One of my first recollections is a dream I had when I was three years old. In the dream, I was in a park close to my daycare in New York. I remember biting my lip and it falling off like Play-Doh. Strange, isn’t it?
I was raised by my mother, a resilient and powerful woman. Due to her busy schedule, I often found myself in various classes such as diving, piano, art, and pottery. My mother always expressed that she wanted to provide me with the childhood that she never had. In my early years, I only had sporadic encounters with my father, composer Ravi Shankar. However, when I turned 18, we were able to establish a proper connection.
During my teenage years, I was introverted, clumsy, and self-aware. It’s quite embarrassing how little trouble I caused, being too timid. If I could talk to my younger self, I would advise her to let go and have more fun.
My past interactions with pastries have been complicated. I began my career working behind the counter at a French bakery in Dallas, sporting a charming French chef’s hat. Every evening, I would bring home leftover food items and indulge in them with my mother. However, this experience has made it difficult for me to view croissants in the same way.
From a young age, it was clear that I had a passion for music. I actively participated in church choirs and became dedicated to playing piano at my performing arts high school. Once I began singing and playing at the same time, others began to recognize my talent.
When I encountered Ray Charles, I was overcome with tears. It was over 20 years ago, and I was still a novice in the industry, performing in a tribute to Elton John. Ray and I were introduced in the parking lot, and I couldn’t hold back my emotions. His music was a cornerstone of my upbringing. A few months later, we collaborated on his final album before his passing. It was a remarkable day in the studio.
Finding balance between work and family life is a never-ending task. I’m always going to search for it, but accept I will never quite get there. This job that takes you away from home and my kids so regularly – that’s tough. I try to set boundaries, but there’s no life hack.
I have a passion for seeking adventure. I enjoy high-speed activities, but as I’ve gotten older, I am unable to handle it as well – it makes me feel nauseous. While riding a rollercoaster in Cologne, I even feared I might have a heart attack.
Each year, during the holiday season, tears stream down my face as I watch Elf. I am unsure of the reason, as it is not a tragic film. However, when the sleigh soars into the sky and the group joyfully sings, I am always moved.
Eating small meals between meals prevents me from becoming irritable. In my younger days, I had a tendency to lose my temper, which I later realized was due to feeling hungry. Now, I make sure to maintain a stable blood sugar level and have better control over my emotions.
Creating music is not driven by the desire for recognition, although it is a nice feeling. My debut album received five Grammys. My only recollection of that night was feeling famished while receiving a statue from Aretha Franklin. The following day, my apartment was featured on the front page of a newspaper, preventing me from returning home. Then, my boyfriend experienced a heartbreaking loss in his family, which helped me understand what truly matters in life.
Children, job, loved ones – they’re all wonderful. However, becoming skilled at throwing pottery on the wheel and successfully creating a mug? Truly, my most accomplished moment.
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Norah’s latest album, Visions, has just been released!
Source: theguardian.com
