Janis Ian interview: ‘With this album, I feel for the first time in my life that I’ve lived up to my talent’

The veteran singer/songwriter’s new album, The Light at the End of the Line, will also be her last – the culmination of a singular and eventful musical career

Janis Ian: ‘Ultimately, I want to be an artist because it’s what I do best.’ Picture: Lloyd Baggs

Singers can often be ego-driven, spurred on as much by the attention they receive from their fans as the act of artistic endeavour. Many continue in this way for decades, some along a path of diminishing creative returns, some still delivering quality work.

Very few consider retreating or retiring while they’re still healthy. Then again, very few have the presence of mind of veteran singer/songwriter Janis Ian, who recently announced that her forthcoming album The ...