Bruce Cockburn ’ s National Anthems
Golden goose of the Juno Songwriters ’ Circle discusses songwriting , his upcoming album , Donald Trump and more
by chris lackner
Wondering where the lions are ? Bruce Cockburn , one of the kings of the Canadian music jungle , will host this year ’ s sold-out Juno Songwriters ’ Circle at the National Arts Centre ( April 2 ).
The annual concert is considered the jewel of Juno Week and features a diverse group of talented artists in a stripped down and candid setting . Songs are shared , songwriting is discussed , and musical magic is conjured . Cockburn , an Ottawa native who currently calls San Francisco home , always relishes the chance to play with fellow Canadian musicians : “ I ’ m not really into having heroes ,” he says when asked about his ideal lineup of peers . “ I ’ d be happy to take whoever comes along … ( But I ’ d love ) anybody willing to play wild electric guitar . I don ’ t get to do that very often .
“ Everyone approaches songwriting a little differently ,” he adds , calling his own songwriting approach and lyrical style “ not storytelling per se ” but more thinking through scenes . Those little vignettes , when added together , have repeatedly created music both beautiful and profound . And the Junos have heard him loud and clear : Cockburn has 12 wins , and 32 nominations . Sounds like he has more than a few things to teach other Canuck songwriters .
The legend in his own words :
On his new album , slated for release in fall 2017 : “ There is a lot of rhythm on this album . Some songs have a bluesier sound than in the past . It ’ s an interesting sound palette ( that includes everything from ) Latin folk rhythms and driving rhythm sections … to a touch of jazz .”
On his song selection for Songwriters ’ Circle : “ I may play some new songs . That ’ s always nerve-wracking … It ’ s fun to try out for an audience . It can also be excruciating depending on what mirror is held up to a song for the first time .”
On trying to force a song : “ It ’ s better to wait for the inspiration .”
On whether he ’ ll be inspired to write a protest song about President Donald Trump : “ Quite likely . It ’ s hard to say how in advance . When I get an idea , I try to grab it … ( but ) it ’ s very disturbing to watch all this unfolding . I don ’ t know anyone down here who is sleeping very well . They ’ re worried and I can understand why .”
On finding his musical muse as a teenager : “ I started playing the guitar as a refuge from the angst of adolescence .”
On being shaped by Ottawa ’ s one-time famous coffee house Café Le Hibou , which played host to the likes of Joni Mitchell and Gordon Lightfoot : “ It was a product of the times , – that whole scene . These clubs in cities that offered local artists the same kind of atmosphere and platform … For the size of Ottawa when I was growing up , there was an out of proportion amount of music being played . It was fertile ground .”
On quitting UC Berkeley to pursue his music career : “ Whatever I was going to do in life , I knew it was going to be with a guitar .”
On deciding to go solo after early success with bands like The Children : “ The kind of songs I like the most were the ones better performed alone .”
march / april 2017 where . ca 17