Reinvented artist
Jill Barber takes over Homburg Theatre on Oct. 11
One of Canada’s brightest stars will come to Charlottetown on Oct. 11, 7:30 p.m., as part of her national tour and to help launch the 10th anniversary season of Sobeys LIVE @ the Centre – Confederation Centre’s fall and winter concert series.
Jill Barber, two-time Juno Award nominee, has evolved over the course of her career, releasing albums in jazz, R&B to pop. Her success is defined not by genre, but by her undeniable songwriting chops and distinctive voice.
Now, the B.C.-based artist is bursting into the world of contemporary pop with her latest release, “Metaphora”, a continuation of Barber’s musical story, tackling such issues as the complications of love, empowerment, sexual politics and depression.
It was mutual friend and musician, Hannah Georgas, who introduced Barber to Ryan Guldemond, the enigmatic lead singer of Canadian band, Mother Mother. Serendipitously, Guldemond lives just a few blocks away from Barber in Vancouver, and they began holding regular song sessions.
“Writing with Ryan was a big departure for me, and very exciting. He’s extremely creative and not afraid to push my boundaries,” said Barber.
“The sessions became part songwriting and part therapy because I was writing about things that felt pretty raw; politics, sexism, being a mother.”
The result is a “Jill Barber like you’ve never heard before,” said a spokesperson for the songstress. “These nine songs are a showcase of Jill’s power and vulnerability as both an artist and a woman. They are introspective, personal, and are, also, an absolute dance party.”
Guldemond co-wrote four of Metaphora‘s songs, including the catchy lead single, “Girls Gotta Do,” a timely call to arms that aims to “challenge the patriarchal status quo, as we usher in a new era of equality,” said Barber.
On “Metaphora”, the songwriter has burst back into the ring with a bold and daring offering of music, executed with the style and grace of a woman who knows exactly what she’s doing. Oct.