Terra Lightfoot steps out of her comfort zone

At the age of five, singer-songwriter Terra Lightfoot discovered music connected her to people.

The Canadian folk-rocker from Ontario would sit beside her grandmother on a bench while the elder musician played piano at choir practices.

Although from different generations, the two shared a passion for music that only deepened after Lightfoot’s mother gave her daughter a guitar at age 12.

“After school I’d play the guitar and at night I’d sleep with it,” laughs Lightfoot.

At the time of the Gazette’s interview with the Hamilton-based recording artist, Lightfoot was on a month-long tour of Germany, France, Belgium and the Netherlands.

“It’s been quite a ride,” said Lightfoot describing the warm and hospitable welcome from her European hosts.

But it was the gigs in Scotland that brought her full circle to a heritage she’d only heard of through stories. The touring artist returned to the Lightfoot family ancestral home where her grandmother grew up.

“Unfortunately the house had been demolished,” said Lightfoot. “But the coolest thing was seeing a lot of people that resembled us, whether they were strangers or not.”

No stranger to the Canadian circuit, the blues-rooted singer-songwriter has received acclaim for her 2015 sophomore album Every Time My Mind Runs Wild newly released in the United States and Europe.

It’s an enjoyable mix with catchy lyrics and infectious melodies. But it’s Lightfoot’s natural multi-octave vocal range that creates a level of believable authenticity.

She describes herself as a “micro-writer,” someone that pens songs about the raw emotions emanating from the heart – love, lust, loneliness and temptation.

Along with long-time backing support drummer Joel Haynes, bassist Matt Fleming and keyboardist Jeff Heisholt, Lightfoot makes her Arden Theatre debut on Saturday, Oct. 15.

“It’s going to be fun and exciting. I’m going to play the piano. I haven’t played it in a long time and there’s a lot of pressure to do well.”

She has played alongside the likes of Ron Sexsmith, Emmylou Harris, Gordon Lightfoot, Bettye LaVette, Randy Bachman and The Sadies to name a few.

“It was time for me to have my own show. By playing the piano, I’m going to make it as dynamic as possible.”

Opening for Lightfoot is actress and singer-songwriter Cayley Thomas. The multi-faceted Thomas last played Juliet in Freewill Shakespeare Festival’s 2016 production of Romeo and Juliet.

Back in 2013, Thomas released a five-song EP, Ash Mountain, a heartfelt tribute to her late brother. Her latest album, Weird Love, is collection of sparkling retro-flavoured pop songs inspired by her family and a six-month adventure through Asia and Southeast Asia.