Cathleen Lesperance-usually performing as a solo act with guitar...
Recorded CD with Prince Albert musicians- Rich McFarlane- guitars, mandolin, Mick Gratias- bass, Dean Bernier- violin, Eric Johasson- drums , Donna Bergen- percussion
Influences
hum of life, Neil Young, Eddie Vedder, Natalie Merchant, Edith Piaf, Sarah Harmer, Ella, Bob Dylan, heartbeat of the drum, Tracy Chapman, Janis Ian, Woody Guthrie, Indigo Girls, Johnny Cash, Loretta Lynn, Patsy Cline, Elvis Presley, childhood memories of the sounds of my uncle's fiddle, Ben Harper
Sounds Like
hope...the literal translation of my last name "Lesperance"
I grew up in Winnipeg but knew by the time i was 12 or so that i would eventually head west and travel. i've been lucky to travel coast to coast and to the Yukon and lived in the NWT. i love poetry and think it is the answer to the dry english language. i prefer to say more with less. i didn't stumble upon music until my mid twenties, just before heading up north...nursing a wounded heart and reconnecting with the land. i loved the feeling of a melody and words materializing before me... headstrong and independant, self taught with 3 chords and a few songs i'd written, i brazenly played open stages. one of my songs was captured on a recording one night while in ottawa. i happened to wander into Rasputin's Folk Cafe while they were holding auditions for the annual CD compilation.I was a resident at the time of the NWT, and was lucky to perform at Folk on the Rocks in Yellowknife with some amazing northern talent...i've been fortunate to share the stage with many talented musicians...One roll over accident later, a broken wrist, a fantastic man, a move to the south, wrist surgery, a new job and move up the career ladder, renovating a 2 storey character home, an ill father, quitting a job, starting a new job... it is 6 years later....and the music bug is back.... "Gypsy As I Go" my debut cd, released in march 2008, was co-produced and recorded over 3 months with local musicians here in prince albert, Saskatchewan... it is a collection of songs i'd written inspired by love, broken hearts, strong women, politics, and loss...and of hope as well.. i released it on my own "self-titled" label toothfairy records..to reflect my 14 year career in the dental field. ...as a self taught artist, singing and writing feel very natural to me so i'll continue on in my own simple way.....i'm now living closer to my roots...and the big open skies continue to inspire.. when i'm not a songwriter and poet, i'm living on the other side of my brain in the health field..educated as both a nurse and dental therapist.
Cathleen, Cathleen. I miss yer flighty scene. Everyone in Edmonton is anything but serene. Oh to play a show with Cathleen. :O) miss you~ my digits in E-town are 1.780.999.2707... call after 930pm everyday or Sundays off *hugs*
thanks for the kind words. it would be great if you did record here and there is lots of talent to help you with the recording here in town as you might already know. i see your also in town in June. later Len
hi beautiful lady i'm not sure whether i'll be in town in july..more thank likely i won't..but if you want some info about good little venues here i would be happy to help hope all is well with you xo
yer profile pic right now makes it feel so much warmer outside :O) It was the coldest day of the winter so far today (-48 with wind chill)... maybe we are crazy for living here, but it sure makes for "crazy-good" songwriting environment lol happiest of holidays to you Cathleen! xo
Merry Christmas Cathleen. I hope you have a wonderful holiday. I can't wait to get together after Christmas and just play some music together....Talk to you soon
Yes, I really enjoyed our time too. I had to come back one day early from MB...I lost my voice! First time in 3 years of shows that has ever happened! Anyways, hope to see you soon.
