Kurt Elling
This week, joining us On the Couch is Kurt Elling, currently in his Broadway debut playing the role of Hermes in Hadestown. A two time Grammy Award winner, and 17 time nominee, Kurt Elling brings a jazz flare on the road down to Hadestown. Read our full interview below.
What do you consider to be your best asset?
I’m pretty sure I sing in tune most of the time
What was your proudest moment?
All of my proudest moments involve my kids
What is your favorite drink?
Hot black coffee in the morning, a cleansing Kölsch in the afternoon, and Malört
as a nightcap
What is your favorite food?
Steak frites/green beans with red wine, followed by cheesecake, espresso and
some Amaro
What is your favorite condiment?
Hot German Mustard
What is your current obsession?
Art deco hood ornaments from the 1930’s
If you could give up one of your vices, what would it be?
Resting depressed face (Eeyore is my spirit animal.)
What is the one professional accomplishment you long for most?
I want to exceed what I have imagined to be my creative limitations.
What is the one thing you waste too much money on?
I eat out constantly. I am just about useless in a kitchen.
What is the one activity you waste too much time doing?
Brooding.
What do you consider to be the single greatest threat to your health?
RFK, Jr.
What’s the single best trait you inherited or learned from your parents?
From my father, I learned the essentially ecstatic nature of music.
From my mother, I learned that the emotions/reactions you practise before you
grow old are the ones you are stuck with once you are. (I guess that’s more a
lesson than a trait…)
What’s the single worst trait you inherited or learned from your parents?
The will to leave the party early & before the best parts invariably happen.
What in the world most thrills you?
My wife Jennifer.
What current trend in popular culture most irritates you?
I am enraged by the current popular confusion between repression, cruelty and
strength.
What was the most embarrassing moment you’ve ever experienced on the job?
I will be forever mortified by allowing myself to be used as a political mouthpiece
in an artistic setting by a European promoter, and I regret that I will never have
the chance to apologise to that audience. (Mind you, I am fine addressing
politics in artistic settings, but the views I express should be exclusively my
own.)
What is your favorite place in the world?
I’ve been fortunate to have been touring the world and making concerts for the
last 30 years, so forgive me if I have several favorites. Chicago is my home, of
course, and I happily identify as a native, although I would love to live in
Denmark for a time, and Holland. Sydney is great for sailing — I guess all my
favorite locations are. My family and I lived in NYC for almost 15 years and still
adore it.
What is the most important trait you seek in a romantic partner?
That she be Jennifer.
Do you prefer the company of dogs or cats?
Dogs are very often the best people.
What would have to happen to make today the best day of your life?
I would have to have my family at hand — including extended “framily”. Maybe
play a great set with a hot big band first, followed by a reunion of all my favorite
people (many of whom wd have just played in the band). Toasts to friendship
and love in a golden hour afternoon with kids running around outside, and the
laughter of my wife and my sister, and fireflies at dusk.
What is your personal motto?
Sing in tune. Strive for tone.