Loveridge finds her muse by moving on
In 2010, Lorelei Loveridge decided to break up with music.
You would expect that this wasn’t an easy decision for the globe-trotting singer-songwriter, teacher, writer, and counsellor, but it was. Until music made a convincing case for the two to get back together.
“It’s funny, because you turn your attention back to life and it just comes to you again,” Loveridge marvels. “I ended up working in Qatar a few years ago, where I found this thriving music scene. After being taken to an open mic in Doha, I became a part of the professional music scene there. I guess I just thought that if Sade can take 10 years off between albums then I can too.”
Now working as a theatre arts teacher in Jubail, Saudi Arabia,
the Edmonton-born Loveridge is back performing again, picking up shows this summer in England as well as a one-off in her hometown. We spoke with Loveridge about finding new ways to express yourself, and revising expectations.
Q Do you regret the time you took off?
A No, because the minute I put down the idea of being a songwriter as a career and decided to play for love it put me back on the correct path. When I pick up the guitar now it’s out of a pure place of being curious. It takes the pressure off me, not having to constantly think about marketing, or building a career.
Q Your last record was 2008’s Bakhoor, which received glowing reviews for its mixture of traditional folk storytelling and world music influences. Were you ground down by the touring of that album?
A I remember I played a one-off here in Edmonton that did really well, and I sold lots of records. The reception was beautiful, and then we went to the U.K., where I was getting 20 pounds a show. That was an eye opener. I thought that I could build a career there, but while you can gig a lot and get a name for yourself, there just
isn’t that much money.
Q So you turned to other outlets for creativity?
A Blogging, online and spoken poetry; someone told me she really liked reading my blog because I was a natural storyteller, and that gave me an epiphany. No matter what form it takes, whether songwriting, poetry, or directing, it’s the storytelling that matters.
Q Does this mean that there are some new songs coming?
A I have plans to record, but it all comes down to timing. I have the songs, and I also have a friend back in Manchester who owns Limefield Studio, where I would want to work. All of my recordings have been big productions, but I’d want to get back to a rootsier sound, something like what Ani DiFranco does, and I feel that the English folkies are really doing that right at the moment.
Q It sounds as though you’ve found a way back into music that doesn’t involve bashing your head against the wall.
A I had a chip on my shoulder about not getting to where I wanted, and then a friend of mine said, “You know, Lorelei, you’ve done everything you’ve wanted to do. You’ve played and presented at the Womex Music Festival, you’ve gone to Midem (in Cannes, France), you’ve had a record deal in India. You’ve had a great adventure, but you just didn’t make the money.” That was helpful to hear, because for a time I expected the level of success of Sarah McLachlan or Melissa Etheridge. It didn’t happen, but I’ve done my own thing and it continues to be an adventure. I’m happy with that.