CORNER BROOK — Allison Crowe does not need holiday cheer to be feeling merry about herself and her music career these days, but it certainly helps.
Crowe, an internationally acclaimed musician, says her rise to success has been a slow, but steady one. Although ready and willing to accept the fame her voice would attract, the gradual path was the one she selected as an independent artist.
As she prepares for another Canadian December tour of Tidings, which she is launching in her “adopted” home province of Newfoundland and Labrador for the first time, she says her career is now in the place she wants it.
“Things are going really well,” Crowe said, as she enjoys some relaxing time in Corner Brook prior to the start of the holiday tour.
Allison Crowe is preparing for another Canadian tour of Tidings.
The first gig — featuring a blend of music from her own seven albums, various cover songs, and popular Christmas hits — will be in St. John’s Nov. 25 at D.F. Cook Recital Hall at Memorial University. She will then return to the place she calls home since 2006, Corner Brook, for a show Dec. 2 at the first United Church.
It will be her first Tidings performance in St. John’s, she believes it is her third one in Corner Brook, and the tour has been ongoing since 2003. She will also be putting off a number of shows throughout December in her native province of British Columbia.
Mixing traditional Christmas carols and holiday favourites with an organic blend of rock, jazz, folk, gospel and soul; Crowe says it is all about having fun and enjoying the holiday spirit.
“It is a time of year when people are going out and having fun,” she said, reflecting on her childhood joys of learning to play the Christmas classics. “It is kind of neat that way. It is like a celebration.”
Although independent, Crowe is not alone in her career. She says she has received much help along the way, inspiring her to continue to give back. Many of her Tidings shows, mainly the ones firmly established in their respective communities, are linked to local charities.
“I think it is a time when people have a generous spirit, and it is nice to work together with the different organizations that may not necessarily get as much help as they should,” she said.
As for her career, Crowe said she spent a lot of time writing earlier this year, preparing lyrics for her eighth album. She said she has basic tracks of those songs recorded too. She says Corner Brook is a great place to write and be inspired to write, because of its beauty and quietness.
Spring tour through Europe
However, it is once again time to perform, so she will put her latest project aside for the time being to focus on Tidings and another tour through Europe in the spring.
“There is all sorts of exciting things on the horizon, so next year should be a lot of fun,” she said.
Crowe, who is celebrating her 30th birthday today, has taken full advantage of social media and the Internet to receive and expand notoriety. Her cover of Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah has received more than 7.7 million hits on You Tube. She is now actually finding her own songs being covered by people throughout the world. It has also been 10 years since she started her record label, Rubenesque Records Ltd.
She said she is pleased with the path she has chosen and the direction it has taken her.
“It is one I have been working on since before I was out of high school,” she said. “It is something I always wanted to do, since I was in high school doing gigs and writing.
“It has been upwards of half my life, and that is crazy to think about.”
Don’t expect her to drift away anytime soon though. She is having too much fun for that.
- cb fan
- - November 16, 2011 at 18:54:36
I first seen Allison Crowe a few years back when she performed in Gitanos. After the first song she sang i fell in love with her music. Ever since its been a family event. Usually between 10-15 of us go. Every year we look forward to going to see her. Even my daughter who first seen her at the age of 7 loved her. So anyone who hasnt had the pleasure of seeing her perform in person should definitly go! You will not be dissappointed. Keep up the great work! :)