Billie Myers: On the Comeback Trail
Rising up from disappointments and depression, the singer-songwriter is headed back to the top with some strong opinions in tow.
by Josh Aterovis
Billie
Myers burst into the spotlight in 1997 with her smash hit, "Kiss the
Rain." For a few years, it seemed like she was on the path to
superstardom with gold records, appearances in movies, a critically
acclaimed stint with Lilith Fair, and her songs being used everywhere
from Dawson's Creek to Melrose Place.
It seemed like she was on top of the world when her record label
suddenly dropped from her, leading her down a path of darkness and
depression. Proving the point that you can't keep a good woman down,
the openly bisexual singer/songwriter is back with a vengeance. She's
just released a powerful new album, Tea and Sympathy, a poignant single being used in the gay film Is It Just Me?, and she's speaking out on everything from depression to gay rights.
Josh Aterovis: Hi
Billie! Thanks so much for talking to us. I just have to start by
saying I'm a big fan. "Kiss the Rain" is one of my all-time favorite
songs, and I love the new album. So, welcome back!
Billie Myers: Thanks you so much. That's a nice thing to hear on a Friday morning.
JA: Let's talk about your new album Tea and Sympathy. First off, congratulations. Where did the name come from?
BM:
Well unfortunately it came from a little spat that happened a few years
back. Basically, I surprised somebody and found them with somebody else
in their bed. I thought I'd get there early in the morning and surprise
him, pick up some Starbucks and go. When I got there, there was just
that feeling, you know, everything's not quite comfortable, and there
was the smell of perfume. I was like, "Hang on. What's going on here?"
And there was the usual denial, and he tried to convince me I was being
paranoid. But on the one side of the bed, there was a cup with lipstick
and still lukewarm tea in it.