Q: You sing with your daughters on the song “One in a Long Line.” What was that experience like?
A: I think because I am a singer, they don’t want to go that way. But every once in a while, I’ll hear my youngest singing in the back seat. In a weak moment, I caught her and convinced her that she should sing on the record. My eldest was all for it.

Q: How do you feel when younger artists like Olivia Rodrigo cite you as an influence?
A: It’s beautiful validation that something I’ve created has lifted people’s spirits or made them feel closer to themselves.

Q: Do you think the music industry has improved for women since you launched Lilith Fair with an all-female lineup?
A: Originally, it was like, “You can’t put two women on the same bill.” The success of Lilith blew those old-school attitudes out of the water. In the same sense, I’ve had women walk up to me and say, “I was at the first Lilith Fair, and you showed me that I could do and be anything I wanted to, and I’m running a corporation now.”

Q: How is life in your 50s?
A: I’m way better at standing up for myself than I was in my 20s, 30s or 40s. I don’t love that my body’s giving out in certain parts—brain fog with menopause is real—but other than that, I’m in a great place. I’m way more grounded and centered.

Q: “Angel” blew up your career. When did you know it was a hit?
A: I remember when I was finishing the album Surfacing, my manager suggested that would be a single, and I thought, You’re crazy! I mean, I love the song, but that’s not going to work. And then it just kind of snowballed. Then being able to use that song for the ASPCA gave it a whole other life. —Whitney Matheson