Canadian Music Fest REVIEW: Cadillac Lounge Currently making a major splash in the indie Folk/Americana market with her self-titled debut on 37 Records, emerging singer/songwriter Cathy-Anne McClintock's incredible musical journey inspires people everywhere to echo the title of her best known song “I Wanna Live Like That.” Who wouldn’t? The track, which she recorded on her album as a duet with Grammy winning bluegrass/folk legend Tim O’Brien, has appeared on Disney Channel, HBO/Showtime and has been recorded and released over 30 times by a vast array of international independent recording artists. She’s also been featured in Billboard, The Record and Marquee magazine. Exclusive Magazine recently caught up with Cathy-Anne and asked her all sorts of wonderful questions - including one about penguins! Your music has it’s roots in folk, country and bluegrass. Who were your musical influences growing up and how many still factor into your music today? "When I was a kid my mom payed us a lot of Dolly Parton, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Conway Twitty and Emmy Lou. Through my teens it was U2, the Beatles, Sting....then my older sister introduced me to bluegrass and folk. Tim O'Brien, the Stanleys, Alison, Tony Rice, the Osbournes, Larry Sparks...it was pretty much done. I was hooked. They all factor somewhere in there today. Music is kind of like that for me. Kind of like osmosis." You’ve just released your self-titled debut album. As an up-and-coming artist, how would you describe the sound and style of your music? "I would say a pop/folk/bluegrass fusion...for lack of better description...but totally acoustic." Your new single “Up” is gaining attention from those in the Bipolar Disorder community. You drew on your own personal experiences with the disease in order to write the song, tell us a little about this "I grew up with a mom that was(is) bi polar but we never knew it. "Labels" weren't so freely handed out then. I just knew that sometimes she was really creative, fun and energetic until suddenly she wanted to be alone in her room for long periods of time, usually in tears. There was no way to console her." "It continued like this for as long as I can remember...even today. I really feel for those and the families of those who are living through it. I used to think that I couldn't relate to that lady 'pushing around the shopping cart talking to herself' but now I know without a doubt that the only difference between her and my mom is relentlessly supportive adult children and God. Simple." You spent 10 years working with the award-winning Canadian Bluegrass band, Tumbleweed. Why did you decide that it was time for you to venture out into a solo career? "We all knew it was time. Everyone in the group was ready to explore their own thing. We learned alot from one another and had some great experiences. I even documented one of the tours in Europe on video on our Tumbleweed compilation last year called The Collection. Great fun and even more fun looking back at it." When someone thinks of the roots of Bluegrass music, Canada isn’t the first place to come to mind! So tell us, how did a Canadian born girl get into the Bluegrass scene? "I was in the tenth grade and my parents split up. I started spending more time with my older sister (8 yrs older). I say that because she had kind of taken on the role of parent and nurturer at that time in my life when I really needed it. She decided she wanted to learn how to play the banjo(!!) of all things. As most teenagers where I grew up I thought that was an unusual choice! Then she took my friend Susanne and I to our first bluegrass festival." "That's how it started...she continued to play me very interesting music that I'd never before heard, ever! We started to go to a bluegrass club in Vancouver where people would go and just jam. We met a couple of musicians, formed a casual group for fun, entered a songwriting contest, won recording time...(my sister, Trisha, wrote the tune) it went from there." Your music has been featured on several television shows, including the Disney’s “Knock First” and HBO. How have these opportunities help gain exposure from your music? "Alot of kids have heard the songs and I've had a fair number of young artists record one of them in particular. An original tune called 'I Wanna Live Like That' has been a favorite. I think people of all ages can really relate to the message. The song has been recorded almost 40 times. Crazy eh?" Indeed ... and so just how easy or hard is it to create a new, vibrant, wanted-by-the-public sound that both builds on and surpasses the musical wonderments and accomplishments that preceded it within the industry? "Gosh, maybe I can answer that if or when it ever happens! Ha ha. My goal has never been to surpass those who've inspired me...build on? Sure. I think I've been influenced