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Twin Town High (vol. 8) |
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Kathleen Edwards: Canada's alt. country 'it' girl is on verge of the big tim
Wednesday 09 July @ 12:25:57 |
 by Louis Lenzmeier
Kathleen Edwards has had a fantastic, whirlwind year. The 24-year-old Ottawa, Canada native has gone from being a complete unknown, who, by virtue of crowd-wowing performances at the South By Southwest music industry schmooze fest, has become a more than recognizable talent in the singer-songwriter arena. Failer, her debut release, has already garnered enough attention to surpass the 30,000 mark in sales since its release this past January, and the likes of Rolling Stone have already anointed Edwards as one of ten artists to watch in 2003. It’s easy to see why, as Edwards’ potent blend of shit-kickin’ barn rock (lead single “Six O’Clock News”) and weepy ballads (“Mercury”) prove that she’s a haunted old soul dwelling in a young person’s body. Recently, the Pulse had an opportunity to catch up with Edwards as she was preparing for a show in Amsterdam.
Pulse: What’s going on in Amsterdam? How are things over there?
Edwards: Well, we are just continuing with our European tour and it’s been quite interesting. The crowds have responded very well at the shows. You never really know if they’re going to be accepting of what you’re doing, especially if they don’t know who you are, but everything has gone very well and the reception has been very warm.
Pulse: Tell me how Failer came about?
Edwards: Well, I had a certain set of songs that I had written and I was ready to lay them down, but needed to find somewhere to do it. It was basically a situation where my manager ran into some Rounder (Edwards’ label) people at South By Southwest and things started to take off from there.
Pulse: How did some of these songs come about? Where did the inspiration come from?
Edwards: A few of them were just a result of conversations with my band or else it’s been whatever I was thinking about at the time or whatever came across my mind during the day.
Pulse: Tell me about the last year, how has that been for you?
Edwards: It has been quite the whirlwind, I must say. It has been quite hectic at times. There have been some days that have been absolute shit as the pace can be extremely grueling and rough. I’m not complaining, but we’re trying to learn to pace ourselves and enjoy everything we can. Most days are great, I mean, getting a chance to play on Jay Leno was just tremendous for me.
Pulse: Will you be going into the recording studio anytime soon?
Edwards: Probably not until 2004. I mean, I have some stuff that I would like to lay down and record, but this record has got the legs and we are really enjoying touring right now and getting out there to perform.
Pulse: Is there anyone out there that really inspires you, that you just want to tip your hat to?
Edwards: I really, really enjoy what Aimee Mann does. I just think with her, that her lyrics tell the entire story and then there is Dylan who I will have the utmost privilege of opening for soon. I loved Ryan Adams, even before Whiskeytown, so I am excited to see that he is doing so tremendously well. I also have to throw in Jim Bryson who I happen to work with. He continues to inspire me and I am blessed to be working with him.
Pulse: Tell me what’s in your CD player right now. What are you listening to?
Edwards: Being out on the road, it’s been difficult getting time to listen to some music I want to hear. I feel like I need to really take the time to listen to a great set of work and that just is not happening right now. I know I will get some time soon and listen to whatever it is I choose.
Pulse: Along with your vocal duties, you also co-produced this album. Is there any role you like better, or do these two need to go hand-in-hand for you? Is there any of them you could think of giving up?
Edwards: I can’t imagine not producing as well as singing. I mean I know where I want to go from a sound perspective and just how I am going to get there. It would just be extremely difficult to give up that creative process and that control. I do not want to come across as a control freak, but I know that I am ultimately responsible for how a project turns out. I don’t know how other artists are able to separate themselves, but that’s something that I just cannot imagine doing.
Pulse: How does your songwriting process develop or emerge?
Edwards: I really have no set science to it. For me, it comes and goes as far as a process. I know that the melody is easiest for me and usually comes first. I just get that melody down and from there I can work on what kind of song that I want to create and develop. It’s whatever my frame of mind is in at the moment and I try to develop it from there.
Kathleen Edwards plays Sat., July 12, at 6 p.m. on the Verizon Wireless Stage of the Basilica Block Party . With The Jayhawks, Train, Bob Schneider, Alice Peacock and GB Leighton. $30. All-Ages. The Basilica of St. Mary is located on Hennepin Avenue between 16th Street North and I-94. 612-317-3511.
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