Between stretches of a popular headlining tour in support of his new album, Myself When I Am Real, pop-folk artist Bebo Norman discusses the reality of life as a musician and developing relationships.

What's the most exciting thing in your life right now, either personally or professionally?

Bebo: Wow, that's a good question. I've been in a strange mode, sort of a postpartum depression. I've released a new album, finished the first leg of my tour, and bought a new house. There's been a lot of excitement, but now I'm in this cruise mode, and it's a little discouraging both on a personal and a spiritual level. I find I have to motivate myself a lot when things become too routine.

But during all this activity I started dating someone. And that's totally new for me, because I haven't dated in quite a while.

How has touring affected your relationship with your girlfriend?

Bebo: You know, it's been interesting. I've known her for a long time, and we've hung out for a number of months, so she knows I'm gone a lot. When I have to leave, it's sad, but it's really exciting to come home. The relationship feels very new every time I return. But sometimes that can be a bit of a facade, you know? I have to be careful not to let things falsify the nature of our relationship. It can be tough to find normalcy when things feel so new every 3-4 weeks — but so far, so good. It's been a lot of fun.

Do you write songs all the time or do you write more in seasons?

Bebo: Oh, I definitely write in seasons.

Has the new dating relationship spawned some music?

Bebo: No, because I really haven't had the time to sit back and assess things. I've just been so busy. Maybe that's it. Maybe I'm just now at a place where I can stop and look at everything from the recent months — not just with her and me — but with everything that's happened. Then maybe some songs will come.

There's a very prominent and recurring theme in the new project, Myself When I Am Real. You seem to be making an intentional point of it. Do you know which one I'm talking about?

Bebo: I think I know what you're talking about. I didn't even realize it when I was writing the songs, but a friend pointed out to me how many times the word home appears in the lyrics of these songs. It's in at least every other song. It seems to be the most constant theme running through the album.

I think I was able to come to terms with my desire to be home as opposed to my desire, straight out of college, to be on the road meeting new people and playing music in new places. Those things are amazing, and I genuinely feel I've lived out a dream, but my perspective has subtly but definitely started to shift.

What I long for these days are community, consistency, familiar faces, and going to church on Sundays (which I don't get to do very often). They're all things that are probably considered boring and mundane to the person who lives in a consistent world. But I just want to cut my grass every week. I still love what I do, but I miss those things.

What does 2003 hold in store for you?

Bebo: I'll start back on the road in February. I'll do a run in Florida, then on the West Coast, and then I'll be in Europe for about a month and a half. That'll be my third European tour.

There are a few ideas being thrown around about who I might tour with, but we'll see. I just go where they tell me to go. Hopefully I'll be able to take a chunk of time off this summer. But right now, I'm just excited about being out of the studio and back home over the holidays. I'm finding my balance.

Click here to read our review of Bebo's Myself When I Am Real, named one of the best albums of 2002 by our staff. Learn more about Bebo and his music by viewing our artist page. You can listen to song clips or buy your own copy of Myself When I Am Real at Musicforce.com.

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