This time, we get to know Blue Dirt Girl, a currently four-piece blues and alternative band based in Vancouver consisting of, Katheryn Sutherland, fearless leader, lead singer, reverend electric/pedal board, songwriter, co-producer studio sessions, booking agent, produce local "give back" and "make $ hopefully" shows, social media person, web designer and maintainer, scout out for merch and videos. Albert Klassen~ bassist (stand-up and electric, songwriter, backup vox, assists with all shows. Billy~ BDG manager ~ 12-pound Havanese who agrees with everything I say. Right now added Baylie Adams ~ saxophone player
The track "Desire" is featured in the New Artist Spotlight Family of Playlists.
Link To New Artist Spotlight Playlists:
1. Tell us a little about where you are from and what you are currently doing.
1/2 of my heart is in Saskatchewan, a CDN province, and Vancouver/Gulf Islands. Currently, I am recording 12-14 songs at Park Sound Studios in North Vancouver BC with Dan Ponich. Albert and I have about 25 songs to record so we had Dan (co-producer/rec. engineer/synth guitar on Blue Dirt Girl 2021 EP) over for a listening party. Dan chose 12 that he would be interested in working on. This time around we have Baylie Adams on sax for many of the songs. Albert and I are co-producing this one with Dan. New role for Albert but the songs are almost all co-written by Albert and myself. I am resisting booking any shows, producing any shows, and taking a look at what I am doing creatively. I cleaned and simplified my website and took down my STORE on the website. I am sifting through all the scraps of paper with ideas stacked on my desk. There is no name for the upcoming album and no image...unusual for me. I am an avid volunteer and member of NAS and it gives me hope to finally find a like-minded community of artists supporting artists.
2. What inspired you to start playing and making music?
Honestly, I read the dictionary when I was young, I had a vivid imagination and a ton of unchecked anxiety and likely ADHD. I picked up a guitar at 12 and it was a natural fit. I started writing songs around the same time. My older brother Kent listened to Elton John, ELO, Steely Dan, SuperTramp, etc really loud and I soaked it in.
𝟯. Who are your biggest influences?
Jane Siberry Patti Smith This Mortal Coil PJ Harvey Kate Bush David Bowie Daniel Lanois Jack White all write lyrics that mean something personal But are relevant to many people's lives Sometimes they are hidden in a story or straight out there. The vocals are delivered authentic not always "pretty" or "perfect" but sung like they mean it. Each instrument and the vocal lines have a character like in a play...a part to play. Dark songs and light songs.
4. What are your goals in the music industry?
I want my music to be heard far and wide. Like or hate it doesn't matter to me. I would like to tour around the world and across Canada. The States some parts other parts nope. That for me is around the different States' politics on human/humane rights for everyone.
5. Tell us about your creative process when you make new music.
Sometimes I read a line in a book or article and write it down. Sometimes something happens directly in my life and I journal it. Or I hear a song and record parts of it or a lick comes up in my mind. Take it to Albert and suggest a bass part or he creates one. If lyrics hit him he will add in ideas. He does the same with me.
6. What is your all-time favorite song?
Can't answer that question too many songs
7. What is the best advice you have either given or received in terms of music?
Drop yourself into the nothingness when you sing and play. Connect to the earth (prefer bare feet for shows) and feel the vibe come right up your body and let it go vocally or swing and play the guitar part.
8. Proudest accomplishment?
Using both my son's art for single covers, and having my eldest son play beats on a song we did a remix of, Blue Dirt Girl my brother's sketch, and partner's logo. Getting Blue Dirt Girl off the ground and keeping it true to me. Name Blue Dirt Girl
9. Just for fun! What's been your most embarrassing moment so far?
Playing guitar at an outdoor festival I heard a loud thrumming sound and kept playing. Albert was playing bass behind me and reached over my shoulder and silenced my lo E string and voila thrum was gone He never missed a beat (neither did I)
𝟭0. Tell us about your lowest and highest points in music so far.
The lowest point was having another musician, I played with for over 18 years, decide to end the partnership I did not want it to end but wanted an outside second band. She interpreted that as "it's over." That low point led to my highest point which was in 2015 creating Blue Dirt Girl
Stream "Desire" now
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Nice - I'm a big fan 💚
I'm a big fan too! I love that we share some influences! Can't wait to hear the new songs. xo
Big fan here! Great getting to know you more and such awesome answers! I was also a dictionary/thesaurus reader as a kid. Barefoot playing love it! Sounds like Sandie Shaw!
I love Blue Dirt Girl. There's a real honesty to your music. Thanks for let us know more about you.