Never Surrender

On Friday, Massey Hall hosted Matt Mays. I wasn't actually there to see him, and not just because I had another show to attend. But I mostly wanted to see Kathleen Edwards. I caught her as a guest at a concert and was impressed with her talent. But she left the music business soon after to start Quitters Coffee (wink) in Stittsville with only a few one-off shows. So tonight was my first taste of her original material.

I can see why she still has loyal fans. Edwards is a great songwriter. Her music combined honest and wry observation of everyday travails with sharp and evocative imagery. Whether or not historically accurate, there is a movie trope about salt-of-the-earth people like farmers who possess surprising literary acumen or verbal eloquence. Her set had that feel. Long-time fans cheered when she played new songs inspired by her recent experiences: whether turning 40 or having a new significant other and by extension, inheriting his 4 kids. Like myself, they'd probably hope that these might make it into a new album someday.