Emily Triggs has a new album, The Great Escape. This Calgary-based artist spoke with us about how creating new music was both familiar and challenging.
“I wrote like I always did,” she says, “but I was trying to push myself towards different styles of writing. I like structure in my songs, but lyrically, I was being more creative.”
The songs on The Great Escape explore specific geographical locations. Some are strange and some are poignant. “Summer in Nevada” is about nuclear bomb testing, and the 1950s tourists who would travel to the state to see explosions. In “My Son,” Triggs sings, “All the way to Ausable we will drive along the shore, We will swim in Lake Champlain underneath the burning star.”
“I was exploring topics that were inspiring to me,” says Triggs. “Things I was curious about.” And if the geography found in the songs resonates with people in their own travels, that’s fine with Triggs. “Let’s call it North Americana.”
She recorded the album in Vancouver with producer Paul Rigby. “I had feelings about tempo, and ideas I wanted to follow.” Triggs says Rigby cared about what the songs were about. “That was important to me.”
As she reflects on her third full-length album, she says, “I think the hardest thing for an artist is to get rid of the noise around you that would stop you from taking a risk or trying something different. Sometimes you just need to ignore that noise and get quiet. Pen to paper, or with guitar. I am getting better at that.”
“We reflect what we see around us. Sometimes it’s hard to reflect, but it’s worth it. I feel most comfortable when I can just focus on what I want to do, with my time and my art.”
The Great Escape is at the top of the CKUA chart this week, and Triggs says, “CKUA drives many of us. Artists get excited about promoting their work, knowing that CKUA will be there.”
Emily Triggs will be at The Ironwood Stage & Grill in Calgary on June 20. Autumn tour dates will be announced soon. Find info at emilytriggs.com.
“Summer in Nevada”:
