Joanna Chapman-Smith is a charming and breezy folk singer who mixes sounds from around the world in a hodgepodge of delectable musical delights. She's performed in more than 100 cities in four countries and those travels shine through her music. Recently, she settled in Toronto after a decade-long stint in Vancouver. If you don't know her yet, you're in luck: she's playing at Hugh's Room tonight. We checked in with the sultry songstress to find out what's new.
You're previewing your new album, Love Me Deeply, at your Hugh's Room show. What can you tell me about it?
It is a departure from my last album — which had the Bohemian flare of east Vancouver with accordions and waltzes. This album is elaborate and orchestral (thanks in large part to the interesting arrangements by Vancouver's Elliot Vaughan). The songwriting is personal and a step up from my previous work. It is accessible, but has a lot to discover and engage with. It is an album for listeners.
How has your music evolved since your first record?
My music tends to be quite nuanced and varied. That was already the case early on, when I was listening to more traditional folk. However, as I traveled and worked with people all over the world with a variety of styles, my music has become quite cosmopolitan as well. You can hear klezmer, dance rhythms, pop and jazz come into my writing as you move through my catalogue. I love to experiment with new sounds. I believe my range of rhythms and styles reflect the rich array of influences I have had living in multi-cultural cities like Vancouver and Toronto.
Was there anything particular that inspired or informed the new album?
I had a strange experience in 2008 where it became painful to talk or sing. It took me a few months to track down the help I needed to solve the problem — but in the meantime, I was afraid I might lose my voice forever. So when I got it back, I began singing and writing several songs about losing and reclaiming my voice, literally and figuratively. The result four years later is this album — and I am thrilled to be releasing it later this year.
I'm sorry to say I'm just discovering your music now. How is that even possible? And don't say it's all my fault!
Sorry — it's all your fault Ron. Well, I have been touring mostly in B.C. and Europe — so I am just getting going over here in Ontario — but I have some big plans to make some noise here in the next few years, so more than a few people will hear it! To get noticed these days, it takes a lot of hard work and a lot of generosity and support from the people you meet. Luckily, there is still a great love of music out there, and I am so often surprised by the help I get from my agents and my community at large. So glad you've heard the music now Ron!
You've been described as having a "slinky" voice. Now, I'm not sure what that means, but certainly it is one of those voices that can be sultry at times, also fun and lilting at times, but always with some power underneath — fair enough?
Thanks for the review — sounds nice to me! Yes, I believe I have a very powerful voice, but I tend to use it quite softly at times, and I really get into the sensual and tactile quality of singing. I truly love to sing.
What inspired you to get into music, and who were your early influences?
I always sang. My dad used to sing me and my siblings to sleep, and we starting singing along in harmony when we were still little. He was my biggest and earliest musical influence and making music just never stopped. Now that I'm grown I still sing casually throughout the day, especially if I'm in a good mood.
I gather you've spent a lot of time traveling. Does that really inform your music?
You bet it does. I pick up little bits and pieces I hear all over. Like when I went to Brazil a couple of years ago and there was a popular style called forró playing in the bars. The next song I wrote had a forró-ish feel underneath it. I also get a lot of wonderful recommendations of new music from people I meet abroad or who send me recommendations over the Internet.
So you’re back in Toronto now?
I capped my stay at 10 years in Vancouver, and now I am back in Toronto. Loved my time there and I miss the mountains and people, but I am truly loving being back here. There is a lot of get-up-and-go in this city that I find invigorating.
You do a lot of house concerts, which seems to be a growing trend around here these days. What do you like about that style of event?
House concerts are some of the most intimate, respectful and fun shows to play. The hosts are usually music-enthusiasts, generous by nature and like to have a good time — so in my experience the results have always been good so far. Some of the people I have played house concerts with have since become great friends of mine, and some of my most memorable experiences have been at house concerts around the world. In Ede, Netherlands, I played one house show that was not only a wonderful concert, but then afterwards we all went outside around a fire and jammed for the rest of the night.
What can we expect at your show at Hugh's Room tonight?
Expect wonderful musicianship — Jaron Freeman-Fox and Rosa Smedley will be accompanying me on violin and stand-up bass, respectively — a cozy venue with a knack for creating a vibrant listening atmosphere and the feeling that you were glad you made the effort to leave the house.
When and where can we get the new album?
The sneak preview sampler will be available at live shows this year – starting tonight. But the album will be released in the fall. You can pre-order it now, or visit my website to see how you can support its production and to find out about JCS news and tour information.
Joanna Chapman-Smith, Hugh's Room, Jan 25.
