August 2007
Mikelle Sasakamoose, Kamloops This Week (Canada)
“Like in Canada, there are huge wide open spaces in Australia with not that many people, so you get a sense of that space in the music…”
Roots from Down Under
You might be Canadian if you’re not afraid of bears and you listen to lyrics.
Australian folk singer Chloe Hall said since she started a Western Canada tour, that’s what she’s noticed most. “We’re so careful about bears,” she said with a nervous giggle, noting fellow headliner and Aussie Anita George wants to get a bear bell.
Joining the two adventurous songbirds on tour is ex-pat Emaline Delapaix.
“There’s quite a difference in the type of folk music happening in Canada and what’s happening in Australia,” said Hall.
“That’s why we brought ourselves together, because we all represent very different aspects of that folk music movement.”
George is rootsy and blues-based, while Delapaix is a fusion artist bringing together elements of cabaret and jazz.
Stuck in the middle with them, Hall is straight down the line contemporary folk.
“I’m more of a singer-songwriter,” she said. “My focus is absolutely on the songs and they’re very lyric and melody driven.”
So it was to her delight, after performing a few warmup gigs around B.C. she discovered Canucks love lyrics. “[Canadian] audiences seem really attuned to lyrics, and I’ve been really touched actually with people coming up after shows asking me specifically about lines in songs… and I certainly don’t get that attention to detail in Australia,” said Hall.
Like the wildlife, she said she’s just starting to get a sense of what music north of the 49th parallel is like.
“I think there is an element of French and American music here,” she said, noting in Australia there is more of a world-music element.
“But, like in Canada, there are huge wide open spaces in Australia with not that many people, so you get a sense of that space in the music.”
Tonight at 8 p.m., the Aussies in B.C. will be at the Ashcroft Opera House.
All three women will perform separately and then together to showcase the different aspects of Australian folk music. During her set, Hall will be accompanied by cellist James Hazelden.
“The cello in folk music is an unusual combination,” noted Hall, who plays an Australian Maton guitar.
“But the thing I love about James is he doesn’t have a classical background and he’s actually in quite a well-known rock band in Australia, so he’s brought a lot of edge and energy to the music.”
Tickets are available at the door.
A buffet dinner is at 7 p.m. and costs $18.50, GST and gratuity not included.
For more information, visit www.chloehall.com.au, www.emalinedelapaix.com, www.anitageorge.com.au, www.ashcroftoperahouse.com or call 250-453-9009.
