Interviews
Canadian Music Week Spotlight: Jenn Grant
- by Terri
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2007 was a good year for Jenn Grant's music career, and 2008 looks pretty solid so far too. Why? Because her album Orchestra for the Moon was good, and people realized it. She talked to TWM about it all in advance of her two CMW dates.
Your latest album "Orchestra for the Moon" got a lot of positive critical response. Were you at all taken aback by the outpouring?
It seems to me that things sometimes just fall into place when you are really on the right path. I think this is what I am meant to do, and i was really taking my time, so when i went for it it was like the universe gave me a little kick in the behind. But not a big one, I have not yet been kicked into outerspace. but I think the album has been appreciated by many people i haven't even met, and that's all i can ask for, and I'm happy for it.
You've spent quite a bit of time touring as of late. Can you share a favourite story from life on the road?
The tours this year have been great, especially opening for the Great Lake Swimmers, The Weakerthans and Hayden. I loved watching these performers and i was able to steal a lot of their catchiest parts of songs so my next album should be a mix of all three.
Jussssssst Kidding. But lately, my favorite memory is sharing the stage with Hayden. He has such a great audience and they felt like my own. I wanted to hide them in my suitcase but it was already "too heavy".
I was able to peruse the gorgeous mountains on the west coast for my first time, and i'm wanting to go back.
You're playing two shows at CMW, on Thursday and Saturday, with the Night Painters. Tell us a bit about your band.
Yes it is billed as "the Night painters" but that was what we were called before. This is a smaller version of the band wit Glen Nicholson (In Flight Safety) on drums, Kinley Dowling on violin and Sean MacGillivray on bass.
All I can say is they are a hootenaney of a good time, and that i have always been very luck to play with people i love and respect and who will carry me to the van if i fall asleep. (thanks sean)
What's your favourite Canadian city to play in? Where do you hope to hit that you haven't made it to yet?
That's a tough one..
There are a lot of great ones. Perhaps it is just easiest to say that Sudbury was not a very good turnout and I was a little "sauced". Those four people did ask for an encore though. I love the east coast cause it's home, but I have recently fallen madly in love with Vancouver. I also love Quebec city, Victoria... and Toronto. Toronto is one of the funnest. Great crowds and the music community here is strong, it reminds me of the music community in Halifax.
In the 90s, Halifax was well known nationally for its local music scene. Popular attention has shifted elsewhere in Canada a few times since then, but we like Halifax artists at TWM -- who are some of your favourites?
Tanya Davis, Catherine MacLellan, Rose Cousins, Jill Barber, Don Brownrigg, Amelia Curran, Dan Ledwell, Tyler Messick (though he is somwhere in montreal at present), Wintersleep, and now for Cape Breton.. Carmen Townsend, Tom Fun Orchestra, Alicia Penny.
You played a few dates in support of Hayden last month. How was your experience supporting one of Canada's best-known independent artists?
It was awful he's so mean!
no no.. that's not true.
My brother once won a homeade award in grade 4 called "the mister nice award". There may be some new competition. Uh oh Watch out! If you're reading this Hayden, it is so on.
It was great. It was comparable to summer camp, but with wine. and tequila that came out of a pretend cell phone.
Can i give a word up to my friends Christie goldflower (i have changed her name for privacy sake) and Marty Kinak!
You've done some touring outside the country. How's the response to "Orchestra for the Moon" been beyond Canada's borders?
It's been very nice but i haven't done enough touring yet to really answer that. I will be going overseas in May and back for some Canadian dates in the summer. Then I may go back. not sure yet. My life is a soap opera of greatness.
Where are you heading after your dates at CMW?
OH TO SXSW!!!!
Have you started any writing or recording work on your next album?
Yes i have been writing all along and if you ask me next week i may have my recording schedule.
And finally, who are you hoping to check out while you're in the city for CMW?
I'm not sure yet, there are so many. I'm going to see a few friends play and try to catch some people i have not heard of and see what's going on out there. I can't wait! So happy to be here.
Jenn Grant and the Night Painters play the Rivoli for CMW at 10PM on both Thursday and Saturday.