It has not been an easy road to the top of the country music charts for Margo Price, who plays the Toronto Urban Roots Festival on Friday, Sept. 16. She's suffered loss, she's been to jail, her family even lost the farm, and she sings about it in her stellar new album Midwest Farmer's Daughter. If that isn't real country music, I don't want to know what is. Price is just one of many incredible artists from outside Canada that have made their way to town for this weekend's festivities. Herewith, Post City chats with Price followed by a look at four under-the-radar shows worth checking out at TURF, running Sept. 16-18 at Fort York Garrison Common.
You are the first solo female artist to debut at the top of the country album chart — congrats. It’s been a while coming for you, now that you’re here, how does it feel?
That was a surprise, a real surprise. Now it’s a full-time job and I’m out on the road constantly. But, it’s been great. I could not be more happy to be able to food on the table and just out there and do what I love every day. It’s a real blessing.
Apparently you pawned your wedding ring to pay for the recording of this album?
Ya, we were just having a real hard time trying saving the money we were going to need. And I didn’t want to do crowd funding, not that I was against it but we did it in the past and I just couldn’t fathom doing that again. So, we just decided we were going to sell anything we had that had any worth because the greater good was more important just to get the songs out. One day my husband came in and said he was going to sell the car, and he was like, ‘I think you should sell your ring too, you don’t need it.’ At first I was against it, but then I realized nothing lasts like the record would, and we just went for it, put all the chips in.
You identify more with the outlaws of country, the men like Waylon Jennings. What do you find appealing and influential about this group?
I just like things with a little more edge in them. That’s kind of why I started seeing myself away from country back in my early ‘20s. It was so polished and felt over-produced. I didn’t connect with it at all.
Who were your influences early on?
I had kind of a wide range of stuff. My dad always listened the classic rock stations. I had a lot of love for the Beatles and CCR and stuff like that. And then my grandmother, her brother was a writer and he wrote for George Jones and those kind of folks from Nashville in the ’70s. So that was there too. And, of course, I listened to whatever was on the radio too. The first things I remember hearing was the Statler Brothers “Flowers on the Wall." I loved that song. My mother didn’t like it, she always changed the channel. And watching “Captain Kangaroo.” And I remember listening to Tom Petty a lot. In the summer, that would be the music that stood out for me.
Were you in bands during high school?
I was in choir as well. I did jazz choir and show choir and I sang in church, I’d sing the national anthem at football and basketball games. When I was 12 or 13 years old, my mom started driving me literally an hour to voice lessons from a woman named Sue Clark who lived in Iowa. She taught me how to sing mezzo-soprano, really classical. And I’ve always been able to utilize that when it came to breathing techniques and things.
Tell me about your first gigs.
Well, I was writing folk songs a little more when I was in maybe sixth or seventh grade, around the time I got my own guitar. Prior to that, I was on the piano, and took lessons for maybe seven or eight years. I started writing my own songs in junior high while slowly learning how to play guitar. I’m not sure about my first gig, probably in college. Before that it was more just around the campfire or the party when I was hanging out with my friends. It was probably around 18 when I was going to school outside of Chicago and there were some coffeehouses and open mics, and that’s when I first started going out and playing my guitar.
Did you always think music was what you wanted to do?
I’d always hoped music would work out. I did a slew of odd jobs, physical labour, painting. But I’d always worked with children. My first job when I was growing up was as a lifeguard and teaching swimming lessons and I also taught dance lessons and stuff. I always loved working with kids, it brings real fulfillment to my life.
You sing about your own issues, your own past and tough times you went through personally. Does that also help you?
Ya, I definitely have used my writing as a form of therapy. I mean, I still with a bit of depression here and there and try to look at the positives and be happy with where I’m at. But, I think there are certain things that are just going to stick with you your whole life and you have good days and bad days, but I just try to keep busy and that helps my mind from going down.
Tell me about signing with Third Man Records. We all know Jack White the musician. What’s he like as a record company big wig?
He’s great. He was very open to me carrying out my artistic vision. He was very supportive and encouraging, and I’ve looked up to him for a long time. Just having his support meant a lot.
And you’re playing Toronto this weekend — have you spend much time touring up here?
This will be my third time in Canada I’ve been to Edmonton and Winnipeg and I had an amazing time at both of those shows. So, I’m looking forward to coming back.
Margo Price plays at 2:40 pm on Sept. 16 at the west stage.
Under-the-radar shows worth checking out at TURF
The Deslondes, Saturday at 4 p.m., rebellion stage
Julie Jacklin, Sunday at 4:30 p.m., rebellion stage
The Felice Brothers, Saturday at 8 p.m., rebellion stage
Marlon Williams, Sunday at 2:10 p.m., west stage
