A softer, touchy-feely Alanis Morissette
CTV News Staff

Today's Alanis Morissette is a touchy-feely softer version of the angry grrl rocker who penned "You Oughta Know," the 1995 anthem for women scorned.

It may have garnered her seven Grammies, but Morissette says that angst-filled image was just a part of who she was, even back then.

"That period was definitely anger on the record, but I was still laughing and joking around," Morissette told Canada AM's Seamus O'Regan.

"It was a little one-dimensionalizing, to say the least. But in a society that views anger in women as something to be pushed aside and not acknowledged and run away from and squished down, that was my experience.

"Having repressed it myself for so long, and feeling the liberation of all parts of myself coming forth during the writing of Jagged Little Pill, certainly that which was repressed the most came out," she says.

Toronto fans were treated to a glimpse of that persona at a concert Thursday, during which she stomped and sashayed around the stage and played all those old, angry hits.

But with all that emotion now out on the table Morissette says she's now focused on finding more of a balance.

"Right now I'm focusing on how to create a gray area in my life and not have everything be black and white. You know -- working or resting, quiet or freaking out, happy or ... despondent."

Part of that quest for balance includes the search for permanence and stability, Morissette says.

"I'm looking to create more of a consistent sense of community and partnership. I wouldn't mind adopting a child. I just envision people I love around," she says.

Now instead of sending out bitter messages through her songs, Morissette sends support to people to whom she relates -- for example, Nepean, Ontario's punk-pop star Avril Lavigne.

"I just imagine that it might be difficult at times and somewhat isolating," Morissette says. "I just send love to people who are in environments where it can (mean) a lot."

Morissette's latest release, the CD and DVD Feast on Scraps captures a silly behind-the-scenes Alanis, jamming on her guitar and goofing around with bandmates. The collection, which includes tracks from a concert taped in the Netherlands earlier this year, hit stores Tuesday.

"It's basically a snapshot of moments over the last two years," she says.

© 4alanis.com :: 2002