Q: Hey, can you tell us a bit about where you come from, and what made you want to start a career in music?
A: I grew up on a farm in Northern Alberta until I hit high school then I moved to a small town named Westlock. My family was musical, singing & playing in local community events and church and music was always a pretty big part of my life. While I thought it would be great to do music for a living, because that was what I was the most passionate about, it also seemed like a crazy dream and not logical. So when I got out of high school I went to college to pursue sciences thinking that was the practical thing to do as I had good grades. I realized after a couple years I was spinning my wheels, so I took a year off to figure out what I was going to do and during that time, I made a decision to follow my heart and start heading in the direction of a career in music.
Q: And what other artists have you found yourself listening to lately?
A: I have been so in the thick of my own music, I cannot think of anything prominent I have been listening to. That is sad. Most of the time right now, if I am listening to something it is because my kids have turned it on in the car.
Q: Who were your first and strongest musical influences?
A: I have a wide variety of influences. I listened heavily to ABBA, Fleetwood Mac, Amy Grant, Johnny Cash, Charlie Pride, Don Williams, the Eurythmics, Blondie and Tom Petty. Those were some of the first “cassettes” I bought as well as my parents’ collection of albums. My first concert was Charlie Pride and my parents let me stand in line for an hour to get his autograph, and then my 2 nd concert was Johnny Cash. Those live moments really stamped their music into my minds and I became a lifelong fan. As far as strongest influences, I would have to say Patty Loveless, Martina McBride, Marty Stuart, Amy Grant-honestly all the females in the country genre in the 90’s hugely influenced me as well as Alanis Morisette & Sheryl Crow. At this point, most music that I like to listen to, constantly inspires me. The ebb and flow of music is inspiring all in itself.
Q: You have just released your new single, ‘Road Blocks’. Is there a story behind it?
A: Road Blocks is a fun, rockin’ anthem-like song that sounds like it’s just a feel good song, but when we wrote it, we wanted it to be more than that. It has so many road references and travelling, a bunch of the literal stuff to make a point, but it’s really about the road of life. We all have things that show up in front of us, that most often are not expected or wanted, that try to keep us from being the person we want to be or are meant to be. You have to decide if you are just going to turn around and forget about that dream, or if you are going to find a way to get through them or go around and still head in the direction you want to go. The song is about recognizing that they are there, the Road Blocks, it’s a part of life, but you have to keep your eye on the prize and not let them stop you. Oftentimes they send you in another direction that is better and teach you lessons along the way.
Q: Can we expect a new EP or even an album from you in the near future?
A: I am working on a full length album with 12 songs on it, and it will be available in the first quarter of 2024.
Q: What do you feel are the key elements in your music that should resonate with listeners, and how would you personally describe your sound?
A: I think the key elements of my music are the very real subjects and lyrics, they are relatable and have a lot of emotion. The production is close in line with other albums of mine, but a fresh sound that I believe is uniquely & dynamically mine.
Q: Do you feel that your music is giving you back just as much fulfillment as the amount of work you are putting into it, or are you expecting something more?
A: Ultimately, creating is such a joy for me, it does give back to me, even when I don’t put it out there for the world to listen to. You know, as a songwriter I am always creating, then recording even just guitar vocals. Usually the last song you’ve written or recorded is the one you are most excited about, but it is crazy how quickly you can move on to the next one. They are like little highs. So yes, they fulfil me. My hope is always that when I actually release something to the public, that they will get their own emotional highs from it as well.
Q: Could you describe your creative processes? How do usually start, and go about shaping ideas into a completed song?
A: I feel like every song is different. Of course there are general things or common themes of creating. If I am disciplining myself to sit down and create, sometimes I have to prompt that creativity with just playing around on an instrument. Or if that is not jiving, then I go to ideas that I have written down, as I’m always trying to document ideas as they come. I can usually get something going, and then it progresses from there. There are also times when it is pure inspiration and I have to find a spot to sit down and hash it out while it is fresh and coming to me. If I don’t have that luxury at the time, I just grab my phone and start singing the melody or lyrics into it. I try to be as clear with it as possible and give it some time. I have learned over all the crazy years, that if you don’t lay it down, it goes away. I cannot tell you how many times I have thought I would remember something when I am “so inspired” and then it is totally forgotten and I am heartbroken as I cannot find a thread of it anywhere in my brain.
Q: What has been the most difficult thing you’ve had to endure in your life or music career so far?
A: Hmmmmm…..the most difficult in life I’d have to say…..the last 5 years. I lost my Mom, then my marriage, then my Dad, all within 3 years. The grief was overwhelming. I still get knocked down over it all. I am thankful I have seen glimpses of the girl I am coming back through it all. Music has helped me on the road to healing. Not sure what I’d do without it.
Q: On the contrary, what would you consider a successful, proud or significant point in your life or music career so far?
A: I have had so many moments of positive things, impossible to list them all, but of course, being recognized by awards feels good, but I think ultimately it is 2 main things…..having people relate & sing your songs back to you when you play live, and performing or collaborating with other creatives that you love and respect. Both of those things I have experienced and continue to do so, and they make me feel successful and proud of what I do for a living, which is make music.
