February, 2013

Publication title: Lufthansa Woman’s World, vol. -, Iss. -, pg. –
Place: Unknown
Writer: Manuele Imre

Vancouver: Sarah McLachlan

With songs like “Angel”, the Grammy Award winner charms the fans from all over the world. The Canadian singer shows her home and reveals where one can find the best hiking spots, shopping places and good restaurants.

At the age of 17, country girl Sarah from Halifax in East Canada had the opportunity to move to the metro pool Vancouver, where a record deal was waiting for her. For the time being, nothing came of it, as her parents were against it. Only two years later, with her high school finished, Sarah followed the direction of a musical career: to the West Coast, a location she fell in love with from the moment she landed there. More than two decades have passed now. She played concerts between Honolulu and Taipei, sold over more than 40 million albums, won three Grammy Awards and raised two children. Money, fame and success: at the beginning exciting but it loses quickly its meaning, she says. Instead of the red carpet, McLachlan rather spends time in the forest with her dog Ripley, exchanges information with music-loving teens or dances with her two daughters throughout the house. And, yes, a new album is coming soon.

In praise of nature
At 19, she signed a record contract; at 29 she won two Grammy Awards; at 41 she sold more than 40 million albums – Sarah McLachlan is now 45 and a mother of two. A visit to the singer in her natural home in Vancouver.

“When my daughters are kind enough, I may play something for them”

The piano is the central point of Sarah McLachlan’s home. At this place, she composes new music, and in the evening both daughters dance to music. From her tours the singer brought all kinds of exotic souvenirs from all over the world home: Buddha figures, candle holders and colourful bowls.

When he hears that the stop is the home of Sarah McLachlan in West-Vancouver, the Indian taxi driver is thrilled: “Oh, Sarah is an angel!” She does a lot for the children, he explains and lets the dark red Turban bounce up and down approvingly. McLachlan, waiting in the open kitchen of her bright house, is pleased with the compliment but is then quickly a bit embarrassed and sets first a strong Espresso. “It’s my drug” she apologizes. In fit sport pants and a t-shirt she wanders barefoot over the stone floor, her nut-brown hair falling softly on her shoulders. The singer has already completed an hour of yoga that day and is looking forward to other favourite activities: hiking and paddle boarding. “I simply love the outdoors.” She loves it so much, that even a stately tree is growing in the middle of the room. Rather than cutting it down, McLachlan let it surround by wood and glass. The 45-year old falls cross-legged on a chair by the window and closes her eyes by her first sip of coffee. She enjoys the sun, shining through the window glass onto the dark, long kitchen tables. And their twelve year old chocolate brown Labrador peeps around the corner to make sure the promised hike isn’t forgotten.

Spectacle of nature: The next bit of green is never really far in Vancouver. Together with her chocolate brown Labrador Ripley, Sarah McLachlan walks directly from her backyard into the woods. For the Grammy Award winner those are the quietest moments of the day, in which she can breathe and relax.

“Once the rascals come back from school, it’s done with the peace”

For McLachlan are the hours in the dense forest trails, close to the house, the quiet hours of the day – “They only belong to me”. Both daughters, from her marriage with drummer Ashwin Sood, come back in the afternoon from school and there’ll be no more silence. India, 11, and Taja, 5, inherited their energy, sighs McLachlan, which often leads to spontaneous dance parties in the evening. “The girls make music and jump widely throughout the house. If they are particularly in a generous mood, they want me to also play something on the piano, and they’ll dance.” The house, painted in warm earth tones, is a cosy mix of different countries and cultures through art, music and nature. From her concerts from all over the world the singer brought home many Buddha statues, carpets and a considerable collection of tea cups. Many of her pillows are self-made from fine Indian fabrics. Currently she has no time for those hobbies anymore, because the singer is working on a new album, to be released at the end of the year.

On this graciously sunny Monday, McLachlan takes time for the city and all the small beauties which Vancouver daily spreads like a colourful fan: Stanley Park, the green Seawall, Granville Island. The residents take joyfully advantage of all that is to offer, and are kayaking, sailing or cycling and skating on the promenades. Even the short drive to Ambleside Park hints to as why McLachlan, as a 19-year-old immediately fell in love with the western Canadian metropolis. Waves of light fall on the gravel beach, and in the background the Lions Gate Bridge stretches over the bay. There is not a trace of all the city hustle, even though the noisy downtown is just 15 minutes away. Two dogs rave playfully in the water, while their elderly owners have only eyes now for the pretty woman in a wetsuit, who just pushed her paddle board into the water. “We’ll pull you out in case you fall”, it sounds rather challenging from the park bench. But as McLachlan slides with confident moves over the water surface, there is an admiring praise: “The girl is gooooood”. “The people are so nice here”, McLachlan says glowingly, as she packs her board into the car and rides towards the skyline of Vancouver. Behind the skyscrapers, the white, majestic mountains are set against the sky.

