She’s an American citizen. She was born in Iowa and grew up along the Mississippi River. Years ago, in an act of romance, she moved to Montreal and assumed the moniker Little Scream. Who is this mystery woman? Is she a spy?
No, it’s nothing that dramatic. Little Scream is the stage name of Montreal-based folk singer/songwriter Laurel Spengelmeyer. Although if it was up to her, the name Little Scream would, like her American residency, be a thing of the past.
“I kind of wish I could change the name now, to be honest, but that is just how it goes once you get out there and do something under a certain name: you get stuck with it,” she says. “So be careful.”
While she’s no longer able to change her stage name, Spengelmeyer is working on changing something else: her citizenship. So far Spengelmeyer has acquired the status of permanent resident, and is working towards her Canadian citizenship. This is a big win for Canada.
When she’s not busy writing and creating music, Spengelmeyer spends her time painting. Evidence of said skill can be seen adorning the front of her latest album, The Golden Record.
Spengelmeyer isn’t just a pretty face with a catchy tune. Upon moving to MontrŽal she attended Concordia University’s design program, which she hoped would help apply to her social-activist tendencies.
“At that time I was way more involved with social activism, which is why I thought design was more applicable,” she says.
Spengelmeyer was never a huge fan of spending hours staring at a computer screen and chose to pursue her social activism through her music instead. While she admits her latest album has her social views presented in a more distant echo, she also assures that her upcoming album will put a greater focus on the issues.
“The best social justice style is just good art. Period,” she says. “If you make good art that moves peoples’ hearts in a certain way, that’s what helps inspire people to be more conscious and to change. It’s not necessarily because you tell them to do that in your lyrics. It’s a tricky balance. On the next batch of stuff that I’m working on that will be more consciously acknowledged.”
So what comes next for this soon-to-be-Canadian? A lot. Spengelmeyer has a life plan, and if her success so far says anything about her character, don’t bet against her achieving these goals.
“I have this bigger-picture outline where I have another two records that I know I want to make, so that is the focus of my life until I get those next couple records out,” she says. “After that, I’m not sure, exactly. I miss working with people, being more actively involved in social justice, and even teaching. I know that that is in my future.”
Little Scream
Tuesday, March 20, 8pm
Lucky Bar, $20
littlescream.com