MUSIC’S NEXT WAVE
Our 20 for ’ 16 series concludes
It’s not uncommon for those fresh out of high school to head overseas and find themselves, lose themselves, gain insight, lose some brain cells or any combination of the four.
For Okotoks country singer Maddison Krebs, a recent solo trip to Germany and area provided her with some fresh perspective on who she is and a problem she may have. She laughs. “I realize that I’m addicted to music, because when you’re over in a beautiful place and you’re wishing you had your guitar, it’s pretty sad.
“I was just on an adventure,” Krebs explains of the reason for the trip, during which she spent some time with distant relatives, but mainly was on her own.
“I just wanted to go and get some perspective. … It was amazing and really a character- building experience, especially being 18 and being on my own. It was really cool. I’ve definitely got the travel bug now.”
That will likely come in handy because Krebs will soon be going places — literally and figuratively.
She’s just readying for the Feb. 16 release of her new EP, Bulls- Eye, which should put her in the same conversation with artists such as Whitney Rose and Lindi Ortega.
The six- song EP is the result of two years of her honing in on her craft “and finding that sweet spot.” “I feel like I found it,” she says simply. And it’s impossible to disagree. The album is a sensational, summery country offering that’s as cool and refreshing as a creek- dip in July.
She had some impressive help along the way, as well, with mentor Scott Henderson steering much of the recording at OCL Studios just outside the city limits, and a host of other hotshots lending their talents, including Russell Broom, Mike Little and Spencer Cheyne.
“It’s been an amazing experience putting this record together — very emotional, actually. I’ve been waiting and being patient and working on it for such a long time,” Krebs says. “It’s really great to see my songs come to life like this.”
And now, after that European discovery trip and reunited with her guitar, the honey- voiced singer- songwriter is set to throw herself into music full- time and truly make a go of it.
“I can’t wait to see what kind of opportunities come about when the music is finally out,” she says.
“I hope 2016 brings me getting to share my music with people — that’s the goal, on a wider scale.”