Besides surfing, paddle boarding is one of Sarah McLachlan’s favourite activities in the water. In the bay of Ambleside Park she slides over the glistening surface opposite of the Lions Gate Bridge. In a wetsuit from Rip Curl Vancouver the brisk temperatures are quite bearable.

Her early years as a young, unknown musician were hard, the singer recalls. The city and its people gave her always the strength though, to carry on. Today, after numerous albums, sold-out concerts and hits like “Angel” or “Ordinary Miracle”, McLachlan is a star – but with two feet on the ground. When she wanders comfortably on the hip shopping district of Granville Street, two women with prams and shopping bags call out “Hey, Sarah”, but that is pretty much it. For that, McLachlan loves Vancouver even more. For her it’s always about the music, the whole hype around a person is uncomfortable feeling: “I’m too Canadian”.

Her tendency towards a more casual glamour also shows in her two favourite boutiques Boboli and Bacci’s. Both boutiques are practically just a few feet away from each other. Saleswoman Tina sighs “You look amazing”, and asks about India, Taja and Ripley, and brings out a small leather jacket from Dries Van Noten. McLachlan’s brown eyes are first a bit narrow, but then quickly turn big when she views herself in the mirror and she whispers “I love it”. As much as she loves evening dresses, the cool style is a lot more comfortable on stage. Essentials at every gig are the embroidered leather bracelets by Maria Rudman, something Tina also seem to know, as she mentions the new collection with a little smile. “Next time,” McLachlan says and points meaningful to her stomach. “He’s empty, so it’s first lunch time”.

McLachlan’s favourite boutiques Boboli and Bacci’s are only located a few minutes away from each other on the Granville Street. Behind the Boboli pillar entrance hides a design heaven with clothing from Thierry Mugler, Valentino and Missoni. But she feels most comfortable in a casual rocker outfit, one which she tries out immediately.

The 45-year-old loves to wander through the small stores on the Granville Street but is also content with just window shopping. Groovy designer shoes are presented on wooden boxes at Bacci’s, and fine tunics hang on clothing racks, which look like they were recycled.

On the way to eat at Hawksworth, the famous restaurant in the hotel Georgia downtown, she is already going through the menu which she knows by heart. “Rather the scallops or maybe the veal carpaccio? Most of all, I like the tuna with sautéed Brussels sprouts, but that’s on the dinner menu.”, McLachlan says inspiringly. Legendary chef David Hawksworth comes from the kitchen, excited, and exchanges kisses, hugs and complains that the singer hasn’t been around for a while. “As a punishment, there is tuna,” he says, laughing mischievously and pushes the hungry guest from the artworks of Damien Hirst and Rodney Graham towards a place by the window. The tourists outside pass by with their bags and cameras, while inside a welcome cocktail is mixed, the “Hotel Georgia”.

The singer and celebrity chef David Hawksworth have known each other for a few years. His restaurant opened in 2011 and is located in hotel Georgia, and quickly became one of the important restaurants in the city.

“Another sip, and I’ll agree with the wrong notes of the kids”, the celebrity warns after a mouthful of the gin and lime juice mix. A visit to their school is the next step on this day’s program. The Sarah McLachlan School Of Music is the heartproject of the 45-year old. Founded eleven years ago, the project found in 2011 its home in a glazed building in the East. Kaelyn, Lauren, Napassorn and Jolan all go together through the notes. The teens are very excited and want to show off their newly-learned guitar chords. “I am so proud of my boys and girls”, the musician raves.

She grew up in Halifax on the east coast of Canada, but in Vancouver she received her first record deal, sang in small bars and then in larger venues. “I especially love the concerts at the Orpheum”, she confesses – the pretty, Twenties architecture Smithe street is one of the places Sarah also likes to visit. “I look forward to my next gigs, when the album is finally finished” she sighs, “I really have to buckle down more”. But Vancouver doesn’t make it easy for her. “It’s so beautiful here that even I sometimes forget the music.”

The skyscrapers of the financial district are reflected in the water, which flows throughout Downtown. The idyllic location at sea impressed Sarah McLachlan at her first visit to the city. In the picture on the right, she stands before the concerthall Orpheum, a building with architecture from the twenties, at which she performed frequently.

INTERVIEW

“Almost like the magical land of Oz”
The city has captured Sarah from her first visit on. Since she came as a teenager all alone to the West Coast to start her career, the musician feels at home in the port city at the Pacific Ocean. She loves the water, the mountains – and even the weather.

You spent the first 19 years of your life in Halifax, on the east coast of Canada. Then you signed a record deal in the west, in Vancouver, and you’ve stayed. What motivated you?
> The friendliness of the people, the nature, the beautiful location. I remember the first view of the city I had from the plane: the water behind the mountaintops which were covered with snow, it looked like the magical land of Oz to me. Even after 25 years this moment still moves me. Whenever I come home from a tour, it gives me a warm feeling.

