Jessica Rhaye is about to embark on an east coast tour.
Saint John singer-songwriter Jessica Rhaye has been on a whirlwind in recent years — travelling the globe playing shows, releasing a few albums along with a DVD and racking up a string of East Coast Music Award nominations not only for her music, but for her graphic design work as well.
Last year, she spoke with East Coast Noise about her latest album, Good Things. This time she’s back just as she’s gearing up to hit the road with an east coast tour (dates can be found below).
1. What are you up to these days, musically or otherwise? (Feel free to plug whatever you’ve got coming up.)
I just got home after being away in Memphis for the Folk Alliance, Vancouver for the Olympics (opened for Classified on the Atlantic Canada House Stage) and Sydney, Nova Scotia for the ECMAs. I have a small tour of the Maritimes coming up … playing at the Blue Olive in Saint John, Riverview Arts Centre in Moncton, Live Bait Theatre in Sackville, The Anne Murray Centre in Springhill, N.S. and The Carleton in Halifax, N.S. You can check out my website calendar for more details on these performances.
2. How did you get into the music business and what was the first major lesson you learned once you got your feet wet?
I have been singing and writing music ever since I was a little girl. It wasn’t until I recorded and released my first CD in 1999-2000 that I became involved in the music business. I have since written and recorded two more albums, been nominated for a total of 11 ECMAs and have performed all over Canada, parts of the U.S., England and Niger, Africa.
Along my musical journey I have learned that you really have to get out there and make things happen for yourself.
3. What song or album have you been listening to most lately?
Neil Young Comes a Time has been in my car CD player for about a year now. I love his version of Ian Tyson’s song Four Strong Winds.
4. What’s your favourite way to waste time or relax?
I like to look for new recipes online and cook/bake in my spare time. I find it relaxing, fun and sometimes very delicious. 
5. The Internet and social media are allowing artists to get closer to their fans than they ever were in some respects. What are your thoughts on this?
The Internet and social media allow artists to promote themselves directly to their fans, and because there are so many different networking medias available it is easier for fans to find new music and for artists to keep their fans updated, on a personal level, on what’s going on what’s coming up, IE: concerts, music and everyday happenings.
6. If you weren’t in the music industry in some capacity, what would you be doing today?
I would probably just concentrate on graphic design.
7. What’s the most interesting thing you’ve learned recently?
I just learned how to prepare a print file with spot lamination.
8. If you could hit the “delete” button on anything related to music (a song, artist, trend, whatever), what would you delete?
Hmmm … Well, I wish I could delete some of my first “starting out on stage” moments … I know everybody has to start somewhere, but there are a few memories I wish I could delete and fast forward to now.
9. What’s your favourite thing to drink (alcoholic or otherwise)?
Caesars with no tabasco, and red wine.
10. Finish the sentence below and please elaborate on what you mean:
The east coast music scene … features some of North America’s most talented artists/music. When I was in Memphis for the Folk Alliance, there were thousands of music artists, from all over the world performing and showcasing their music all hours of the day and night. It was overwhelming, however, I found myself in the ECMA room every night listening and enjoying the music from the east coast. It would suck me in and keep me there all night.
11. What’s the next thing you want to accomplish, musically or otherwise?
I’d like to get out and perform for more people, and I’d like to start a family in the very near future.
Catch Jessica at the following shows:
Apr. 8 – Blue Olive, Saint John, N.B.
Apr. 9 – Anne Murray Centre, Springhill, N.S.
Apr. 10 – Live Bait Theatre, Sackville, N.B.
Apr. 11 – Carleton, Halifax, N.S.
Apr. 16 – Riverview Arts Centre, Riverview, N.B.
Apr. 17 – Junofest @ O’Reilly’s, St. John’s, N.L.
Check back to EastCoastNoise.com next Friday for a chat with: Marco Rocca
Last year, she spoke with East Coast Noise about her latest album, Good Things. This time she’s back just as she’s gearing up to hit the road with an east coast tour (dates can be found below).
1. What are you up to these days, musically or otherwise? (Feel free to plug whatever you’ve got coming up.)
I just got home after being away in Memphis for the Folk Alliance, Vancouver for the Olympics (opened for Classified on the Atlantic Canada House Stage) and Sydney, Nova Scotia for the ECMAs. I have a small tour of the Maritimes coming up … playing at the Blue Olive in Saint John, Riverview Arts Centre in Moncton, Live Bait Theatre in Sackville, The Anne Murray Centre in Springhill, N.S. and The Carleton in Halifax, N.S. You can check out my website calendar for more details on these performances.
2. How did you get into the music business and what was the first major lesson you learned once you got your feet wet?
I have been singing and writing music ever since I was a little girl. It wasn’t until I recorded and released my first CD in 1999-2000 that I became involved in the music business. I have since written and recorded two more albums, been nominated for a total of 11 ECMAs and have performed all over Canada, parts of the U.S., England and Niger, Africa.
Along my musical journey I have learned that you really have to get out there and make things happen for yourself.
3. What song or album have you been listening to most lately?
Neil Young Comes a Time has been in my car CD player for about a year now. I love his version of Ian Tyson’s song Four Strong Winds.
4. What’s your favourite way to waste time or relax?
I like to look for new recipes online and cook/bake in my spare time. I find it relaxing, fun and sometimes very delicious.
5. The Internet and social media are allowing artists to get closer to their fans than they ever were in some respects. What are your thoughts on this?
The Internet and social media allow artists to promote themselves directly to their fans, and because there are so many different networking medias available it is easier for fans to find new music and for artists to keep their fans updated, on a personal level, on what’s going on what’s coming up, IE: concerts, music and everyday happenings.
6. If you weren’t in the music industry in some capacity, what would you be doing today?
I would probably just concentrate on graphic design.
7. What’s the most interesting thing you’ve learned recently?
I just learned how to prepare a print file with spot lamination.
8. If you could hit the “delete” button on anything related to music (a song, artist, trend, whatever), what would you delete?
Hmmm … Well, I wish I could delete some of my first “starting out on stage” moments … I know everybody has to start somewhere, but there are a few memories I wish I could delete and fast forward to now.
9. What’s your favourite thing to drink (alcoholic or otherwise)?
Caesars with no tabasco, and red wine.
10. Finish the sentence below and please elaborate on what you mean:
The east coast music scene … features some of North America’s most talented artists/music. When I was in Memphis for the Folk Alliance, there were thousands of music artists, from all over the world performing and showcasing their music all hours of the day and night. It was overwhelming, however, I found myself in the ECMA room every night listening and enjoying the music from the east coast. It would suck me in and keep me there all night.
11. What’s the next thing you want to accomplish, musically or otherwise?
I’d like to get out and perform for more people, and I’d like to start a family in the very near future.
Catch Jessica at the following shows:
Apr. 8 – Blue Olive, Saint John, N.B.
Apr. 9 – Anne Murray Centre, Springhill, N.S.
Apr. 10 – Live Bait Theatre, Sackville, N.B.
Apr. 11 – Carleton, Halifax, N.S.
Apr. 16 – Riverview Arts Centre, Riverview, N.B.
Apr. 17 – Junofest @ O’Reilly’s, St. John’s, N.L.
Check back to EastCoastNoise.com next Friday for a chat with: Marco Rocca
