PREVIEW
Lisa Loeb
Friday, Feb. 12 at 7:30 p.m.
Arden Theatre
5 St. Anne Street
Tickets: $42. Call 780-459-1542 or http://www.ticketmaster.ca
When Lisa Loeb released her song Stay (I Missed You) for the 1994 film Reality Bites, the then 26-year-old became the first musician to release a No. 1 single without signing a recording contract.
Since that platinum hit single, Loeb has released 12 albums, written two children's books and composed the musical Camp Kappawanna. Despite these accomplishments, she's flown under the radar of most mainstream media.
However, the versatile singer-songwriter's star is ascending once more. Her 2016 children's album, Feel What U Feel, is nominated for a Grammy Award. Ceremonies are in New York City on Sunday, Jan. 28.
"I'm really excited about the nomination. I feel very strongly the songs have positive values and good melodies. I've wanted to have a seal of approval from an organization like the Grammy Awards. It connects you to people who listen to your music and reminds them you are there," said Loeb, who was also nominated in 1995.
In the meantime, the recording artist flies up from her Los Angeles home for a solo concert on Friday, Jan. 12 at the Arden Theatre.
"I really enjoy doing solo performances. That way I can tell more stories," said Loeb who uses plenty of anecdotes to connect with audiences.
In 20 years the bespectacled beauty has changed greatly from serenading the nightclub generation to creating music for children and families. The biggest push came when the mega-giant Amazon hired the mother of two young children for two kid-style animated series, Creative Galaxy and If You Give a Mouse a Cookie.
And it's no small accident that her new album, Lullaby Girl, her third family-oriented release, following Nursery Rhyme Parade! and Feel What U Feel is targeted to children and parents alike.
Released Oct. 6, 2017 via Amazon Originals, Loeb reinvents classic pop songs with a tinge of jazz in charts such as Be My Baby, Dream a Little Dream and What the World Needs Now.
"When Amazon asked me to do it (Lullaby Baby), they thought it would be a companion to the other two. But when I started working with Larry Goldings (producer/arranger), I thought it would be cool to do a piano-based album with a couple of classics such as Pretty Little Horses and Tomorrow."
The Grammy nominee tinkered with ideas and came up with 13 adult tracks that could easily be recast as songs for children.
In addition to Goldings' producing, arranging as well as playing piano, organ and keyboard, other project collaborators are guitarist Adam Levy, drummer Jay Bellarose, bassist Garrettson Lang and co-producer Rich Jacques.
"They have a harmonic vocabulary, something that isn't expected. They play chords in a different way. And I trust the musicians around me. I like to be in charge of what's happening, but I also like to let musicians explore on their own and be creative."
Much of Loeb's inspiration comes from Lyle Lovett and Indigo Girls storytelling qualities as well as Carole King's remarkable melodies that transform children's lyrics into pop confections.
"This is a way to make song and dance come alive. It's a way to recapture family nostalgia. I feel like there are no boundaries and I can focus on storytelling, melodies and harmony."
Prior to the Friday night concert, Loeb is also happy to accept audience requests for songs in her catalogue. Just send her a Facebook or Twitter post.
