The Write Place At the Write Time Page 1 of 13 The Write Place At the Write Time Home Come in...and be captivated... About Us Interviews Fiction Poetry "Our Stories" non-fiction Writers' Craft Box Writers' Contest! Exploration of Theme Archives Submission Guidelines Feedback & Questions "Underwater Thing" by Jim Fuess; www.jimfuessart.com It was my recent honor to speak live with international musician/singer/composer, Loreena McKennitt. Ms. McKennitt has sold over 14 million albums across the globe, enjoying great success and http://www.thewriteplaceatthewritetime.org/interviews.html 9/12/2009 The Write Place At the Write Time Page 2 of 13 over 14 million albums across the globe, enjoying great success and acclaim with gold, platinum and multi-platinum sales awards in fifteen countries. As the head of Quinlan Road, her own internationally successful record label, she puts her creative touches to all aspects of her work. Involved in extensive charity enterprises, she gives back to the world that has so richly embraced her unique brand of cultural storytelling that pours through her hypnotizing voice into her music. The Celtic spirit of capturing the essence of history is apparent in her songs which weave tales of her studies and travels all over the world. We hope you enjoy our talk with the timeless, talented, Loreena McKennitt... Interview by Nicole M. Bouchard 1) It has been said of your profession in music, that music chose you, rather than you choosing it. So often the same can be said of many artistic professions including written and visual mediums. How would you describe your draw to music and the circumstances surrounding it; how it was thus acknowledged as a great passion in your eyes? I don't know how I'd describe it... music is a fascinating, universal medium over the ages to sustain and evoke emotions. It is like an oral pharmacy... A vehicle through which other things can be explored or expressed... Though I'd initially pursued an agricultural college for the purpose of learning veterinary medicine, each time there would be a path or opportunity to perform, I would always wonder how far I could go into music. At a market in Toronto, I sold the first cassettes of my work in 1985. It was a purely organic, grass roots beginning. I'd characterize my pull toward immersing myself in music as responding to an interest, a demand for what I was doing, rather than pursuing it without cause. My passion is in the performances, the making of music, and I'm grateful for this measure of talent, curiosity and intellect that I possess to pursue this act of self-education. I have the tempermant and psychological make -up of a http://www.thewriteplaceatthewritetime.org/interviews.html 9/12/2009 The Write Place At the Write Time Page 3 of 13 have the tempermant and psychological make -up of a veterinarian which is what I'd initially thought I'd become. I'm not an extrovert and since I'm not quite comfortable performing in public, I'm always framing it in mind that I'm sitting with friends, sharing what I've discovered. It then becomes exciting and fun with a more personal aspect to it. 2) Having been a long-time fan of your music, I've not only appreciated the melody, but the words themselves. Particularly, as a writer, I see you as a great storyteller, whether you pen your own tales or whether you derive inspiration from works such as "The Lady of Shalott" by Tennyson, William Shakespeare's "The Tempest", or classic songs such as "Greensleeves". Do you feel that it is a part of your ancestry which naturally compels the storyteller behind the music? To a modest degree. Intellectually, I respect the role of storytelling to convey information, messages, to impart and pass on wisdom through narrative formats. Personally, I wasn't exposed to much storytelling. I saw it more in my early adult life when traveling through Ireland; sixteen verse poems would come from the mouths of farmers in pubs. They are natural wordsmiths. 2b) I had the distinct pleasure of seeing you perform live on a U.S. tour. What struck me the most was that the performance was not only stimulating in an entertainment sense, but you also taught your audience through sharing your travels and extensive cultural research. It was such a unique, life- enrichening experience. On your site, you answered a question with the following: " This song was an attempt to bring some historical relevance to the present. Many times, as I undertook my research and travels, I was confronted with the questions: “What has history taught us, and do we have the capacity to learn from it? As someone who has simply pursued her muse through an informal excavation of the past, I find that the historical landscape is littered with themes of war, peace, love, self-determination, liberty, identity, home, and cultural, religious and spiritual interactions. This song http://www.thewriteplaceatthewritetime.org/interviews.html 9/12/2009 The Write Place At the Write Time Page 4 of 13 identity, home, and cultural, religious and spiritual interactions. This song is rumination on how, over time and space, our basic needs as human beings seem to have remained the same: a need for identity, for belonging, for liberty, for spiritual engagement, for ways to resolve conflicts of interest." Do you feel that it is of a particular importance to study our past in order to learn how to deal with the present and presumably the future? Also, through your cultural research, you've spoken of sameness over time and space; what, if any, changes do you think are most prevalent between the past and the modern societal landscape? Yes, I do- if the logic follows that you learn or experience something and take it with you in a positive way, going through without wasting time, things are not singular to you, but universal. Each time has its own ingredients and character. We are shaped by what shaped our ancestors. For a person not to know their history is like having amnesia. We have a lot to study in history and then based on those observations, we can make informed decisions. There is an inner conflict of primal instinct vs. intellect. At the end of the day, there are the same basic needs- people will always need to be loved. Without learning from the ages and acting on primal overdrive, it is as though we are trying to operate something without a manual. I'm a casual person taking an interest in history and human nature. Yet to answer your question concerning changes between the past and present, I feel that in the modern landscape it seems that there can be some timeless flaws which are now intermingled with unique advances, travel and a complicated, fast world. We as a species often seem unequipped to deal with our existence at present- there are still fundamental questions and a lack of cohesion. Families used to live near to one another making the structure of societies more comprehendable and managable. There are certainly positive http://www.thewriteplaceatthewritetime.org/interviews.html 9/12/2009 The Write Place At the Write Time Page 5 of 13 comprehendable and managable. There are certainly positive aspects and progression over the centuries, yet the importance of studying and learning from our past is still prudent as we approach the future. 3) You've performed for royalty, been Grammy-nominated, and your entrancing song "Mummer's Dance" brought further awareness of your brilliant work to mainstream music stations. What has been one of the most rewarding moments, either personally or professionally, during your career? It's tricky to identify one. I'm always surprised and grateful how music works for people: weddings, babies, funerals, healing (its uses on autism or blind women in Verona, Italy) learning to play the harp- the impact of music is always profound. Performing at Radio City in New York and for the Queen are uniques milestones for me, each with a unique quality. 4) Please tell us more about Quinlan Road; its origin, creative freedom and purpose in world music. Quinlan Road was initially just a name I used for a so-called "label" when I was recording in 1985- at the time, I lived on Quinlan Road! Our office went to Stratford from the kitchen table. There was creative autonomy 1985-1990 when I was not associated with a major record company. Having my personal touch on the performances and art work was important and as I was still financing things, Warner had no issue with that. It has been a busy four years, catching my breath and as the music industry is shifting, brick & mortar disappearing, we're reconfiguring how we do business. 5) Concerning your interest in the connection between a being's spirituality, physiology and psychology, I think it is fascinating to see how this not only applies to humans, but also to animals, deeply in touch with nature and the http://www.thewriteplaceatthewritetime.org/interviews.html 9/12/2009 The Write Place At the Write Time Page 6 of 13 applies to humans, but also to animals, deeply in touch with nature and the earth. I have a peculiar pet that loves Rodgers and Hammerstein, has to be sung to sleep and listens avidly when read to. If I hadn't had this experience firsthand, I might not have believed it. Do you feel personally that words hold particular vibrations that extend beyond the influence of sound perception which is likened to the sense of touch? Not so much the words as the emotional sentiment, tonality..