The last time Jenn Grant performed in Nanaimo, during the spring release tour for her latest album Paradise, she had the support of a full backing band behind her.
This time around it’ll be just her and her husband and producer Daniel Ledwell on stage, recreating the record on a smaller scale.
“We’ve got a couple keyboard stations and we’ve got some sounds in there and we’re just doing our best to kind of play as many parts as we can while keeping it still pretty loose,” said the Nova Scotian singer-songwriter.
“They sort of become different versions of the songs.”
Following the folkier album Compostela from 2014, Paradise dials up the electronics and percussion in Grant’s dreamy, ethereal pop tunes.
“I kind of like to reinvent with every new album, so it’s just what I’m drawn to at the time and I just felt a little more drawn to these types of sounds, so you just want to switch gears and create something different,” she said.
After concluding her 10-week CD-release tour last year Grant wound down her live performances to a few sporadic events. Her latest Western Canadian stretch, starting tomorrow night in Calgary, is her first set of regular shows in a few months and she’s looking forward to getting back on the road.
Grant will perform at the Queen’s on Thursday, Feb. 8. The songs on Paradise came in response to Grant’s experience touring Compostela. She said, “You kind of start writing about what you’ve lived.” And for her that meant writing about coming home.
“I get tired of songs about touring so after you tour, for me anyways, it’s important to get home and there’s usually reflection, in some way on your travels,” she said.
“On this album there are a lot of songs that are based on some crazy dreams that I had … and I’ve got a bit of a theme of trying to get home, whether that’s your home or that’s like an otherworldly sense of something.”
WHAT’S ON … Jenn Grant performs at the Queen’s with special guest Mick Flannery on Thursday, Feb. 8. Doors open at 7 p.m., show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the door.
arts@nanaimobulletin.com
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