August 2007
Teresa Mallam, Free Press Prince George (Canada)
“From down under to up north, Melbourne-based singer songwriter Chloe Hall will bring her contemporary folk music stylings to Prince George this weekend. On her way to Prince Rupert Tuesday, Hall took a moment to pull over for a lunch break and an interview with the Free Press. The artist is on a cross-country promotional tour for her third album White Street, just released in Canada..”
Aussie singer has walked many roads
From down under to up north, Melbourne-based singer songwriter Chloe Hall will bring her contemporary folk music stylings to Prince George this weekend. The Australian musician renowned for her beautiful voice and unique song stylings will perform along with cellist James Hazeldon at Artspace above Books and Company on Sunday.
On her way to Prince Rupert Tuesday, Hall took a moment to pull over for a lunch break and an interview with the Free Press. The artist is on a cross-country promotional tour for her third album White Street, just released in Canada (it came out in Australia in 2006). Along with the title track, the new CD includes songs like Amy, Fallen Angel Boy, How Many Roads, Just the Way You Are and Without You – all penned by the singer.
“This is a CD release tour. The reason it was delayed coming here – I look on the cover and I can’t believe it says ‘recorded in 2005′- is because my mother died last year. So it was a very sad time for me and just naturally put off the release of the album.”
One of the songs, Fall For You, came out of Hall’s work with dementia patients.
“I used to work for the Alzheimers Society in Australia so I talked with a lot of people whose partners had dementia and it was interesting the similarities of their stories and how difficult it was to stay connected in order to care for them. They all had key parts of life, times to remember – the same as any relationship – like the early days of courtship. In the old days, that usually meant the dance hall and the music. So this song came out of that.”
White Street features Hall on vocals, piano and guitar with Anita Quayle on cello and other musicians playing violin, viola, 12 string guitar and percussion instruments. After hitting the stage at Artspace this weekend, Hall heads for Ashcroft, B.C.
“I’m going to play the opera house there, I think that’s so neat. We will be touring for three months in Canada, going to Vancouver Island and Alberta. Then we finish in Ontario. After that, we’re heading to Nashville where we’ll be mixing a new album, similar to the last one with acoustic instruments – I love the wood, natural sounds of acoustic instruments.”
Hall has played music all her life, from her early love of Irish folk music as a teenage troubadour, open mic nights in Melbourne to stages on the Australian folk circuit during the 90s. She studied voice and composition at the Conservatorium, Melbourne University and since then has built a career as a contemporary singer songwriter.
Music critics say she’s “built a reputation for her stunning voice, beautifully crafted songs and warm heartfelt performances.” She has performed in venues from pubs to folk clubs to major festivals and events.
“I think we [she and Hazelton] bring a unique energy to our shows. Some of our songs are very moving – but we’re always in the mood for fun. I’ll be playing one of two guitars and singing of course. Audiences seem to enjoy listening to us and have a genuine appreciation for the music.”
How do our Canadian audiences compare with Australian ones?
“It’s a little early to say,” she said, “because we’ve just started the tour here but so far, everyone has been really friendly and there is a real [music] culture and love of music here.”
Australian singer songwriter Chloe Hall and cellist James Hazeldon perform Sunday, August 19 at Artspace above Books and Company. Tickets $10.
