A big, complicated hug from Annabelle
Last updated 05:45, Friday, 19 September 2008
When Annabelle Chvostek answers her phone it transpires she has just climbed a hill in Devon, and is enjoying glorious views out to sea. A fitting setting for this free spirit to discuss her music, past and present.
Best known as a one-time member of Canadian folk trio the Wailin’ Jennys, Annabelle is touring the UK following the release of her latest solo album, Resilience, which she describes as “a big, complicated hug”.
Tonight she will play Carlisle Folk and Blues Club, with Tony Spina on drums and Jérémie Jones on bass.
“The set will be a lot of stuff from Resilience, and some songs written by me and released on the Wailin’ Jennys’ album Firecracker,” she explains. “It’ll be good to have a whole evening – we can create a flow, tell a bit of a story.
“Going solo again is like starting from scratch, but it’s really exciting, just to take my own work overseas.
“I love England. The people are wonderful, and I enjoy the pubs and fish and chips. Those basic daily things are delightful to me.”
Music has always been a part of Annabelle’s life ; as she puts it: “I formed with the vibrations of my mother’s guitar”. Alongside her journalist mum’s love of guitar, her TV-producer dad played mandolin.
She grew up singing, and made her professional debut with the Canadian Opera Company at the age of seven.
Music is not her only passion. In her 20s she gained a fine arts degree, and there has also been travel to Japan and India, where she worked as a journalist.
Back in Canada she moved from Toronto to Montreal, where she has lived for the last 14 years. “Toronto is quite business-oriented, there is less time to focus on art. Montreal is a cutting edge community, people can take creative risks, do things with rough edges.”
Annabelle had been touring the folk circuit for years when, in 2004, the Wailin’ Jennys got in touch. “They called me to audition. They were seeing about 14 or 15 people I think. We got together and it really clicked. They wanted a lower harmony, which I could do. It was easy and fun.”
She was with the band until 2006, when she decided it was time to follow a different path.
“I offered to be part-time, to have a balance. But they are focused on being full time as a band. So yes, we have definitely parted ways. It is like starting over, but I’ve got a palette of ways to express myself, and I’m having fun.”
Annabelle Chvostek plays Carlisle Folk and Blues Club at the Sunset Suite, Brunton Park, tonight. Call 01228 515 061 for tickets.
