Songs affect everyone differently.
They can give solace when someone is going through a tough time and uplift a person’s spirit when they’re sad. Or a song can just be a tune to get up and dance to.
Nanaimo born singer and songwriter Allison Crowe says she hopes her fans take whatever they need from her work and find their own meaning in her lyrics.
Singing has always been a way for her to connect and share with people.
“For me a lot of it is emotional. I think it is like having a conversation with people,” she said.
Crowe is known for her intensely emotional performances. She doesn’t consciously think of what emotions to bring to the song during performances. It can depend on what kind of day she is having or what she is going through in her life, something completely different than when she wrote the song. When she creates new songs and is writing the lyrics, sometimes something just hits her.
“Sometimes halfway through I will find I am crying,” said Crowe.
Crowe is excited to be returning to her hometown for a performance.
“Maybe I’ll try out my fiddle. It should be a lot of fun,” she said.
She performs at the Port Theatre Friday (Oct. 30) at 7:30 p.m. During previous shows in Nanaimo, Crowe performed solo, but this time she is coming with a band: Billie Woods, guitar; Celine Greb, cello; and Dave Baird, bass. She worked with them earlier this summer during a mini-tour and said “it worked out really nicely.”
Also, this year the tour booking worked out slightly different and she isn’t doing her annual Tidings concert, but it will return next year. During this performance people can expect to hear more of her original songs from her newest album and past works such as Newfoundland Vinyl.
Since Crowe created her own record label, Rubenesque Records Ltd. in 2001, she has released 15 albums. It has allowed her the freedom to create her work in her own way and explore a variety of genres including rock, folk and roots, broadway, jazz and others.
Her newest album, Sylvan Hour, was recorded in one take during a performance in a log home on Salt Spring Island.
“That’s what I prefer – I like that when I am listening to music. Solo live off the floor is the most natural,” she said. “I like listening to live recordings of songs. I love the energy of live.”
Listening to a live performance can also reawaken memories in a person. For Crowe, one of her favourite bands is Pearl Jam and she likes listening to its live performances because it brings back memories.
Crowe performs Friday (Oct. 30) at 7:30 p.m. at the Port Theatre. Tickets are $29 or $24 for students and seniors and are available by calling 250-754-8550 or visiting www.porttheatre.com.
reporter2@nanaimobulletin.com
