Joanna What sparked your interest in pursuing a career in music initially? Was there a specific moment or experience that fueled your passion?
I started playing guitar when I was a kid and never really considered anything other than a career in music as a possibility. I didn’t ask to play guitar. My dad just stuck one in my hands one day and sent me to lessons. I loved it. I had my first paying gig at 16 and never wanted to do anything else.
Could you characterize your musical style and the genre(s) you associate with? Are there specific artists or musicians who have played a significant role in shaping your sound?
I started out as a classical guitarist, sang a lot of Celtic folk music, and I love prog and heavy metal. All these things mingled together to form my sound. I call what I do prog-folk, which is a genre that really had its heyday in the 70s. Bands like Jethro Tull, Gentle Giant, Steeleye Span, Fairport Convention, Pentangle, and the Incredible String Band are the acts I’m most similar to. The late 60s folk movement in the states also has a hand in my music. Definitely some Pete Seeger, Judy Collins influences there as well.
Share with us the inspiration behind your most recent single. What triggered the creative process for this specific piece?
This EP grew out of the song ‘Untitled Song About Driving’ which I wrote after finding myself mesmerized by a program on TV that was simply showing dash cam footage of someone driving through the Canadian province of Quebec. It made me think of all the long drives I have taken on Canadian highways, and the hypnosis that occurs after several hundred kilometres of trees and rocks broken by the occasional white cross on the side of the road, or declaration of love spray painted on an overpass.
To capture those meditative qualities the song structure is very repetitive, which is quite a departure for me and my progressive rock background. I wrote the song live in front of my audience on Twitch, and it soon became a crowd favourite.
In what way do you anticipate your latest song resonating with your existing fan base and attracting new listeners? What message or emotions do you aim for listeners to glean from the song?
This one is a little bit different from some of my other recordings. I think my existing fans will enjoy the bit of experimentation I’ve done with building on a single riff, and adding synths and such, but in terms of lyrics and chord progressions, the songs are still very me. These songs aren’t as 100% folky as some of my other work, which I hope will attract new listeners who may enjoy acoustic music, but aren’t really involved with the folk scene.
How does this track contribute to the overarching narrative or theme of your upcoming album or project?
Since the repetitive nature of ‘Untitled Song About Driving’ was such an anomaly for me, I decided that in order to release it, I would write two songs to bookend it on an EP. First came ‘Red Twist’ which is about that feeling of spotting the twisted red neon ‘Vacancy’ sign on a roadside motel, and pulling over to crash after a long day of driving. Then I went back to write ‘Packing the Car’. There’s a very specific early morning feeling, before the rest of the world wakes up, that I wanted to capture here. The fuzziness in your brain before you’ve had your coffee, the haze and mist in the sky before the sun fully rises. Also, no matter how well prepared you are, there’s always that little voice of doubt wondering if you did all the things you were supposed to do, and packed all the things you were supposed to bring. And maybe the weather won’t cooperate.
No final destination is reached in this EP. The point of the road trip is that you got in the car and went. Where you end up is up to the listener.
Maintaining creativity and motivation can be challenging. Do you have any rituals or habits that you find instrumental in sustaining your artistic drive?
Yes. I am always very conscious about this. I keep regular creative hours, some alone in my studio, and some broadcast live to Twitch. In order to keep the well full enough to be drawn from at those times I make it a point to seek out inspiration, as well as give myself ample time for rest, relaxation, and daydreaming. Art galleries, walks in the woods, film, books, video games, listening to music and attending concerts. All these things inspire me and help keep the creative juices flowing. As far as rest and relaxation is concerned, unless I’m on tour, I have a staunch no obligations on Sundays rule, so that I have one totally free day per week which I spend chilling out.
Do you have any upcoming projects or releases that you’re particularly enthusiastic about? Can you offer any teasers or details?
Yes, I have a new single called Skate Punk coming out soon. It’s an upbeat and fun commentary on toxic masculinity as seen through the eyes of a fish. I also have a song coming out on a tribute album to Canadian prog-rock masters Rush.
