EVERY NEW ALBUM by Gord Downie is an event. One of the country’s most successful musicians, Downie has put out three solo albums in addition to his work with the Tragically Hip over the past 20+ years.
And each time we think we’ve got him pegged, he changes directions much like a musical chameleon, and it all seems to work somehow. With a new album in tow, The Grand Bounce, Downie is on tour in the area this fall.
So what do you enjoy about raising your family in Toronto?
I love it.… You know, I think Toronto gets a bad rap, obviously. It is sort of cutesy, but behind the scenes the back sniping actually manifests itself in our politics, the screw-Toronto attitude.We see it played out on the streets.… I’m proud of where we come from, where we live and raise our kids. They get a nice cultural upbringing here, seeing things I never saw as a kid.
How are you feeling about your craft these days? Is it getting any easier for you?
Yeah, I mean, I feel really good about it. It makes me nervous, and that tells me passion is required, so yes, I always seems to be at the outer limits of passion, you know. And that tells me that I’m in the right place. It can still have all those other dizzying effects.
I was interested to hear that you don’t really discern between a Hip song and a song more fitting for solo work. So how does it work?
Well, I guess I approach it more that I don’t know if I’ll be here tomorrow, so prolonging things, being like that, is almost arrogantly tempting fate. And I wouldn’t want to do that.
Are you still playing hockey at the local outdoor rinks in Toronto, hiding behind your goalie mask?
I did do that, yes. I lived across from a rink, and I’d come out and the kids would go nuts, like the ice cream man had shown up. That winter, toward the end, I realized guys were coming in and firing it high on me, doing all kinds of stuff. There were little kids around, all ages. I was worried they’d blister one at me.… I’m sort of retired altogether now.
Now, I remember you wearing a Boston Bruins jersey in concert. Are you still a fan or have you given that up and embraced your hometown team?
No, no.…God know. I love the Bruins. But I’m kicking hockey.We’ll see how it goes this year.
And what do you think of the mayoral race?
Sort of depressing…