberg House, and she'll teach a lyric writing workshop from 3 to 4:40 p.m. the same day at the Bollinger County Library in Marble Hill, Mo.

Chapin recently called in to answer a few questions for the Southeast Missourian.

Q: So what's it like growing up as Harry Chapin's daughter?

A: On the one hand it was normal for me, because it's what I knew. We lived in a pretty normal ... a nice suburban town where all my friends did have a slightly different lifestyle, which I would sometimes yearn for, but I was mostly "in," you know. We traveled more than usual. I would try to join [the band] on the road here and there, and he always worked for opportunities to bring us along, which was totally fun. And our house was kind of like Grand Central Station: lots of people in and out, young people, older people.

But ... for more than half the year my dad was out of town touring, but we weren't necessarily swept up in all of that. We were just trying to do our thing and go to soccer games and so on.

Q: Was it hard to shake your dad's legacy when you became a performer?

A: Sometimes and not always. It's an irritation, but it's not like a huge burden. I'm proud of who he was and what he accomplished, so to be associated with him is an honor. The point I always try and make is it's not the whole story. If there's a billing and they say "Jen Chapin, Harry Chapin's daughter," it's like, well, there's a few more other things that you can say, too. I've been doing this for a while.

Q: I see you play everything from music halls to house concerts. What's the appeal of playing a house concert?

A: House concerts can be hard to schedule, because they're only on weekends. It's a labor of love, so not everybody does them. They're not making money selling beer, and they're usually scheduled well in advance.

But every chance that we get to play a house concert we take it, because of the intimacy, the real, honest connection that you get to develop with an audience and that they get to develop with you, the artist. I think maybe for some artists it might be weird not to be under the lights, you feel kind of silly wearing your sequined top, you know, and things like that. So there are certain trappings of performing that you don't use, but if you're happy to just let the music speak for itself and to be able to speak about the songs informally, it can be magical. We love them.

msanders@semissourian.com

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