Happy homecoming
Singer-songwriter Rose Cousins excited to bring her music back to P.E.I. on March 21
Rose Cousins has a knack for leading people through difficult passages.
Last year, she helped me navigate the twists and turns of the P.E.I. Convention Centre backstage as we made our way to the podium to copresent the Fans Choice Video of the Year award to Makayla Lynn at the 2019 East Coast Music Awards gala in Charlottetown.
I was impressed by her confidence and the comfort I felt when she led the way.
Similarly, in her new album, Cousins traverses human emotions that are often too difficult to discuss. Entitled Bravado, her fifth studio album came out on Outside Music in February, following the climb of her first single, The Benefits of Being Alone, to No. 1 on CBC Radio’s weekly Top-20.
“No human being escapes fear and doubt and loneliness. It doesn’t matter if you’re in a great relationship or single, there’s no way to escape the basics of human struggle in figuring out who we are and what we should be doing,” said Cousins, during a telephone interview.
Her 12-track album, which she believes is her best work yet, is also for people who long to have more time alone and for those who want a connection with themselves as well as others.
“We present a version of ourselves to the world, but often that doesn’t match our inner world, who we really are. How many micro or macro adjustments are we making to ourselves as we walk out into the world?”
Cousins explores these themes and others in the music that she will share with a home audience when she brings her tour to Charlottetown on Saturday, March 21.
“I’m always excited to come home and play at the Confederation Centre. I’d be so grateful for Islanders to join me there to celebrate,” said the Juno-nominated singersongwriter about the concert, which starts at 7:30 p.m. at the Homburg Theatre.
She will be accompanied by the Atlantic String Machine, as well as members of the Bravado Band – Joshua Van Tassel, drums, Robbie Grunwald, keyboards, Brian Kobayakawa, bass, Dean Drouillard, electric guitars.
When I asked how the evening will unfold, she wasn’t forthcoming with information.
But, what she did tell me is she’s committed to taking the show to the, “highest level".
“It’s really fun to approach the show as a show, something with an arc, and give myself all the tools to do it. There are a few extra bells and whistles this time.” Sally Cole is an entertainment writer
with The Guardian. She welcomes comments about her column as well
as suggestions for future columns from readers. She may be reached at sally.cole@theguardian.pe.ca or by phone at 902-629-6000, ext. 6054.