Edwards reflects on playing with The Stones kathleen edwards called her first album failer because that word, which she used in one of her songs, summed up how she felt while writing them. edwards, now 25, moved to rural quebec after a breakup to write a series of tough-minded tales: one from the perspective of a pregnant woman whose suicidal boyfriend is shot by police, another from a cynical girl who swipes her older, married lover's gold watch. her music is a literate form of alt-country with a surprising kick. edwards grew up as a fan of ani difranco and became enamored of ryan adam's old band, whiskeytown, when she started making music, and both influences are evident on her debut. far from a failer, the album has received some of the year's more rapturous reviews. edwards is even someone jay leno and david letterman agreed on: both had her on their shows, and both raved about her music. during a break in her near-constant touring, edwards called from her toronto home answer some questions. the interview took place before her july 30 performance with the rolling stones and ac/dc in toronto. 1. is it intimidating to be playing on a concert bill with the rolling stones and ac/dc? edwards: no, it happens to me every day! the fact of the matter is that gig is 14 or 15 acts. justin timberlake is on it. ac/dc, the stones, the guess who, rush - it's a big soup-to-nuts thing going on. and i'm probably playing at 9 in the morning to kick it off. i'm going to be hanging out all day just to get my photo with (ac/dc guitarist) angus young. 2. a lot of listeners hear echoes of fellow canadian neil young in your music. is that a compliment? edwards: oh, absolutely. i read a review of my record and someone said, 'she sounds like lucinda williams fronting crazy horse.' i thought, 'wow, i never really thought that neil young was a big influence, but i guess in some way he's a subconscious one.' it's a huge compliment. not only is he a great musician and artist, but i have a lot of respect for the way he leads his life and takes a stand on things that are personally important to him. 3. the narrator in a couple of your songs is high, one of your lyrics says, "nobody likes a girl who won't sober up," and rounder records sent out bourbon with the press kits for your album. can you live up to that hard-living reputation? edwards: i'm a good canadian drinker. but when i'm on the road, with the schedule i've been going on, it's just not possible to be hung over for a day. i finish the show and i just want to go to bed. i have a few drinks on the road, but i save that stuff for when i'm home having fun with friends. 4. what one thing about you as a person would people be surprised to know if all they know about you is from these 10 songs? edwards: most people would be surprised that i'm a little bit more outgoing than my songs would allow. i'm a pretty sociable person. some people think i'm dark and brooding. i am when i write songs. most of the time i'm happier than the songs would allow, but i definitely write the songs when i'm in a dark place. i think a lot of people write that way and i'm one of them. i'm a terrible communicator when things are bothering me, and i have a hard time saying what i need to say to people i need to say it to. i seem to find the right words when the moment's passed and i'm still fuming about it. 5. if you had one night to listen to music, would you go to the grand ole opry, the bowery ballroom rock club or a folk coffeehouse? edwards: i'd probably watch a show in wakefield, quebec, which is where i just moved from. there's this great club called the black sheep inn. people think it's a hole in the wall when they load their gear in the afternoon. the building faces this lake and a train track. it's the best place to play a gig and a great place to see a gig. it's awesome. it's where i first started to play. if you go to canada, you have to see this club. canadian press ctv.ca				Album reviews Feature articles Interviews Show reviews