Folk-rock singer Catie Curtis began her musical career in the Boston area in the early 1990s, and released her first studio album, "Truth From Lies," in 1994. Her second album, "Catie Curtis," was released in 1997 and included the single “Soulfully” which was featured on Dawson’s Creek, and she has done other albums in-between. Although Curtis has consistently been open about being gay, she did not specifically write about a female lover until her album, "My Shirt Looks Good On You" (2001), on which she penned a love song to her partner, Elizabeth. In 2003 Curtis released "Acoustic Valentine," containing acoustic arrangements of some of her most popular songs.

Her latest album, "Dreaming in Romance Languages," will be released on March 16.

It's been about three years since the release of "My Shirt Looks Good on You," your last major release (although you also released an acoustic album, "Acoustic Valentine," last year via the internet). What have you been doing during those three years?

I've been writing, touring. Also my partner and I adopted a baby in 2003 and so I've been at home with the little one.

Your music has developed from spare acoustic folk on your earlier CDs, to a more band-oriented pop/rock sound on your last major release, "My Shirt Looks Good on You." How do you feel your new CD, "Dreaming in Romance Languages," fits into the folk/rock continuum?

There's more of an acoustic sound to it, because there are two acoustics at the center of each arrangement. But it's not sparer, actually, it's right down the middle of the folk/rock continuum.

You've said "I'd say I write pretty straightforward, emotional and hopefully intelligent songs. Given what passes for sex these days, it's about as unsexy as you can get." Considering the state of pop music these days--with pop stars like Pink and Christina Aguilera toying with sexuality and lesbianism--do you feel any pressure to sex up your music?

Nope, never have. And by the way, I only think my music is un-sexy on paper--in reality it is sexy!

Your songs are often about storytelling, and in the past you've written about adoption, religion, and relationships. What kinds of stories are you telling on your new CD?

Stories about being an artist, figuring out your place in things, songs ruminating about peace in the world, relationship songs, and, a couple songs about beach towns!

On this new CD you once again worked with Trina Shoemaker (who has produced Sheryl Crow), yet in the past you've said you like working with new producers on each album. What made you decide to work with Shoemaker again? Who else did you collaborate with?

Trina is a kicking engineer, just phenomenal. Also, she gives great feedback to musicians in the studio. At the same time, she lets me work out the arrangements myself and choose the musicians and the studio. So the trust between us is enormous. Tom Dube also co-produced. He's a Boston guy, who happened to grow up in the beach town next to mine in Maine. They both feel like family, as do the musicians on the recording.

You've written about gay and lesbian issues before, most notably in your song "Honest World" (in "Acoustic Valentine"), where you sang about the inability to be legally married to your partner, Elizabeth. How do you feel about recent developments in Massachusetts and San Francisco?

I'm cautiously thrilled. I think it's important that gays and lesbians continue to use the words "wedding" and "marriage" if that's how they define their ceremonies and relationships. We own the right to the language. The public debate is only about the license to marry. That said, I think we're in for a long-term struggle.

How do you balance touring with your relationship and raising a family?

I tour less than a lot of people. And I have an incredibly supportive partner.

Are you concerned about being labeled as a "lesbian folk singer" rather than simply a musician?

Yeah, I guess that can be annoying at times. But I'm also glad that I can give voice to experiences that are frequently invisible.

Later this spring a documentary about you and your music will be released. What made you decide to be part of a documentary?

Rob Millis, the filmmaker, seemed interested in telling a story about the grass-roots, indie singer/songwriter scene, and thought that my career might be a good vehicle for the telling of that story. It has seemed worthwhile and will be of interest to anyone who likes folk/acoustic music, I hope.

What are you planning on doing now that the new CD is finished?

Touring! Starting a little now, but mostly mid-April through June!

Amazon.com: "Dreaming in Romance Languages"