Q+A: Putting a fresh spin on folk with Narissa Bond

Norfolk's Narissa Bond is a "new folk" singer who moved to this area from Kansas City, Mo.

She was asked to perform at a show for the National Organization for Women-Virginia Region. That was in May 2000, and by fall she was calling Hampton Roads her home.

"New folk is contemporary folk. It's pop music on an acoustic guitar," she said. "Of course, what makes it folk are the stories that we tell. People always relate to personal stories of life, love and politics." In February, Bond released her third CD, "Three Words."

"I'm kind of known for my love songs, and most of the songs on the CD are about romantic love, self love and loving our country and wanting to make it a better place."

Her previous CDs were "Knocking at the Doorway to My Soul" (1999) and "Between Two Rivers" (2001).

Bond, 48, picked up her first guitar when she was 8 and has been performing professionally for 15 years. You can catch her next week at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront.

What is your earliest musical memory?

Listening to my dad practicing jazz on his guitar, in the evening before we had dinner. I was around 4 years old.

What's your worst performance memory?

When a friend asked me to fill in for him as an opener at a club in Raytown, Mo. When I got to the parking lot I realized I was at a biker bar. Being the professional, I walked in and got up onstage and played my folk songs for a really rough rocker crowd. My friend who had asked me to fill in for him never confirmed the change with the manager. So, halfway through my set the manager angrily told me to get off the stage.

What's your day job?

This summer I don't have a day job. I'm working full time as a musician. During the school year I work part time as a substitute teacher for Norfolk Public Schools and play music on the weekends and some during the week.

If signed to a record deal, how would you spend the advance?

The very first thing I would do would be to buy an economical car that is big enough to transport me and my musical equipment. I drive a 1993 Toyota Corolla named Sylvia.

Patty Jenkins, (757) 446-2298, patty.jenkins@pilotonline.com