You were back then extremely young. Was it a difficult step to move all alone to the other side of the country?
> It was really exciting. Back then I did not know Vancouver at all, it was a strange and distant world to me. Halifax was this modest small town, a great place for growing up sheltered. I was a real country girl. My parents got a real shock when I got this first offer for a record deal which also meant my euphoric leaving at 17. They would not let me go and insisted that I finished high school first. Fortunately I attended also a year college before I accepted the record deal. I was still very naïve, but I had a much clearer idea of my music in mind.

Your career went uphill since then. The song “One Dream” was the official anthem of the 2010 Winter Olympics – was that a big moment for you?
> I almost burst with pride! I love Canada, and it was a huge honour to sing the song for the games. Canadians never really display their national pride, but with this sporting event, in which the world participates and join the excitement, it has something incredibly emotional. Vancouver and its people shone like never before. And I found myself in love again with my home.

Though, the weather is not always perfect, but rather unpredictable..
> Oh, we are tough. As soon as the sun breaks through, everyone opens their doors. The tables are set outside and we eat outside. Though my daughters are always whining, but that’s something they’ll have to go through. Sure, I would not mind if it was generally a few degrees warmer, but you get used to it. We just pretend to. From 15 degrees on, we all wear t-shirts and shorts.

The mountains are within reach. Do you ski?
Rarely. I also have a fear of getting injured, and it’s time consuming. As a single mother of a five- and eleven- year old with only a few free hours a day, I spend those rather selfish.

And how do you spend those hours?
> Mostly in the fresh air. I am in the nature as often as possible, which is never far away in Vancouver. Right outside my front door there are several hiking trials. The most beautiful trail is eight kilometers long and passes a forest and a small creek. When I walk there with our dog Ripley, I feel fresh and inspired. I also love everything that has to do with water. Time on the paddleboard is a get away for me. And I surf as often as possible.

When did you start surfing?
> With 30. Actually I started with everything in my thirties: yoga, surfing and regular workouts. When I left my twenties, I suddenly became more concerned about my figure.

Which you don’t have to do….
> Oh you have no idea! I always eat like a horse. I love food, but it catches up on you eventually. Especially when you have a weakness for sugar and butter. There is just nothing like a homemade mascarpone Béchamel-lasagne. And then there’s my coffee addiction. But hey, I do not use drugs, rarely drink alcohol and exercise a lot. So I can permit myself those sins.

In addition, you have a really beautiful open kitchen. Do you often cook?
> Not as much as I would like. Two weeks ago, I made braised lamb shanks, which were very tasty. I cook more in the summer when I actually get visitors: friends, family, it’s like a central station. It starts in the morning with yoga, that is the real happening. All of my friends live luckily very close. One of my closest friends even lives now 3 years in my house.

How did that happen?
> She went through a tough divorce. I invited her and she has been living here, which is fantastic. I really appreciate the companionship of my friends, they are my family.

You also separated in 2008, after a marriage of eleven years with the father of your children, the musician Ashwin Sood. Were those also times in which you appreciated your friends?
> Absolutely! They were always there for me. Breakups are never pretty and hurt you, but you learn a lot about yourself and your surroundings. I always try to find something positive in everything. One can take such phases as a chance to center themselves anew, separate the important from the unimportant and find themselves again.

Also to write new songs?
> Songwriting is the best therapy for me. The emotional storms in my head flow directly into songs. Miraculously, others feel also affected. I am happy if my music helps, whether it is for a difficult life situation or if it just simply lifts the mood.

You really like to help out. The concert tour “Lilith Fair” was a campaign for the equality of women in the music industry, and you also support animal welfare organizations and founded eleven years ago a foundation for children, the Sarah McLachlan School Of Music. Why are you so eager to do good?
> The school is, so to speak, my third child. There are currently 420 children in the program which would otherwise have no other way to get instruments or lessons. It has a lot to do with my gratitude. I was lucky enough my parents could afford private music lessons. Also, back then there were more possibilities in the public school system. For me, everything was possible but now it’s completely different. The funds for music lessons have been cut dramatically.

For nine years, the foundation was paid by your own private money…
> Wealth was never the drive for my music. At 17, I thought being famous was exciting, I admit. But it became quickly boring. The music was always the center, which it has been up until today. Eventually I earned with my great passion all this money. And honestly, I do not need so much money. My goal is still to do everyday that what makes me happy, statifies me and is also good for others.

And the people love you for it. With whomever you talk to here: everyone knows, praises and worships you. Do people constantly approach you when you are outside?
> Hardly ever. That’s the nice thing about Canada. People know I live here, but they don’t make a big circus about it. I go quite normal to the supermarket, and yes, the girl selling vegetables addresses me with my name. However, not because I am Sarah McLachlan, but because I regularly buy my vegetables there.

“At 30, I started with sports because I suddenly became more worried about my figure”