June, 1991

Publication title: Flare, vol. -, Iss. -, pg. –
Place: Unknown
Writer: Constance Droganes

Singing It Her Way

“I’ve come a long way from playing the ukulele at my mom’s tea parties,” laughs 23-year-old singer/songwriter Sarah McLachlan. This month, McLachlan releases her second album, Solace, a moody, heavily guitar-oriented collection of tunes she and producer Pierre Marchand recorded earlier this year in New Orleans. It’s ironic that McLachlan, with her ethereal, new age-like yet powerful voice and her Vancouver-based recording label, Nettwerk Productions, are gearing up for pop stardom. Until this nouveau mainstream diva was 16, aspirations of becoming a classical musician were what drove her through six years of piano, 12 years of guitar lessons, and five years of voice training. Then, she stumbled upon the lyrically-inspiring music of eclectic pop crooners Peter Gabriel and Kate Bush. She was transformed for good.

I used to think most pop music was just a lot of crap. In fact, even though I know there are many fine musicians out there producing good work, on the whole most of what I hear even now is a lot of garbage,” says this former Haligonian who, much to her parents chagrin, threw aside the desire to conquer the classical stage to busk on city streets and front a local dance band called October Game. Further horrified still, her parents put their foot down when, after hearing her sing, Nettwerk wanted the then 17-year-old chanteuse to perform with one of its bands (Moev). “My family just felt I was too young to get into this business, let alone move to Vancouver,” admits McLachlan. Fortunately, Nettwerk called again in 1988 – after she had finished high school and one year of art college – this time with a solo contract. McLachlan grabbed the offer and never looked back.

Her 1989 debut album, Touch, had critics exuding comparisons with artists Sinead O’Connor, Jane Siberry, and Kate Bush. “That’s all very flattering, but I sing my own way,” says McLachlan, who plans to judge the success of Solace by the unexpected emotional response she’s certain it will provoke. “I was pretty happy when I started this project. It was lucky for me that my friends’ lives were all messed up so I could draw on them for the lyrics,” laughs McLachlan. “You might laugh after you hear these songs. You might be pissed off. But you’ll feel something.” While touring is the part of her career that McLachlan loves most, she occasionally feels overwhelmed by the droves of fans on and off the road. “It really bothers me at times. I just don’t know how to deal with the attention. I appreciate it, but I often feel like yelling, ‘Stop it already. I’m not on display.’ ”

McLachlan’s only other regret to date? “Leaving my cats at home when I tour. I’m a mess without them.”