Sarah Noni Metzner(Interview)

CJSF 90.1 FM
Sarah Noni Metzner performed with Corwin Fox at the Rime on Commercial Drive in Vancouver on November 12, 2005.

There has been a lot of hype and buzz surrounding relatively new and emerging folk artist, Sarah Noni Metzner. Her first album just released this year entitled Something Beautiful, has been getting rave reviews. Listeners are immediately captivated by the album's authentic sound. There is no disputing the sultry vocals that emanate from Sarah's voice, but something unique also flows apart from the acoustics - a blend of varied instruments each facilitating a soothing, yet not totally subdued beat. The result is invigorating.

With sincerity and a non-coercive approach, Sarah attempts to insight a paradigm shift on issues dealing with the environment, maintaining peace and gender equality. Often she adopts an introspective approach within her song writing that insight audible revelations. The themes are diverse and not restricted to political issues but include relationships with family, friends and partners as well.
Over the last couple of months I have rarely put on music and not played a track off her debut album. I found myself playing her CD over and over, wanting to dedicate an entire hour of radio just to her music. As you can imagine, I was anxious to see a live performance and gain some insight as to what type of inspiration Sarah Metzner draws from when creating her sound. I was able to catch her most recent show in Vancouver on November 12 at the Rime where she performed with Corwin Fox. After the show, I was lucky enough to conduct a one on one interview.

CJSF Radio: What artist(s) influenced you during your formative years?

Metzner: "Definitely Bob Dylan. As well as Blind Melon, Joni Mitchel and Taj Mahal. I have also incorporated unique female Jazz artists such as Fitz Gerald. Actually, there are a lot of other Blues, Folk and Jazz artists that have influenced my music. Living in Victoria for the last several years I was able to experience the independent scene, which is very rich in Victoria. I don't have a biased preference towards independent music. But, compared to commercial, independent music has fewer constraints on it, allowing musicians to experiment. You get to witness a medium of free flowing creativity."

Exactly how did your unique sound evolve?

"Well...it's a journey. Once one finds one's own original sound, then this will come across
in the music. Also, if one consciously makes the effort to be real and genuine then that will come across in the music."

Are political Lyrics written intentionally or is it something that you are not necessarily thinking about consciously but just somehow evolves within your mindset?

"It's innate, part of being. Everything is political. People can make a choice to open their eyes or keep them closed. I'm not trying to be preachy and in my music I make an effort so it doesn't come across that way. I just have a conscious commitment to be aware."

Does a different kind of inspiration emanate in different regions,...for example, spending a lot of time in BC as opposed to Central Canada?

"Central Canada has a lot more venues and there is more support for the arts. Not just in terms of preference, but actual financial support. So a lot of artists and people involved with the artists are working regularly.In BC it's more challenging to make it in the Arts. But there definitely are perks to performing in BC. It has comfortable community aspect to it. Personally that's how I feel because that's where my music growth started. About the mindset and political
disposition. BC definitely does have a different mindset or vibe that can influence
writing, lifestyle and social concerns. Liberal views have a higher density in BC, but a liberal ideology is not non-existent or less in other parts of Canada."

How does a road experience manifest into lyrics for a song?

"Diverse experiences in general manifest into lyrics for a song. Being on the road I find most potent in terms of creativity. Meeting lots of people initiates and enhances creativity. It's very busy, and chaotic. Seldom, I experience solitude, which can also initiate creativity because it's a change, something different. I pull on every experience and channel it into my music."

I've played the track "Corrina" often over the air. What inspired you to write that song, is that one of your personal favorites from your album?

"Actually, I didn't write Corrina. It's a cover song from one of Taj Mahal's albums, written in the early 60's. Growing up, it's a track I listened to quite often. My personal best song I would have to say is " Something Beautiful". I wrote that song while on tour through Clayoquot Sound to San Francisco. Not just the tour, but the whole process of creating the song was special. My mother and other family members were able to join me and be involved to an extent while I was in the studio recording. Being able to address an important issue and then having my family involved later on in the process was special."

Sarah Metzner's performance at the Rime was not a disappointment. The live performance lived up to my expectations and in ways surpassed it, including playing tracks that were not on the album. In comparison, her album is more reserved then her live performance, both Sarah Metzner and Corwin Fox let out their inhibitions that night in terms of lyrical and acoustic creativity.

Sarah Noni Metzner will be releasing a new album in early 2006 in collaboration with Corwin Fox. Click on Sarah Noni Metzner's website, http://www.sarahmetzner.ca/ for upcoming tour dates.