In celebration of Women’s History Month, Atwood Magazine has called upon artists to contribute essays reflecting on themes of identity, music, culture, and inclusion.
Today, Katherine DePaul, artist manager and founding partner of ARTIST VISION, presents her essay titled ‘Paula Cole, a Masterclass in Artistic Authenticity’ as part of Atwood Magazine’s Women’s History Month series.
DePaul states, “During this year’s SHE ROCKS AWARD, Paula Cole mesmerized a ballroom full of industry colleagues with a keynote address that encapsulated a lifetime of artistic authenticity into a simple yet impactful mantra: ‘There is the trying, and there is nothing else.’ Having spent a year learning from Paula as her artist manager, I observed her steadfast dedication to creative control, from making history as the first female Grammy-nominated producer to passionately crafting her latest album, ‘LO.’ Her speech resonated deeply, conveying not only a message about music but also about resilience, courage, and the importance of engagement—an essential lesson for all creatives, dreamers, and young individuals.”
Katherine DePaul is a founding partner of ARTIST VISION, long-time manager of Judy Collins, and has received nominations for a 2012 Emmy for the live concert JUDY COLLINS LIVE AT THE METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART, as well as nominations for a Best Folk Album Grammy in both 2017 and 2023. Other artists she represents include Elles Bailey, Paula Cole, Sophie B Hawkins, Malin Pettersen, and Tuvaband.
In January, I stood with many of my female peers from the music industry in the ballroom of the Anaheim Hilton, participating in one of the numerous standing ovations given to Paula Cole for her keynote presentation at this year’s SHE ROCKS AWARD.
I wasn’t taken aback by the audience's exuberance. I had spent nearly a year learning from Paula Cole, a Berklee College of Music professor who embodies curiosity and self-reflection. I witnessed her determination to learn and, crucially, to TRY in every area of her life and career. However, before I elaborate further, let me rewind to March 2024, when I was engaged in a Zoom interview that lasted over an hour.
A colleague informed me that Paula Cole was searching for management and suggested I speak with her. To be truthful, I only knew the basics of Paula’s creativity—the hits! Songs like “Where Have All The Cowboys Gone” and “I Don’t Want to Wait” played repeatedly in my life in NYC during the 90s, echoing from college radio stations, bars, and my local deli on West 83rd Street and Amsterdam. I was largely unaware of the richness of Paula’s discography and that she was on the verge of releasing one of her strongest albums to date, LO—an album that was set to drop just days after our Zoom call. I instinctively agreed to get involved, envisioning how I could contribute and sensing I was on the brink of a new journey. Little did I know, I was about to enter a master class in artistic authenticity.
Throughout my career as an artist manager, I have always encouraged artists to retain control over their creative work. Paula exemplifies this. She made history in 1998 when she became the first woman nominated for the Producer of the Year Grammy for her self-produced album, “This Fire.” She has maintained her artistic integrity by producing her own projects, ranging from her 1994 breakthrough album Harbinger to her latest release, LO, despite varying degrees of commercial success as defined by the music industry.
A career is an artistic narrative that involves bold actions and empathy for the inevitable fluctuations in life’s journey. It requires courage to navigate a career that encompasses personal relationships, taking time away to raise children, and staying true to one’s artistic vision. Yet, the songs born from this creative path hold immense value—“I Am So Ordinary,” “Watch The Women’s Hands,” “Letter From A Quarry Miner,” “Green Eyes Crying,” “Strong Beautiful Woman,” and many others deserve your attention. I encourage you to explore Paula’s catalogue and discover your own favorites.
Throughout the year, I was TRYING to keep pace with Paula by studying her entire career and diving into her music (not just binge-watching the entirety of Dawson’s Creek again, which I did—but who doesn’t still love the story of Dawson and Joey?), while being continually impressed by Paula’s quiet confidence and steadfast belief in authenticity, regardless of commercial success. What took me an entire year to grasp was conveyed to the audience in just six minutes, the length of her acceptance speech at the SHE ROCKS event.
Paula gifted us all a new mantra:
There is the trying, and there is nothing else.
This has now become my mantra for 2025.
It’s my favorite phrase as we honor Women’s History Month.
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Katherine DePaul, an artist manager and co-founder of ARTIST VISION, offers her essay titled 'Paula Cole, a Masterclass in Artistic Authenticity' as part of Atwood Magazine’s series for Women’s History Month!