Interview with Evelynne Ross
What got you into music, and if you had not gotten into music what would you be doing today?
My Dad was a huge collector of LP’s and had a strong appreciation and love of music of all kinds. I started listening to and singing music as a very young girl, with a dream of becoming “famous” one day. If I wasn’t into music I’d probably be acting. This was another passion of mine when I was younger as well – drama, plays, that sort of thing although not one I pursued beyond my early 20’s.
What do you like to do when you are not playing music and how does that influence your creativity?
I like to be in nature. I like forests, I like trees, I like quiet and challenging walks/hikes. It influences my creativity by giving me space to breathe and time for my mind to ruminate on things that end up needing creative expression – relationships, feelings, painful memories, other people’s stories…etc
How long have you been making music?
Singing and performing since elementary school. Started writing my own music in my early 20’s.
Where are you based and how did that influence your music?
I’m based out of Toronto and it has influenced my music by exposing me to so many different artists, styles, types of music – the indie music scene is strong in Toronto – lots of people to be inspired and influenced by.
Tell me about your most memorable shows, if you haven’t played live what is your vision for a live show?
I’ve been lucky to have played many great shows but I recently released an EP called Against the Fence and the EP release party was a few weeks ago and by far this was the best show I have ever played. The show sold out, the band was smokin’ and the room was filled with smiles and love. I have never had a better time in my life – it was truly a bucket list event.
What is your favorite venue to play at, and do you have any places you want to play that you have not already?
My favourite venue used to be a bar called Relish Bar & Grill – I played many many shows there unfortunately the bar/restaurant did not survive the pandemic and has since closed. I would love to play the Horseshoe Tavern – that would feel like another major achievement.
If you could play any show with any lineup, who would be on the ticket?
Kathleen Edwards, Serena Ryder and Sarah Harmer – dream come true.
What is some advice that you would give to someone who is just getting into making music and some advice that you would give to your younger self?
I would tell someone just getting into music or my younger self that there is an audience for everyone. You are not competing with anyone else and you don’t have to sound like anyone else to be considered good. You don’t have to win over the whole world. It’s not about that. It’s about finding your people, the people who your music resonates with, and writing, playing for them.
Of your songs which one means the most to you and why?
If I had the time I would rerecord this song because I recorded it a long time ago and don’t love the current version but the song I wrote that means the most to me is a song called Save the Day. It’s a song that was written after a mass shooting of high school kids in Florida and in the aftermath the teenagers galvanized and pulled together the now infamous March for Our Lives. The shooting was yet another tragic mass loss of life and the song touches on some other tragedies and is stark in some ways but its also about what I believe will ultimately “save the day” and in this case it’s that generation. GEN Z - I think they are and will do what their parents have failed at, namely fixing the horrific gun problem in the US.
Which songs are your favorite to play and which get requested the most?
I love playing Pretender which gets requested a lot and I also get requests for Small Town Ontario and Brother of Mine – both which are also super fun to play.
What is your creative process, and what inspires you to write your music?
My creative process changes – sometimes I have a melody and a few words come into my head and I build out on that and other times just the words and then at another time just a melody comes into my head and at some point I realize they fit together – sometimes months later. It’s a strange, spiritual thing that I believe comes from me and from some unknown place.
I get inspired by stories – mine and other peoples.
Do you have messages that you like to get across in your music, if so please tell me about them?
Not really, I don’t think I do consciously anyway. Certainly I have a couple of songs that are commentaries on things – ie Save the Day or even a song called Lady Liberty that was a song I wrote in response to Trump being elected. I have another song called Time Won’t Wait (for you woman) that is about making sure to check things off the list and not be afraid to “live” out your dreams and passions because “time won’t wait” but again – this was written in response to a friend that went through a life-threatening condition. It wasn’t meant to really be a message to anyone other than me!
What are your plans for the future, and do you have anything that you want to spotlight that is coming up?
My plans are to continue recording and releasing music as long as the songs keep coming. I have several songs ready for recording so intend on releasing new music later this year. In terms of other plans, I have a loose tentative plan to maybe do a mini tour in the UK/Scotland later this year.
How can your fans best keep up to date with you, any socials you want people to check out?
The best way to keep up to date is via facebook and instagram: