Hi! You recently released ‘Magpie Heart’ and it’s brilliant. For anyone who’s yet to hear it, how would you describe the track?
Thank you so much! I’m glad you like it. I’d describe the track as heartfelt, uplifting, warm, and banjo-driven. It’s a big thank-you to the people whose love and friendship got me through these last crazy years, and a tribute to people who walk their own path and don’t think or act like everybody else.
Where did you record it?
I recorded it at my manager/producer’s studio in East Vancouver. It’s a pretty stripped-down track; I think there are vocals, banjo, ukulele bass (a big ukulele that’s tuned like a bass guitar), and some background vocals. I performed all the instruments and vocals on the track, and Jayne Trimble recorded and mixed it.
Are you planning to make it part of a larger release, such as an EP or album?
Yes! It’s from an EP called Ghost In This House, and it’ll be released on Bandcamp May 19th. You can pre-order it here:
https://littlefox604.bandcamp.com/album/ghost-in-this-house
I’m very interested in how you started your adventure with music, and did you know from the beginning that this is what you wanted to do?
When I was younger I always thought I’d work in professional theatre, and I have done, for many years. Music has always been a big part of my world, and I was able to make more impact as a composer, music director, and actor-musician than just as a straight-up actor, so I took the path of least resistance. Then over the last few years I got more into writing my own songs and now I’m making more time for that because it’s now my favourite form of self-expression.
Your music interweaves so many different styles and sounds. If you could collaborate with anyone in the world, who would it be and why?
Good question- It’s hard to narrow it down but one of the best live concert experiences I had last year was seeing a German band called Meute. They play EDM, but on marching band instruments like brass, percussion, and drums! They get just a massive sound, and I that would be so fun to sing over. Some of my music is quite pop-y, so it would be fun to really embrace that.
What’s been your favorite musical experience to date?
There are many, but my favourite experience with my band was at a really fun venue called Guilt & Co. in Gastown, downtown Vancouver. I played a set there last December with my full band, and we just sounded electric. The chemistry was perfect, and people in the audience were really feeling it. Some gigs feel like hard work and some feel effortless. That one was magical.
Where are you based? Can you tell us how the music scene there has inspired your sound at all?
I live and work in Vancouver, on the unceded land of the Coast Salish First Peoples, so I have two answers to this: first of all I want to acknowledge my privilege in being able to tell my stories through my songs, as I know that for a long time the stories of the people who first lived here were actively erased by those who came later. So I know that my voice is just one of many, and that gives me perspective and, hopefully, some humility.
And secondly, Vancouver is home to a fabulous roots, country, and folk community. I respect and admire so many of those musicians, and their work has definitely inspired me. It’s hard to get gigs in Vancouver because there aren’t a ton of venues to begin with and Covid just made that more challenging, but I do have to say that there are a few venues that are really supportive of a variety of musical genres, and that’s super helpful.
If you could perform at any venue in the world, where would it be and why?
The Gorge in Washington State, is an incredible amphitheater with a jaw-dropping scenic view. It would be very aool to play there. But honestly, anywhere where people listen instead of talking through your whole set is a treat. People in Vancouver are…not always great at listening to bands, and it’s always a treat when you start singing and a hush falls in the room. You really feel like you’ve earned it in this town!
And what was the first album you remember owning?
I remember buying cassettes by Gowan and George Michael at the Eaton’s Centre in Toronto when I was young! And now one of my music classes is performing “Careless Whisper,” and one of my teenaged students told me that George Michael “slays for days,” so I guess I had good taste?
Finally, have you got anything to share regarding upcoming gigs, and what have you got planned for 2023?
2023 is a busy year for LittleFox! I have a tour in May to promote the new EP- we’re going to play some folk clubs and small venues on Vancouver Island and some of the Gulf Islands as well. Then I go to L.A. in June to record a single with my manager/producer, which is going to be a lot of fun. Lots of gigs around Vancouver throughout the summer as well, and then hopefully a tour of Ontario in the fall… and I also want to record an album with my band, since the last EP was a solo one. You can get all our info on my website: www.onelittlefox.com
