Steph Macpherson
Growing up in Victoria, Steph Macpherson, one of Canada’s upand-coming singer-songwriters, used to love singing along to the Little Mermaid and other Disney television classics.
Now her love of singing has her opening to some of North American’s great musicians, such as Sarah Mclachlan, Sheryl Crow and Colbie Caillat.
Compared to Sarah Harmer, without the activist edge, Macpherson has played a number of big festivals, including Lilith Fair and Junofest.
To expand her musical repertoire beyond Disney, Macpherson’s parents put her in piano and voice lessons at the age of four. And somewhere along the way, Macpherson also picked up the guitar.
Now all grown up, Macpherson has moved from Vancouver, a musical hub known as Hollywood North, to focus on her career in alternative country.
In April, Macpherson released her first full-length album, Bells & Whistles.
“It was a real challenge to write some upbeat songs,” said Macpherson, who needed some happy beats to break up what would have been a relatively sombre disc.
Known for her melancholy piano songs, Macpherson was used to writing only when she was in the mood, often tackling themes related to her relationships and career.
“Music has always been a good outlet for my emotions. I can express myself without sounding like a whiner,” said Macpherson, about why she often writes solemn songs. “Music is my confidante.”
But with an album to complete, Macpherson was under pressure to write a few tunes that would lift the spirit and balance out the album. The result was well-received, and her songs have been topping the college-radio charts.
After tasting a bit of success, Macpherson said she now wants more.
“I want to keep making albums, touring, and playing to bigger audiences, maybe even outside of Canada.”
Macpherson currently has her eye on New Zealand and the U.K. as her next tour destinations.
New territory for Macpherson, who, up until now, has often stuck close to home turf — touring around B.C. and Alberta, occasionally going east to Ontario and Quebec.
As a musician, Macpherson said her career has been all about taking small steps — first writing songs, then booking her first show in a Mexican restaurant for friends and family, and eventually releasing her EP, To You, in 2009, which was strongly supported by airplay an CBC and college radio stations.
Previously a solo act, this time, Macpherson will be touring with a full band. “It will be a lot of fun,” she said. Macpherson has been using Twitter and Facebook to get the word out about her work.
“It’s a great way to network and interact with the fans.”