by some amazing artists and people. In the end it comes down to the fact that hopefully we all (songwriters) have a different perspective on life that we can bring to the table. In doing that I hope someone who hears mine will be able to relate, be inspired even feel better for having come across it." Your sister, Trisha Gagnon, is the bass player in the Juno nominated Bluegrass band, The Jaybirds. Clearly, you come from a very musical family; tell us a little more about the encouragement you had towards music in your youth "Well...that won't take long! We sang a bit in church, I played a little clarinet..listened to my sister sing alot of Bonnie Raitt and Carole King tunes. Trisha's always been a great singer. I think it's how she 'got away'. She influenced me without even knowing it and has always been a huge blessing in my life. I was never one of those kids that 'performed for everyone on the coffee table'! My confidence came later...the more I realized that what I had to say could matter." You’re currently playing a three-date festival that runs until August 24th in Laguna Beach, California. What is your favorite part about playing lives shows and what can fans expect from a Cathy Anne Mcclintock live set? "Well, they can expect to hear a great, talented group of players called the 'Valley Boys', they can expect to have some fun and to see us have some fun too! My favorite part of playing live is seeing the people out there smiling, listening, laughing...just seeing different responses from folks and talking with them after is great." If asked to record one for charity, what '80s (and possibly cheesy!) pop/rock song would you love to cover today and why? "Hmmm. That's a tough one. This one's far from cheesy... I think 'Sunday Bloody Sunday' by U2. They were a huge influence with me...you may not hear it in my music (!) but they really were. I was about 12 years old and I loved how Bono would say exactly what was on his mind and not give a crap what people would say about it. He wanted to make things better and bring attention to issues that mattered. I remember begging my dad to let me play it on my way to school as we drove for 45 minutes with the deal that he'd be able to listen to classical and CBC Canada the whole way home! Whatever it took!! I had a strong feeling they were special even at that age." Lastly, and throwing you a journalistic curve ball, Exclusive Magazine loves Penguins do you? Who doesn't love penguins? "Seriously though...'The March of the Penguins' was one of the most amazing documentaries I've ever seen. I'm a true animal lover and their story is unbelievable. Creation floors me." Exclusive Magazine Beautiful. What describes the music that flows from Cathy-Anne McClintock’s lips and out through your speakers? Beautiful. Track one carries a pop cross over appeal that isn’t overpowering enough to be formulated but just flows along against the Spanish styled guitar. Track 6, No Matter What, has a heavy Irish folk feel to it that is perfectly cast against the duet of McClintock and Great Big Sea singer Alan Doyle (this track is pure magic). There is just an abundance of gems that fill this album and gives it an epic never ending hold on every part of you as you listen and long to listen again once the album ends. There are a lot of factors as to why I fell hard for this album. Like I mentioned earlier it just has a cross over appeal. My seasoned ear hears so much within the 13 great tracks that are both their own world and yet familiar. Track 3, So American, reminds me so much of Jason Mraz’s work from his Waiting For My Rocket To Come album. Track 5, Hey, is reminiscent of Blues Traveler. I mean there is just this familiarity in there that brings out so much connection but there is also such a rich sea of sound that takes hold of you from the carefree tone of the fiddle to the compassionate delivery of lyrics by McClintock and the many guests and players included on the album (including her husband and producer Steven McClintock). Simply an amazing album that deserves to be unearthed by all. Enjoy. Shakefire.com Für ihr erstes Album hat sich Cathy-Anne McClintock ein starkes Team gesucht. So finden sich als Duettpartner Leute wie Tim O’Brien und Alan Doyle, in der Musikszene respektiert und bekannt für ihr Können, wieder. Die Musikrichtung auf dem Album wechselt zwischen Country und Folk, kein schlechter Ansatz für ein Erstlingswerk. Das Album selber wurde von Ehemann Steven McClintock produziert. For her first Album Cathy-Anne McClintock gathered a strong Team around her. So you can find Duet partners like Tim O’Brien and Alan Doyle, respected and known for their knowledge in the Music scene. The Music genre on the Album changes between Country and Folk, good first piece of work. The Album itself was produced by her husband Steven McClintock. Great team! Christian