Project Rhythm Seed

By J. Brown

Sultry and intense, Kay Pettigrew’s take on blues and jazz-influenced indie folk demonstrates that she is just one artist who is part of the talented music scene in Toronto with a bright future. Pettigrew is an independent musician born in Southern Ontario in Canada and has already garnered rave reviews for the musical goodness she has released thus far—an output that includes songs showcasing an effortless range of styles, as well as an inventive and creative take on bluesy folk melodies. Pettigrew particularly shines on heavily blues-based tracks that give the listener a taste of her powerful and impressive voice, such as “Lunatica” and “Ornithology.” The singer was kind enough to grant me an interview and answer some questions about her plans, motivations, favorite music and more.

1. Do you have plans to release a full-length studio album in the near future? Do you have any plans (or would you like to) tour outside of Canada?
YES. I am planning on releasing a full-length … someday. I am still in the process of writing and revising and am going through some exploring at the moment, but I have been releasing a few videos here and there with new material. I am definitely in a growth stage, and it feels really good, since I’m writing tons and collaborating with really good people.

2. If you were forced to live the remainder of your days trapped on a desert island and you could bring just five albums with you, what would they be?
I hate this question. I hate it. I hate it so much. How can you choose? Jeez. Oh god. I think at the moment I would probably pick some of (what I think are) classics: Patti Smith, “Horses”; Mirah, “Advisory Committee”; David Bowie, “Changes One”; Billie Holiday, “Lady Sings the Blues”; Janis Joplin, “Greatest Hits”; and probably one of my friend Julie’s famous mix CDs. That’s six. Shit. I’d stash one in my underwear.

Kay Pettigrew – Fires

3. How would you describe the live music scene in Toronto for the uninitiated?
Oh boy, what a big question. I feel like maybe I am not the best person to ask about this, since I feel very insulated in my experience of the live music scene here. I guess in one word I would say SATURATED. There is so much going on all the time, so really I mostly check out my pals’ bands, or pals of pals. There are a few cool series nights, like Wavelength, but I think it’s a bit different than other cities where you might have one venue that’s known for consistently booking good talent. It’s really hit or miss. I’ve seen amazing shows and discovered bands that I’ve totally fallen in love with, and seen others where I truly wondered if the booker was loaded when they arranged the show. There are tons of shows and festivals going on all the time, which is great when your taste in music really runs the gamut. And obviously being in the biggest city in Canada, all the major touring acts come through, which is nice, and then there’s lots of maybe more obscure folks for people like me to lose their minds over, like Wanda Jackson. That woman is in her 70s and I’ve seen her play three times in the last three years. Every time she comes she plays this wicked local rockabilly bar called the Cadillac Lounge, and I get drunk and dance my face off. To a 72-year-old. Actually, I almost got in a fight over Wanda once with this really tough-looking psychobilly girl…okay. Different story. Next question.

4. If you could play with any musician/singer (living or dead), who would it be and why?
I think about this question all the time. Man, I’d love to totally go wild with Beth Ditto. That lady has pipes! I think we’d have a fun time at karaoke. Oh, THE DAP KINGS. Please, can they be my band? Move over, Amy Winehouse. Sharon Jones can keep them, I’ll just borrow them on weekends. Maybe Prince. We’d collaborate and bake cookies together or something. Come to think of it, I don’t know if he’d be down since he’s all “the Internet is over” and I’m all “I love the Internet!” Maybe we could write a call and response fight-duet kind of song, like that Brandy and Monica jam from the 90s. Actually, that’s awesome. I’m going to look him up.

5. How has the Internet and social networking affected your ability to get your music out to new listeners? Were you surprised by all the views your “Fresh Prince of Bel Air” video got? (For those who haven’t seen it, view here.
Whoa. Okay. Something you should know about me: I am probably the laziest person on the planet when it comes to promoting shows and myself in general. A little bit of it has to do with just feeling uncomfortable with being that person who is constantly harassing people to come to their shows, but mostly it is just that I am pretty disorganized about that kind of thing and it doesn’t really occur to me to promote them. That is to say, therefore, that the Internet is basically the best thing that could have happened in my life because I can essentially sit on my couch without pants on while working on my “career.” In all seriousness, though, no, I had NO idea the Fresh Prince cover would be so popular, and it has afforded me many incredible opportunities since, so I feel very, very grateful. That single video alone has connected me with people all over the globe who are into my music, and that is a beautiful thing. It has also enabled me to find places to stay and bands to share shows with when I’m on the road, and I can’t even imagine trying to do that without the Internet. Once again, let the record show that I think Prince is wrong, at least when it comes to doing music on the grassroots level. YER WRONG, BUDDY! (Call me?)

6. Was there a particular song or artist that made you realize you wanted to be a musician/singer? Or are there any other particular influences/motivations that inspire your songs?
Hmm. I would definitely have to credit my family with this one. My dad and grandfather and uncle and sister and several of my cousins and my nephew are all musicians, so I have never really known life as anything else BUT being a musician. As for motivations, I tend to write about things that trigger something emotionally for me, whether it’s personal experience, or an emotion or thought or idea triggered by someone else’s story—that kind of thing. The other day I chatted with Simone from the (AWESOME) Toronto band $100, and we were discussing the difference in our approaches to songwriting, since she writes almost exclusively as characters. That’s cool and it’s something I’ve been trying out lately. I think it would be nice to get outside my own head a bit in that capacity. Plus, I’d imagine it’s way less embarrassing to look back on.

7. What are some of your favorite bands/musicians that you’ve been listening to lately?
Lately I have been listening to my friends’ bands, like People You Know. They’re an all-girl Toronto rock band who just released their first EP, and I love them, and have total envy of their talent and babeliness. Also, my good bud Carmen Elle, who is my personal guitar hero and plays in a million local bands, but actually her solo stuff is my favorite. And this funk mix CD another pal made for me. Damn. And that Smith song from the Deathproof soundtrack. And the Gossip. And lots of Sharon Jones. Etc, etc! Basically, anything that makes me dance is all right!

For more info on Kay Pettigrew, you can also visit her Facebook page here .