Podcast Summary: All Of It with Alison Stewart
Episode: Dear Dear Performs Live (Get Lit)
Date: December 4, 2023
Overview
This episode of WNYC’s All Of It features a live musical performance and in-depth conversation with singer-songwriter Chase Cole, performing as the project Dear Dear. Spotlighting Dear Dear’s debut album, Death of a Fairy Tale, and coinciding with the Get Lit event for Mona Awad's novel Rouge, the episode explores nostalgia, modern femininity, societal beauty standards, and the interplay of poetry and music. Listeners are treated to live renditions of songs from the new album and an intimate dialogue about artistic process and personal growth.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Introduction and Performance: “Happy Birthday, Baby”
[02:14-05:53]
- Alison Stewart invites Dear Dear to the stage, introducing the synergy between Awad’s Rouge and the album Death of a Fairy Tale.
- Dear Dear opens with a performance of “Happy Birthday, Baby,” a song reflecting on lost love, nostalgia, and the ache of moving on.
“Happy birthday, baby. I’ll have the worst day, baby, dreaming on the love we had before. ’Cause I don’t call you baby anymore.”
— Dear Dear, [02:56]
2. Introducing the Band
[05:56-06:09]
- Members: Ricardo (drums), Sid (backing vocals), Andrea (guitar), FEMA (keys), with Chase Cole as Dear Dear.
3. Songwriting Process & Collaboration
[06:10-07:37]
- Chase describes this project as distinct from previous solo work, focusing intentionally on co-writing with the legendary Barry Goldberg.
“We wanted to make something that sounded familiar and nostalgic but tackled a newer subject matter... We really set out to make something that sounded familiar and welcoming but had a very female-empowered standpoint.”
— Chase Cole, [06:28]
- Highlights the tension between the “universally nostalgic” 60s girl-group sound and its often “dated subject matter”:
“There’s a Crystal song called ‘He Hit Me and It Felt Like a Kiss.’... So we really set out to make something... welcoming but had a very female-empowered standpoint.”
— Chase Cole, [07:00]
4. The Influence and Story of Barry Goldberg
[07:37-08:08]
- Barry Goldberg’s impressive pedigree (Bob Dylan’s pianist, collaborations with Phil Spector, Ray Charles, and the Ramones).
- The collaboration originated serendipitously after continually running into one another.
“We ran into each other at the supermarket one day and this is how that album became. The best story ever.”
— Chase Cole, [07:52]
5. Poetry and Songwriting Intersect
[08:08-09:13]
- Chase’s roots in poetry: studied at Eugene Lang (The New School), influenced by folk music and its storytelling qualities.
- Reflects on interplay between poetry and songwriting:
“You can’t separate them, really... I find songwriting has slightly more limitation, whereas poetry is slightly more freeform for me.”
— Chase Cole, [08:49]
6. The Name & Identity of Dear Dear
[09:13-10:36]
- The project title “Dear Dear” symbolizes a “musical Trojan Horse”—sweet-sounding, but tackling unexpected, substantive issues from a female-empowered perspective.
- Desire to give this music its own identity, distinct from prior solo work.
“Dear Dear... was this sort of perfect little bow that we put on it. It felt really sweet, but it wasn't that at all.”
— Chase Cole, [10:25]
7. “Natural”: Song Origin and Message
[10:36-12:21]
- Song “Natural” originated as a poem; inspired by Chase’s experiences with beauty standards in Los Angeles and the pressure to conform.
- Written as “something I needed to hear” and a message about self-acceptance, especially during the isolating period of COVID and social media immersion.
“It is not going to cure you, and it's not going to make you love yourself more... There are moments when we need to hear that, and I know I do.”
— Chase Cole, [11:30]
8. Performance: “Natural”
[12:22-15:54]
- The lyrics stress loving oneself despite societal beauty pressures, offering a supportive, non-judgmental stance:
“Just know a filler cannot fill the void of no self-love... a mountain top of compliments will never beat the confidence that lives within yourself.”
— Dear Dear, [13:18, performed]
9. Performance: “I Can’t Live Without You (To New York)”
[15:54-18:32]
- Final song is a love letter to New York City, written during time away in California—reflecting yearning and bittersweet attachment.
“Central Park was made for you and I... If everything should disappear, there’d be nothing for me to fear. All I need is just to have you near. ’Cause I can’t live without you.”
— Dear Dear, [16:37, performed]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On updating nostalgic sounds for new messages:
“We wanted to make something that sounded familiar and nostalgic but tackled newer subject matter.”
— Chase Cole, [06:28] -
On friendship and collaboration sparking creativity:
“Barry came in on a session on my first record many years ago and just kept reaching out to me and liked my writing.”
— Chase Cole, [07:43] -
On pressure to conform to beauty standards:
“It is not going to cure you, and it's not going to make you love yourself more.”
— Chase Cole, [11:30] -
On female empowerment and expectations:
"I picture... this sort of pretty girl with the bow in her hair, but she's really just got a lot to say ..."
— Chase Cole, [09:52]
Timestamps for Important Segments
- [02:14]: Show introduction; setting the context between Dear Dear and Rouge
- [02:56]: Performance – “Happy Birthday, Baby”
- [05:56]: Band introductions
- [06:10]: Songwriting process and working with Barry Goldberg
- [08:17]: Chase’s poetry background and its relationship to songwriting
- [09:26]: Story behind the project name “Dear Dear”
- [10:40]: Discussion and performance setup for “Natural”
- [12:22]: Live performance – “Natural”
- [15:54]: Performance and dedication – “I Can’t Live Without You (To New York)”
- [18:32]: Closing remarks
Tone and Language
The conversation and performances were intimate, sincere, and candid, marked by Chase Cole’s honest exploration of personal and societal themes. The dialogue is reflective and empowering, seamlessly blending nostalgia with fresh perspective.
Summary
This episode stands out for its heartfelt live music and authentic discussion on the evolution of identity, creativity, and empowerment—both personal and collective. Listeners are left with resonant performances and the lasting message: self-expression, truth, and self-love, all wrapped in the lush, nostalgic sounds of Dear Dear.