Lamitschka ( Ch.Lamitschka@t-online.de ) www.MySpace.com/ChristianLamitschka Translation by Charlotte Bailey-Smith I’m shocked that I haven’t heard of Cathy-Anne before after hearing the song called “I Wanna Live Like That”. This is music that is real and full of emotion. This is no pretentious country artist, Cathy is the real deal. She is taking this music closer to it’s roots. With the fiddle, acoustic guitar, stand-up bass and overall fantastic musicianship, this is what music is all about, and the country music scene should embrace artists like this. “I Wanna Live Like That” is a slow, soothing song featuring great harmonies and it is track two off of her latest self-titled release. Cathy-Anne has gotten well deserved recognition over the years by being featured on Disney, HBO and in Billboard and other magazines. Creating music since 1991, Cathy-Anne is a seasoned artist and I am surprised that she doesn’t get even more exposure. IndieShows.net Blog Swooningly lovely. A gentle acoustic confection that boasts a soaring, wafting melody, plus meaningful lyrics and Tim’s perfect shadowing harmony vocal. Cathy-Anne McClintock is a singer-songwriter to keep an eye on. Robert K. Oermann, MUSIC ROW MAGAZINE (Dec 19, 2008) Very nice. Heard the whole CD again and man you guys did a nice job, love that So American song, that is a stone cold hit! Love that song! Ron Irving, TWO BLUEBIRDS (December 22, 2008) Wow Cathy-Anne is a kick ass singer! good work!!! Come down to Georgia. Bruce Burch, Director of Music Program University of Georgia/Former head of Creative at EMI PUBLISHING (December 15, 2008) Canadian folkies have played major roles in the LA music scene for decades, and now Cathy-Anne McClintock’s self-titled solo debut shows that she’s poised and honored to follow their path. PHIL SWEETLAND, Music and Radio contributor, The New York Times (Dec 16, 2008) This is the project she's long wanted to put together and it's very much worth the wait.This is lovely stuff make room, Alison Krauss. John P. McLaughlin, VANCOUVER PROVINCE I am completely impressed and proud to have been a part of this CD. You have created a piece of work that stands on its own in every way. It has complete musical integrity. It has pop sensibility. I Wanna Live Like That is great! That is a great team there. GRAMMY AWARD WINNER Jim Nunally, Jaybirds Vocal perfection without frills or pretence. Intoxicatingly sweet, honest bluegrass music that will simultaneously break your heart with musical beauty and patch it up again with silent strength. Never before has a hurtin’ song made you so glad to be alive. Katherine monk, VANCOUVER SUN music critic The only Canadian bluegrass videos we’ve ever played….nice to see someone playing the music the way it began so well and so well produced. CMT Music Director, quoted from BILLBOARD MAGAZINE I’ve listened to the Osbornes, the Louvins and the Everlys. Now Tumbleweed steps up to the mic to completely captivate me with that magical ingredient. Gosh I do like it. George Lunn, Manager for CHET ATKINS A LABEL DID NOT PAY FOR THIS REVIEW D.A. here.... You may not know me, but I spent about 25years as an “on-air personality” a/w/a programming and music director in small to medium market radio. My career spanned a period when radio stations were still relatively independent and didn’t depend $$ on some consultant in Texas to run the format and pick the music. I’ve listened to tens of thousands of songs (TOP 40 songs, tens of thousands of times!) in numerous formats...including country. I bring an educated “ear” to this review of Cathy-Anne McClintock’s self-titled album. BUY IT! NOW! Understand that I don’t know Cathy-Anne or her history. I don’t know who the musicians are other than what she proffers on her liner notes. But I know quality songwriting, musicianship and vocal stylization when I hear it...and this album has all that. The first cut, “How Can We Be Friends” is a bonafide hit. If “poignance” and “power” are words that you’re capable of mentally conjoining, this song will stay with you a long time. I’ve listened to it at least 40 times, and now my 5year old daughter refers t o it as “the song.” “Let’s listen to the song, Daddy!” This is an acoustic album, with bluegrass roots. None of the songs would qualify as traditional bluegrass, but “Friends” has mandolin and guitar accompanying Cathy-Anne’s vocals, while other tracks include some “fiddle”, stand-up bass, banjo, some very understated percussion. These are bluegrass musicians who know their “licks” but appear to have lent their talents to a special - un-blue-grass - endeavor. Cathy-Anne McClintock is a quality work. Invest your hard earned cash well and BUY IT! That’s all for now! ‘Til tomorrow, this is D.A. the Rock and Roll DJ signing off and reminding you as always ...”hang loose, hang tough and of course, be sure to brush!” |
|
