Julie Christensen's got all kinds of cred: '80s L.A. rock cred, jazz cred, Leonard Cohen cred, Ojai Valley cred and mom cred. She's also got a hot band, Stone Cupid, that will back her up Monday night at a gig up the stairs at SOhO in Santa Barbara.

Once upon a time, she was one of the frantic frontpersons, along with then-husband Chuck D., for those swamp-rockin' Divine Horsemen, riding along right in the middle of that most memorable early-'80s L.A. rock scene. Later, she traveled around the world as one of Leonard Cohen's backup singers (along with Ojai resident Perla Batalla).

She's married with children in Ojai, has played with everyone, made a few albums (her latest is "Where the Fireworks Are"), and plays gigs like the SOhO now and again.

Obviously, she can sing.

Not only has Christensen found her niche — pop, rock, jazz, blues and whatever else — but she's also found perspective, proven by her witty answers, via e-mail, to the sometimes witless questions.

What's new in Stone Cupid world?

We did our first house concert, so we're very excited about doing more of those. It was so intimate and cool; relaxed but intense. We just sent out "Where the Fireworks Are" to radio stations across the country, so we're hoping for some spins.

Where'd you get the name Stone Cupid?

I have this little plaster cupid from a lawn ornament place, and one night around 1989 when I was waiting for a beau to show up at my apartment, I looked at it and started a song as an exercise. The song became "Stone Cupid," kind of based on the Cupid and Psyche myth, which I finally put on my second indie album, "Soul Driver." I named my band, my publishing company and my Web site after it.

When did you know you wanted to be a singer?

I don't remember NOT knowing. When I was little, my neighbors told my parents they liked hearing me sing on the way home from school. I had my first classical voice teacher in fifth grade. My brothers and I used to play all the way through Neil Young's "Harvest" sheet music book on vacations.

How did you get involved with Leonard Cohen?

When I was in Austin, (Texas), I played jazz with members of a band called Passenger. They came out to L.A. in 1979 to hit it big. Joni Mitchell passed on them as a band for "Miles of Aisles," but Cohen was there and said, "I'll take 'em."

I didn't meet Cohen until 1988, when Roscoe Beck, the bass player from that band, asked me to come on board, with the caveat that Leonard had to meet me first. I played the version of "Suzanne" that I learned in college. I didn't even get past the intro. Leonard said, "Well, that's wrong, darling, but let's go have lunch." We ate at this diner with Roscoe, and chatted awhile, and he hired me even without hearing me sing. It's important when you tour with people that you can eat with them.

How do you survive on the road?

I try to catch sleep whenever I can. I've napped in all sorts of exotic places. I spend quality time with myself and write a lot in journals.

What's your take on the local scene?

It's hard for me to get out enough to be supportive of it. I'm a mom. My kid's a teenager and is always saying I should go out more often. But seriously, I need to stop using that excuse! Lots of people are parents.

It seems that you have gained what many musicians lack: perspective. Yes? No?

I know I don't know anything. Things go up and then down, so life humbles you, if you're paying attention. The only way to feel on top of the world is to accept that now is the only moment you can live in. Don't forget to love.

What's the best and worst thing about being a musician?

The best part is re-creating the old camaraderie of musicians and listeners, and I get to play with so many fine, incredible players. The SOhO gig will be fun; I've played a lot of jazz in my life, especially back in Austin, and it keeps you on your toes (this is not lounge jazz). The worst is that most music is listened to on these little transistor-radio-like MP3 players. The full spectrum of sound and emotion that comes from so many great performers is lost in the ether.

Any advice for the next generation of singers?

Learn to function on the Web for yourself. Befriend lots of good musicians of many styles and generations. Learn to make your own chord charts. Invest in lessons. Learn about business. Balance humility and confidence. And do not watch or participate in "American Idol."

— E-mail music writer Bill Locey at blocey@pacbell.net.