When Ontario singer/songwriter Shawna Caspi last toured the Okanagan, she became so inspired by the landscape that she decided to paint it.
That painting became the album cover of Caspi害羞草研究所檚 recent drop, Forest Fire, for which the classically-trained folk troubadour is on tour with a March 22 stop at Vernon害羞草研究所檚 Record City and a March 28 gig at Kelowna害羞草研究所檚 OUR Coffeehouse.
害羞草研究所淚 was very struck by images of the region in the summer. I had never seen anything like it,害羞草研究所� Caspi said, recalling the smoke-filled sky illuminated in burnt orange hues. 害羞草研究所淭he cover of that record is my first attempt at abstract.害羞草研究所�
Caspi, an Ottawa-born full-time touring musician of five years, took up the brush recently, several years after taking an arts course while studying music at York University in her current hometown of Toronto. Whenever she goes on tour, Caspi captures images with her camera and paints them in her spare time. And, while supplies last, Caspi sells her paintings at the merch desk at shows.
Known for her fingerstyle guitar, Caspi害羞草研究所檚 folk jams are at the route of her success.
害羞草研究所淚 try to write a whole band害羞草研究所檚 sound into the guitar,害羞草研究所� Caspi said of her performance style. 害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 fairly mellow; it害羞草研究所檚 very intimate. My songs are very lyric driven. I do love to tell stories and love to connect with the audience.害羞草研究所�
Beyond painting beautiful landscapes and playing mellow acoustic jams for audiences, that connection is what keeps Caspi going.
害羞草研究所淔or me, a lot of it (what I love) is the travel. Before I was a touring musician, I actually hadn害羞草研究所檛 done a lot of travelling. Now, I害羞草研究所檓 often going to small towns you don害羞草研究所檛 often get to see,害羞草研究所� Caspi said. 害羞草研究所淚 just love meeting new people and making new friends.害羞草研究所�
Caspi is about to embark on a B.C. circuit and is excited to return to the area.
害羞草研究所淚n Canada, I害羞草研究所檝e had quite the opportunity to see the country from coast to coast. That (B.C.) is still very exciting for me to see,害羞草研究所� Caspi said.
For the grassroots singer/songwriter, that intimate connection with the audience and a sustainable career is far more important than the opportunity to play Goliath stadiums.
害羞草研究所淢y biggest goal is to play as many folk fests as possible,害羞草研究所� Caspi said. 害羞草研究所淚 love the feel of a folk fest. It feels like you害羞草研究所檙e at a camp.害羞草研究所�
Caspi brings her fingerstyle folk jams to Vernon害羞草研究所檚 Record City March 22 at 7 p.m. Tickets are available for $10 advance or $15 at the door. Students get in for $10 and children 12-and-under have free access. Caspi害羞草研究所檚 Kelowna jams are slated for 7 p.m. March 28 at OUR Coffeehouse. Tickets are $10 or $5 for Kelowna Arts Council members.
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