By: Karen Steinberg
Q) How would you describe your sound?
A) I’d describe my sound as story driven indie-folk. I love big choruses, catchy hooks, and overall pop sensibilities, but the story is what drives the song for me.
Q) Who are some of your musical influences?
A) I grew up on a lot of Canadian Music – Neil Young, Blue Rodeo and Barenaked Ladies. Those artists will always be a part of my musical influence. Currently, I’m big on Noah Kahan, Medium Build and Gregory Alan Isakov.
Q) Please tell us the story behind your new song “Everything, Everywhere.”
A) “Everything, Everywhere” is a song about being intertwined with someone. I wanted to capture the feeling that occurs in the beginning and the end stages of a relationship – being reminded of someone constantly, for better or for worse.
Q) What do you think it is about the song that fans connect to?
A) I think it has to be the lyrics. Everyone has a person they think of when they hear lines like “darling, you brought out the best in me” or “I want to go back to the start.” I hope that by sharing my real experience, others can connect the dots to their lives.
Q) What is your song writing process? Do you need music before you can create lyrics?
A) Usually, the music and lyrics come together. Songs often start as an idea on guitar and vocals together…sometimes I’ll catch a quick wave of inspiration at soundcheck or while sitting on the couch at home and I’ll document the idea on my voice memos app. Then, when I’m going through a season of creating, I’ll go through each idea and explore.
Q How much of a hand do you have in the production of your music?
A) This record was produced by Ryan Worsley at Echo Plant Studios in Port Coquitlam, BC. Ryan certainly helped bring these songs to the next level and pushed me to dig in deeper on these songs.
Q) Your new album The Nomad is out now. What are the themes you explore on it?
A) The theme of this record is “in-betweenness.” Throughout my mid-twenties as a touring musician, I experienced a lot of contrasting thoughts – craving adventure but wanting stability, wanting to move on but missing home…the list goes on. The Nomad captures a multitude of these “in-between” moments.
Q) My personal favorite songs on the album are “Don’t Mind” and “Colours in my Head.” Is there a particular track that either challenged you the most creatively or one that holds a special place in your heart?
A) Both songs are really special to me. (All the songs on the album are!!) One memory that really sticks out to me from this process was taking a walk after I wrote “Colours In My Head” with Simon Ward and Ryan Worsley. I listened to the demo on repeat and knew that we had just made something really, really special. Sometimes it takes a while for my own songs to grow on me. I’ll be hyper-critical in the very beginning stages. But with “Colours,” I knew we had a hit on our hands.
Q) I’m eager to hear which of the songs on this album have become fan favorites at live shows?
A) Your favorites are spot on… “Colours” and “Don’t Mind” hit SO hard live! I think it has something to do with the gang vocals in the recordings – people love to sing along to those tunes.
Q) What do you hope listeners take away from listening to your new album as a whole – either as a message or emotion?
A) I hope that the album becomes a comfort album for anyone working through their “in-between” stages in life.
Q) Where are some of your favorite places to perform and what makes those locations so significant to you?
A) Hometown shows are always the best. We just played in Toronto and it was magical. Our biggest headline show yet. The energy was like nothing I’ve ever seen before.
Q) Who would you most like to collaborate with on a song in the future?
A) I would love to collaborate with Kacey Musgraves. I think we would absolutely kill it on a duet. Plus, she’s just cool as hell.
Q) What artist/musician are you currently listening to and why do you dig them?
A) I’m listening to a lot of Michigander’s self-titled record. I’ve been a fan of Jason’s writing for a long time – great melodies and hooks and clever lyrics. Jason and I wrote “DON’T MIND” together.
Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?
A) I would like to say a HUGE thank you to everyone who listens to my music – I couldn’t do any of this without you. I would also say that everyone who listens to my music should be on my Discord.