This woman can multi-task...big time
Warren Chow
I first encountered Kristen Henderson and Antigone Rising about 10 years ago and thanks to the fan-friendly vibe the band has always created, it wasn't long before I was interviewing Kristen for an article. All these years later, she's still rocking but well...a few things have changed. Let's start with the band's line-up:
- Kristen Henderson: guitar, bass, vocals
- Cathy Henderson (Kristen's sister): guitar, vocals
- Dena Tauriello: drums
- Nini Camps: lead vocals, rhythm guitar
Besides that? Well, there might be the small matter of a simultaneous pregnancy and a move to the suburbs but otherwise nothing too major to report, right?
I think it might be best to let Kristen tell you the story. Check out our conversation below.
Antigone Rising - "No Remedy"
My Conversation With Kristen Henderson
Planet Green: Was there a catalyst for both you and your sister becoming so dedicated to music?
Kristen Henderson: There was no specific catalyst other than our house was filled with musical instruments. Our mom is a classically trained pianist and so was our grandmother, and a lot of our cousins, aunts, and uncles are musical. So it was a really natural thing to migrate toward for us.
PG: What were your early band experiences like and what did these experiences teach you musically and interpersonally?
KH: My early band experiences were similar to my early team sports experiences! I loved being part of a team where all hands were on deck getting the job done. I find one to be too lonely a number.
PG: How has Antigone Rising been able to cultivate such a strong sense of community at live shows?
KH: Cathy and I come from a really strong and close knit group of family and friends. We approach our fans in much the same way we do any of our family functions. Every gig is a family reunion!
PG: It's one thing to talk about such a domestic situation in theory, but what's it been like in reality?
KH: My partner, Sarah, and I got pregnant simultaneously...literally, on the same day, back in 2008. While in some respects it was "planned," we never did think it would happen the way it did. A lot of people's jaws would drop when we'd tell them the news, and most wondered how we'd ever get through the pregnancies. I'm happy to report that it was actually much more fun than I'd ever imagined, and when I found out we were both pregnant, I was excited. It wasn't until the tail end of our pregnancies, when it came time to deliver and recover, that it got a little hairy at our house!
PG: Have you been surprised by either the amount of support or resistance or both?
KH: I've been surprised by the amount of support. We moved to the suburbs of Long Island from the West Village, so I wasn't sure how open minded people would be. But our town is actually amazing, and we're not the only same-sex family here. I'm relieved by it because I think it's really important that our kids grow up around other families they can identify with. In our town, we're just an average family...!
PG: What can you say to Planet Green readers who may be considering similar choices?
KH: Well, if you're a Planet Green reader considering getting simultaneously pregnant with your partner, definitely email me if it works. Because you're more likely to win the Lotto. Beyond that, becoming a parent has been, by far, the greatest thing I have ever done in my life. It's the most exhausting and challenging thing as well. But I wouldn't trade one poopy diaper for an opening date with The Stones. And that's sayin' something.
PG: This sounds like the ideal time to ask you about your upcoming book.
KH: The book is called Times Two (Free Press), and it's the story of mine and Sarah's simultaneous pregnancies and the births of the babies. The story follows us through our entire pregnancy process. There were a lot of ups and downs, from deciding how we'd go about getting pregnant, to experiencing some fertility issues, to eventually getting pregnant on the same day and giving birth to our son and daughter 9 months later. It will be out in April 2011.
PG: Has being a mom changed your approach to music and touring? If so, how?
KH: Becoming a mom has definitely changed my approach toward music. Our lead singer, Nini, just had a baby in the past year too, so every time we sit down to write a song we find ourselves writing about the babies. We try to disguise them as love songs, but I'm not sure how much longer we can pull it off. As for touring, motherhood has slowed us down quite a bit. It's not easy to spend too many nights away from the babies. They change so fast and it's really traumatizing for me to come home and have them look different! But we're starting to travel a little more, so we'll see what happens in the next year with touring more. I know Cathy and Dena are sick and tired of sitting around and are ready to head out for some longer stretches of time.
PG: Okay then, what's next for Antigone Rising?
KH: Antigone Rising just released a new Christmas singled called "This Christmas." It's available for download now. We're headed into the studio to begin recording our new CD, "Red 23," due out in March 2011. I'll definitely be blogging through the entire book release/CD recording process on my personal blog, "Hangin' With Hendo" and you can keep up with all the band is up to on our main website and through our Facebook page.
