Terra Lightfoot: Someone to watch out for
Interview conducted Feburary 20, 2018
By Daniel Locke
Whether you’re talking about her as a songwriter, guitarist or vocalist, one thing is indisputable: Canada’s Terra Lightfoot is an undeniable talent.
Her songs tap into the raw emotion of hearts supercharged by love, lust, loneliness, and temptation. Her playing melds expert finger-picking and distorted, hook-heavy melodies. And her elemental voice commands attention and awe, whether on slow-burning soul ballads or hard-charging rock numbers.
With her bold new album New Mistakes, Lightfoot offers up something rare: the kind of genuine document that can only come from a road-tested breed of songwriter and performer. Shot through with the guitarist-vocalist’s powerful, bluesy soul, vivid lyrics and ferocious six-string virtuosity, it’s an unforgettable outing.
From the ground-shaking stomp of “Paradise” and wild-eyed energy of “Pinball King” that opens the set to the psychedelic, gospel-tinged album closer “Lonesome Eyes,” the steel town native’s third record distills her masterful talent to its electrifying essence.
You’re from Waterdown, a community in the north of Hamilton, Ontario. What’s the music scene like there?
When I was growing up there, Waterdown was just starting to become more suburban, so there wasn’t really much in the way of “scenes” infrastructure like clubs and record stores. People were definitely playing music and there were bands playing at local pubs, but mostly we would have to get out of town to see anything. We’d skip school and drive to Toronto for the day, and go to see music in Hamilton and Burlington as often as we could. My folks moved away to an even smaller town right after high school, so I don’t know about the scene there now…..
Can you tell me a bit about your background?
The Lightfoot side of my family hails from Scotland, where I was fortunate enough to visit on tour a little while ago…my great Aunt and Uncle who I’d never met walked me down the streets of Dunfermline where my grandparents grew up. Lucky gal. The other side of the family is a mixed bag. Austrian, British, Ukrainian…
How would you say your music has developed?
I guess my music came from everywhere. I grew up playing piano and guitar and ventured into classical, jazz, punk, rock, blues, then eventually country and western… I don’t really overdo my allegiance to any one thing unless that thing happens to be music.
Originally, I found music from other sources. I think everyone does. Family or friends would show me a record or a song or get me into something and I would follow that to the point of obsession. Playing music with different people has been huge for me too… co-writing or singing together, learning covers…I learn something from each one of those interactions.
The other thing is the live shows and the people we play with. Sometimes you meet someone on the road and they inspire the hell out of you to be better. Opening for Bruce Cockburn for a month was wild because he’s all about the guitar. He’s one of the best. And it was so cool to get to listen to him and talk with him and expand my playing as we traveled together. I’ve been motivated to stretch out in all directions, I guess.
I hope that answers your question.
How did you start playing guitar? How did you get that guitar and what was it?
I was trained in classical piano and luckily my parents agreed to let me switch to guitar after my mom bought me an acoustic at a garage sale. It was an Anjo. One of my uncles is still hanging onto it for me…
Can you tell me a bit about “Veronica”, your 1972 Gibson SG?
I got her when I was 17 when I was working in a music store, from an older guy in a hardcore band. I played her all day, every day, never let anyone play her or hold her, slept with her — and she’s become a veritable extension of who I am. Now I’m less picky and lots of people have played her. But she’s a real beauty. A kept woman to be sure.
How many guitars do you have and what is the year, make and model of your favorite guitar?
Terra Lightfoot
I have a zillion. Not a zillion. But I have a lot. They are kind of all over the place at friends’ houses or staying with family. I don’t think you’re doing it right if you have too many of something and you don’t share. If I could have any guitar in the world as my next purchase, I think I’d get an old Gibson ES-335, from sometime between 1958 and 1965. Expensive but amazing.
Who is your favorite guitar player?
