Rae Spoon is an old pro when it comes to releasing albums. With a new tour about to launch and their ninth album, bodiesofwater, set to drop at the beginning of September, the Victoria-based singer/songwriter is returning to lyrical roots set deeply in imagery after exploring several other genres.
“Even though some albums go further into pop production, electronic, I like to keep making these albums every once in a while, just because I really like the format, and I think it really showcases the lyrics and stuff,” says Spoon. “If I feel like the material needs that kind of a setting then I’ll definitely pick that kind of presentation.”
The album has a strong theme of connection, whether it’s between people, between ourselves and our own bodies, or between us and the environment. Spoon says that using lyrical images to showcase the concepts of both connection and discovery is inspiring, given the current environmental and political state of the world.
“There’s so much coming up now about protecting water, especially here on the coast. You know, water and the ocean is ever-present in our lives in Victoria, so I think there’s some environment [themes on the album],” they say. “When I first came up with the concept, I actually wanted to write songs for a concert in a pool, which is something I’m still working on with this material.”
Spoon ended up recording bodiesofwater before the pool concert could come to fruition; it might see the light of day in spring of 2019, however. In the meantime, they’re excited to hit the road in support of the new album. While there won’t be a pool on stage, they’re enthusiastic to be collaborating with Respectful Child during the upcoming tour. Spoon says the tour’s set list will focus on bodiesofwater, including one popular, and foul-mouthed, song.
“‘Do Whatever the Heck You Want’ is definitely a crowd favourite—especially when I use the F-word,” they say with a chuckle. “That’s definitely the song that people have responded to. It’s catchy and it’s just a loud, fun song.”
Spoon—who has a deep love of indie music—finds inspiration in old-school Canadian bands.
“I work with a lot of them on my record label that I run out of Victoria,” they say,“folks that I’ve been playing shows with for years, or folks that have been around or just kind of running things their own way. But also, I really love it when artists connect with their communities and do other types of community art or support other artists; that’s my fave type of people.”
An emphasis on community is near and dear to Spoon’s heart, and it shows: the musician is hopeful that everyone is able to connect with the lyrics and meaning of the songs on bodiesofwater.
“I think I wish people would just listen to my music,” they say. “They don’t need to know anything about me. That’s the goal. If you’re a good songwriter, hopefully people don’t need to know who you are, necessarily… I like people having their own input on songs; then the message is more for them.”
With the ever-growing importance of an online presence, the extensions of an artist’s community have grown and evolved since Spoon began making music.
“I think for artists starting out, it’s different than it used to be,” they say. “People could maybe listen to a song on a website when I started out.”
Then there’s college radio, a vehicle that has been instrumental in getting Spoon’s music into the community over the years.
“College radio plays a big part in keeping DIY artists in touch with each other,” says Spoon, who also acknowledges how supportive the arts scene in Victoria is. “It’s been great to be here.”
As someone who has toured Canada extensively over the years, Spoon is no stranger to life on the road. That being said, while Spoon has visited many of the cities on this upcoming tour before, there is one new element to tour life for the artist this time around.
“The thing is, I just learned how to drive,” they say, “so, this will be the first time actually driving myself. So that’s what I’ve been looking forward to. I’ve been practicing a lot.”
Rae Spoon
6:30 pm and 8:30 pm Thursday, September 6
$15, Vinyl Envy
vinylenvy.com