Princeton Archives - The Bluegrass Situation

Blues musician Cristina Vane has lived many lives. She grew up in Europe listening to an eclectic mix of emo, pop, and rock. She came to the U.S. to study comparative literature at Princeton before moving to Los Angeles to pursue her songwriting career. Determined to get her music out there on her own terms, Cristina embarked on a life-changing solo tour that took her across the United States. She slept in her tent, took in the majesty of the National Parks, and learned more about American culture than most Americans learn in a lifetime.

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Vane’s new album, Make Myself Me Again, is a sonic homecoming that showcases her remarkable talents as a guitarist, songwriter, and vocalist. Ever a student of the blues, Cristina pays homage to her forebears while telling her own stories with vulnerability. Some of the highlights of our conversation include central New Jersey deli memories, tour stories, Cristina’s approach to finding the perfect guitar tone, and a roundabout journey to identity.

Photo Credit: Stuart Levine

Artist: Jonah Tolchin
Hometown: Princeton, New Jersey
Song: “The Grateful Song (Thanksgiving)”
Label: Yep Roc Records

In Their Words: “I’ve found that there is a lack of opportunity to express gratitude in our culture. It’s my impression from observation that people may sometimes think that expressing gratitude outwardly is cliché or too ‘New Age-y.’ We live in an age of cynicism, and for understandable reasons. However, without the capacity to be truly grateful for the simple blessings of our life such as clean water, food to eat, friends, family, a roof over our head, love, the beauty of nature, etc., it is my belief that these things (and life in general) can be easily taken for granted.

“It’s a practice to maintain an energy of gratitude. The intention of the ‘sing-along’ style chorus of this song was for people at shows to be given that opportunity to generate the spirit of gratitude within themselves and as a collective. It may sound funny, but I’m grateful for the opportunity to be grateful. This song is a tool for myself to tap into that every time I sing it.” — Jonah Tolchin

Tag: Princeton

Basic Folk – Cristina Vane

WATCH: Jonah Tolchin, “The Grateful Song (Thanksgiving)”