My favorite player is David Wilcox (the Canadian one) ‚ because he makes me laugh when he speaks with his guitar. I also really love Sister Rosetta Tharpe — she’s so rad. I love John Fahey and his work in fingerpicking and also Chet Atkins. Oliver Wood is another favorite of mine and if I had to select my favorite guitar playing couple, it’d be Tedeschi and Trucks. They’re both badasses. Younger players? Let’s see. I love Emily Burgess, she’s from Canada and she tours with a band called the Weber Brothers. She really knows how to build a solo. I find her playing to be really thoughtful and inspiring. Joey Landreth is great too.
How did you find the people you are touring with? How did you decide on these group of people?
I feel like in a lot of ways they picked me. It isn’t easy to come on the road for so many days every year. We play about 150 shows a year and that doesn’t count the days we have off on the road. I found them all through happenstance…Joel the drummer was a friend of my manager… and the bass player, Maury, was a friend of Joel’s from a university.
You reunited with Gus van Go and Werner F to produce your latest LP. How did you find them?
Gus and Werner had worked with a couple of friends’ bands — Monster Truck and Whitehorse — and those kind friends helped connect us when I was looking to record Every Time… We got along really well when they produced that session and because of that relationship, we were really able to go deeper and wilder on New Mistakes. I’m super proud of the work we did together…and we just got nominated for a Juno for the work on that record. So that feels really nice like we did something right.
How is the LP doing? Are you getting any bits on getting radio play or play on any internet stations?
Well, we’re really lucky to have amazing support from CBC and Sirius in Canada. We get solid college radio play and it’s growing. Most recently, I’ve been getting messages from people in Italy who are telling me they’re hearing “Paradise” on the radio over there. That is very, very surreal for me.
If someone was listening to you for the first time, what 3 videos or songs would you tell them to look/listen to and why?
Hmmm, I like the “Paradise” and “Pinball” videos, as well as the “Norma Gale” video, and I also dig on the video for “No Hurry” that we did, which was all shots from the touring we did in 2016. Also, that’s four things. Hah.
How did you record the video for “Paradise”? How did you find the location?
I was lucky enough to be able to work with the incredibly talented photographer/director Dustin Rabin (who has done work for QOTSA, Foo Fighters, Billy Talent), who’s also responsible for all of the photography on the album. We shot inside this giant maze of industrial buildings in Hamilton called the Knitting Mills – it’s about to undergo redevelopment into a condo complex, and we got in shortly before the real demolition began. So what you see is us occupying a really raw and forgotten place. We liked that video so much that we teamed up with Dustin again for the video for “Pinball King” and there’s one coming for “Ruthless” as well. I am so excited about it.
In 2017 you were honored by the Canadian Independent Music Association for being a touring musician selling at least 25,000 concert seats in a 12-month period. Did you actually get something for that?
Some part of me wishes it came with a new Sprinter transmission or a fresh set of road cases.
Kidding. I received a nice golden framed award, which resides in my manager’s office cause he loves it!
What are some of the bands you have toured with or played alongside?
Man, there are so many. Blue Rodeo, Bruce Cockburn, Daniel Lanois, Emmylou Harris, Gordon Lightfoot, Ron Sexsmith, Built to Spill, Wintersleep, Guided by Voices, The Both, Albert Lee, James Burton, Steve Earle, Grace Potter, Bettye Lavette, Bros. Landreth, Randy Bachman, The Sadies, Whitehorse, Monster Truck, The Wood Brothers, Paley & Francis, Donovan Woods, The Rheostatics, William Crighton, Barr Brothers, Joel Plaskett, Matt Andersen…
You appeared at SXSW, in 2016. How was it? And what did you take from your time in Austin?
It was wild. Alleyways full of gear, no way to park the van, great shows, free beer and friends everywhere, sunshine and also great music everywhere. I had a great time. I’m really looking forward to going to do it all again this year.
You’ve toured all around the world. What has been your favorite country to play in, and why?
I want to go to Italy so badly. I also would love to see New Zealand. I’ve heard so many good things.
You’ve just started back into the tour cycle for 2018. Anywhere you can’t wait to play?
Man, everywhere. Honestly.
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