Comeback queen Juliana Hatfield comes up ‘rosy’ in NYC

September 12, 2008, at Bowery Ballroom

By Andrea Rice
Published: September 14th, 2008 | 11:00pm

Aside from suffering from Big Apple anxiety, Juliana Hatfield managed to pull it together at Bowery Ballroom on September 12, boasting a return to the music scene and a new book to come in a few weeks. “It's more of an intellectual release than anything,” she explained to me during her sound check. “I’d definitely like to write another novel in the future.” The book, When I Grow Up: A Memoir, isn’t about getting older, but taking a break from music.

By the sound of her new album, When I Walk Away — Hatfield’s first release on her own label, Ye Olde Records — the hiatus did her justice. “If I don’t mention the new album, my record company will be mad at me,” Hatfield joked and waited for a response from the audience. “Nobody got that joke the other night either,” she laughed. “I’m the record company!” At that moment she took it upon herself to delve into some new material.

With a voice more polished and matured than the cooing little girl we first met about 20 years ago as a former Lemonhead and member of the Blake Babies, Hatfield did more than razzle-dazzle the diehards. “I don’t know why I always get so nervous in New York,” she said after a few songs. “It’s because I have a crush on you.” As pink rose petals were thrown at her feet, the crowd cheered, “We love you Juliana” (more than once) as several esteemed fans waved advanced rush copies of her book in the air. More rose petals soared after an Obama shout-out — Hatfield sported a campaign sticker on her guitar and bragged about her drummer, who had served as a volunteer for the presidential candidate’s campaign.

The show was a trip to the ’90s and back with a perfect blend of old and new, mixed up with a few covers, including “Bad Moon Rising” by Creedence Clearwater Revival. When the set concluded, Hatfield returned alone sans backup for a few soft solo tracks (“My Sister” included) from the good ol’ days. The band returned for a big finish with its own rendition of Justin Timberlake’s “What Goes Around.” Having watched the experiment begin to take flight during sound check, I was impressed that she had managed to learn all the words so quickly (with a mean falsetto, too).

As I made my exit I bumped into Hayden, the solo folk rock artist from Toronto who opened the show. Enamored by his devout following, he informed me that he’d been playing in New York for the past 12 years. No kidding, eh? The overall turnout was high (in both numbers and age) but the lofty ceilings and balcony made the experience cozy and tranquil, without feeling packed like a sardine.

It was obvious that much of Hatfield’s following had trailed her like the Grateful Dead through all her ups and downs, like her struggles with depression and anorexia. Skin-tight jeans and high-heeled motorcycle ankle boots accentuated the musician’s still thin-as-a-rail figure, but one thing’s for sure: Hatfield is a little more grown up and a lot less lonely.