NOT HIS FIRST RODEO
Singer-songwriter Jim Cuddy likes to keep busy. When he’s not writing, recording or touring with Blue Rodeo, his main creative outlet, the sweetvoiced 62-year-old Canadian musician revisits his ongoing solo career. His fourth solo album, Constellation, ca
Q How do you know when it’s time to make a Jim Cuddy record instead of a Blue Rodeo record?
A It used to be that I would gauge the temperature of Blue Rodeo to see when I could take some time. But now, I think Blue Rodeo wants to work less, so now I can sort of put them out in whatever order I want, I guess. It was time, and I was going to do this, but it coincided with Blue Rodeo wanting to work less.
Q Why does Blue Rodeo want to work less?
A I think (co-founding singersongwriter) Greg (Keelor) needs more time to himself. We’ve gone at a pretty heavy duty pace for many years, and I think that’s not for everybody.
Q But you’re OK with keeping the pace up?
A I like it. I sort of figure I’m lucky to be in shape to do these things, and I don’t want to get myself out of shape. I’m not looking for more leisure. I’d rather have more music, and I like doing my own thing, and (on this tour), it’s turned into quite an endeavour with my two sons and Barney (Bentall). It takes a lot of my thought, and that’s good. That’s what I’m looking for. I’m looking for total absorption, and to keep the muscles of the voice going. So I’m happy continuing to work.
Q What happens to you if you don’t continue to work?
A There is definitely a motivation to work because of what happens when you don’t work. I find I feel a little useless. And I don’t want to feel that, and I worry that I’m letting my skills decline, and I don’t want that, either. It’s not that I don’t like holidays. I like travelling and doing all those things. We didn’t start this tour until February, so in January, I had to be home, which I should look forward to but I didn’t. I had to artificially keep myself working to get my voice strong to do the tour, and that’s boring. It’s like riding a stationary bike instead of riding outside. It wasn’t fun. I feel most productive and good about myself when I’m working. I like to keep it at a regular pace.
Q For some artists, being adored by fans is part of it. Is that the case for you?
A I don’t think so. I certainly enjoy that as part of my work, playing and being well received, but that’s not what I miss when I don’t work. I don’t mind being a little more anonymous for a while. I don’t crave adulation. I try to consider it more of an exchange: I give you music, you give me love, we both have a good evening, see you next time.
Q Do you actually get the chance to be anonymous?
A Oh sure. You become less anonymous when you’re out in the public eye putting out a record and doing shows. When that dies down, I don’t get bugged. People say ‘hi’ and they like the music, and that’s all very nice. So I don’t ever feel beleaguered by it. On a trip or something, unless we encounter Canadians, I know the feeling of being entirely anonymous. I know what it’s like to be the real me. And it’s no problem. I have no problem being me.
Q You mentioned your sons, Devin Cuddy and Sam Polley, and your pal, Barney Bentall. They’re all touring with you?
A Yes. The sons are featured performers. Barney does a short opening set, then he’s a featured performer in (my) set as well. The whole point was to devise a show that was a bit of a revue. I’d play my new record, we play some old stuff, and then we start to bring out the featured artists, and we would be the background band to them. I think it’s worked well.
Q Your son, Devin, has had his own band for a while. What about Sam?
A Sam is the youngest, five years younger. He kind of declared a year and half ago that this is what he wanted to do. We were wondering. We figured he’d head toward the arts, but we weren’t sure whether he’d go into acting or music or whatever. He’s decided on music, and has had songs and a band for the last year. They’re kind of the younger brothers of Devin’s contemporaries. There’s one EP out, and they’re working on a full-length.
Q How come Sam isn’t a Cuddy?
A He’s our third child, and my wife comes from a family of girls, and as she said, she did all the work. So we gave him her name to continue the name.
Q I’m enjoying the YouTube series, Growing up Cuddy, which features you talking music with your sons. What’s it like for you?
A It’s very edifying to hear the boys talk about their influences. They’re very frank. We never get to talk about these things.
Q Do you have any other children to bring into it?
A I have a daughter but she’s not pursuing a professional entertainment career. Out of the five of us, she’s the only one who isn’t, and she has a beautiful voice. Who knows what will happen in the future, but it’s not the way she’s inclined. Currently she does administration for work-share buildings in downtown Toronto. It’s a real job.