#ArtistAtHome is a series of portraits and profiles of local artists by Christopher Edmonstone. Read all about it and see the archive HERE.
What an absolute pleasure it was spending the afternoon with today’s #ArtistAtHome Louise Burns.
Louise mentioned that although her first instrument was the piano, she picked up the bass guitar at age 11, and is a far better bass player than she ever was on piano. She got to know the music industry at an early age when the all-girl band she co-founded called ‘Lillix’ became a international teen pop sensation in the early 2000’s. Louise left the band in 2006 and has become a sought after collaborator. She has also released two of her own solo albums - her 2011 “Mellow Drama” was long listed for the Polaris Music Prize.
If you don't know her music, you might know her as CBC Radio 3 host and Music Columnist for The Westender and The Talkhouse.
Louise Burns at home.
We listened to sad country songs on vinyl and discussed such philosophical gems as the therapeutic equivalency of letting out a good curse‘F*ck!’ or chanting 'Ommm'. Interestingly, the table she is sitting at has a storied past, as former Prime Minister of Canada, Lester B. Pearson once graced it while he was entertained at the home of her grandparents.
Louise spent all of this past January in Dawson City for their songwriter-in-residence program, and found it was amazing experience. She said "I have never had that much time to just sit and work on my music. I was reading a ton of poetry too, and started focusing more on storytelling in my music."
She is currently wrapping up her third record, and hopes to release it sometime later this year. Many thanks to Louise for a most excellent visit. Be sure to check out her upcoming shows at The Biltmore on May 20th with Art D’Ecco and Levitation Festival on June 18th.
