Canadian songstress Jenn Grant has released four albums to her name garnering critical acclaim. A Juno nominee, Polaris Prize listed and ECMA winner, Grant has recently returned from touring in Ireland, and released an EP called Clairvoyant. This EP features the best of Grant, debuting songs from AquaAlta (Grant’s undersea dream pop side project) a Leonard Cohen cover, reworked visions and new releases. Clairvoyant also sees Grant joining forces once again with Buck 65. She also has a new full-length set to be released this fall!
Luke: The video for your cover of Lover Lover Lover by Leonard Cohen is fantastic. What led you to that song?
Jenn: My friend Ben Goldberg who runs BaDaBing! Records in NYC asked all his artists to record two songs from the 1970’s to release on a special 7 ” lythe cut. I was drawn to this song because I’ve always wanted to record a Leonard Cohen song, and my forthcoming album is a bit of a throwback to some folk music of the 70’s.
Luke: I really enjoy your side project AquaAlta. What was it like creating vocal parts for that project?
Jenn: It was at times challenging to find the time to write something for a side project, whilst touring the The Beautiful Wild and also beginning to write my own new album. But once I would go to that creative space it was very rewarding and a big stretch in my imagination for how to approach writing songs and melodies in a new way.
Luke: Speaking of your new album. What can you tell us about the new songs?
Jenn: There was a trip to Spain that I took in 2012 after some personal loss, meant to be a bit of a voyage. The songs really stemmed from this time and then percolated for a good year while touring The Beautiful Wild. You can hear some Spanish influence in parts of the material, as well as a throwback to 1970’s psychedelic folk. There is a mix of personal stories alongside imagined tales from characters I have invented in my head.
Luke: You’re working with Daniel Ledwell again to produce your new album. How does Daniel’s production style influence the sound of your new album?
Jenn: This new album sounds incredibly warm. He’s very tasteful as well as prolific with how he creates sounds and the right vibe to simultaneously cradle and enhance the sound of my voice and writing. This is the hardest we’ve worked on creating an album together and I’m very proud of the way it’s turning out.
Luke: Thanks for the info on your new album, I really look forward to hearing it. Your latest release Clairvoyant, is quite collaborative. What collaborations are in store for the new album?
Jenn: While this album began as a very solo endeavour, (I wrote most of it in a camper trailer close to my house) there are amazing artists singing with me. Sarah Harmer, Ron Sexsmith, Buck 65 and Doug Paisley to name a few. My brother, Daniel Grant, a cinematographer based in Toronto, also tickles the charango on several songs.
Luke: That is an awesome lineup of guests. Tell us about your Stonebridge, does it have a name? That is a pretty special guitar.
Jenn: It’s a beautiful guitar! The first time I played was right by the ocean here in Nova Scotia. It rings out with the sea! I was thrilled to write on this as well as play it on the new album. She doesn’t have a name.
Jenn Grant’s Toronto album release show will be on November 20th at Harbourfront Theatre presenting by Massey Hall.
Visit Jenn Grant’s website at http://jenngrant.com for more info.