By the age of 16, acoustic musician Chris Pureka was a regular performer in East Coast coffee shops around Connecticut. She opened for performers such as Erin McKeown and former-Milwaukeean Pamela Means who now resides in Boston.
After Pureka received her degree in biology at Wesleyan University, she worked in a microbiology research lab at Smith College, before leaving the science world to focus on her music.
In 2001, she recorded her first EP, and later released full-length album "Driving North" in 2004 and "Dryland" in 2006.
Pureka founded her label called Sad Rabbit Music. She is sometimes compared to Gillian Welch and Ani DiFranco, who started her highly successful label, Righteous Babe Records, 18 years ago. Pureka's music, however, is less political than DiFranco's.
Pureka, who has an androgynous appearance, identifies herself as genderqueer and has a strong lesbian following.
Pureka performs an all-ages show at 9 p.m. Friday at Hotch-A-Do, 1813 E. Kenilworth Pl., as part of the Millions For Music concert series organized by Milwaukee’s Susan Million. Martha Berner is also on the bill.
OnMilwaukee.com chats with Pureka about her tour, Peter Mulvey, the green movement and more.
OnMilwaukee.com: What are you doing right now?
Chris Pureka: I’m in North Hampton, getting ready for a barbeque. I’ve been home for about a week, and will be gone again for a month on tour. It’s nice to be home.
OMC: What are your thoughts on playing in Milwaukee”
CP: I’m really excited about the venue. I’ve heard good things about it, and I’m looking forward to playing there, and that it’s a non-smoking show.
OMC: Last year you spent most of the year on the road. What was that like?
CP: It was a crazy year. I didn’t even rent an apartment because I spent three-fourths of the year on the road.
OMC: After college you worked as a biologist. How did you decide to make the switch to music?
CP: It happened pretty naturally. I went from working full time at the lab, to working part time, to taking a leave of absence for two or three months so I could tour, to eventually quitting my job altogether. After a while it didn’t make sense to hold a day job.
OMC: Does your strong background in science effect your music in any way?
CP: I think there is a connection between the way I think and the way I write songs. I write in a linear fashion. I go from point A to point B, whereas a lot of songwriters seem to think or write in more of an interconnected web, if that makes sense.
OMC: Are you working on a new CD?
CP: Yes. I have three new songs and am working on a handful of others. I really can’t plan it at this point, just waiting to see what happens.
As an independent artist, everything happens slower, but I think the way that I’m doing it is more rewarding and makes sense for me. However, at the same time, anyone on my level wishes a little more would happen. There has been more press for the new record, so it’s happening, but slowly.
OMC: You are a singer-songwriter with your own label. How inspired are you by Ani DiFranco?
CP: Ani’s story is a pretty great story, but it’s a very specific story that happened to one person. However, it gives me a little extra hope.
OMC: Would you consider joining an existing label or are you committed to staying on your own?
CP: I don’t have a closed door when it comes to labels. I’m not totally against the idea, but for now I want to see how far I can get on my own.
OMC: Since today is Earth Day, I’m wondering what you thoughts are on the whole green movement.
CP: Unfortunately, I think it’s a lot more talk than action. It’s more of a marketing strategy than plan for the future. It’s depressing, but I’m hoping it will come together.
OMC: You toured in Ireland with Milwaukeean Peter Mulvey, right?
CP: Yes, I went abroad for the first time last fall. I opened for Peter in Ireland and it was really great to travel with him. He’s a great guy and we had a lot of fun. We played in mostly small, cool, local pubs. It wasn’t a high-profile thing. We just played in these treasures in the middle of nowhere.
OMC: You've been to Milwaukee before, so is there anything you’re looking forward to experiencing in Brew City?
CP: I love Beans and Barley, so I hope to eat there at least once.
OMC: Did you know Hotch-A-Do is across the street from Beans and Barley?
CP: Really? Awesome.
Molly Snyder started writing and publishing her work at the age 10, when her community newspaper printed her poem, "The Unicorn.” Since then, she's expanded beyond the subject of mythical creatures and written in many different mediums but, nearest and dearest to her heart, thousands of articles for OnMilwaukee.
Molly is a regular contributor to FOX6 News and numerous radio stations as well as the co-host of "Dandelions: A Podcast For Women.” She's received five Milwaukee Press Club Awards, served as the Pfister Narrator and is the Wisconsin State Fair’s Celebrity Cream Puff Eating Champion of 2019.
