Photo Credit: Jen Squires

Not everyone sticks with their first love in life, but ever since she started making up songs here and there as a kid – Abigail Lapell was hooked, “I eventually started teaching myself guitar and piano for accompaniment, but singing was and remains my greatest love for sure.” Her greatest love has led her to 2024’s, ‘Anniversary,’ out everywhere on May 10th. We talked about not only the music, but also superstitions, accolades, and her upcoming East Coast tour! All of that and more awaits…

Kendra: Folk feels like a genre that is very universal in regards to how it comes across, but what would you say separates Canadian folk from say, folk being made in the US? 

Abigail Lapell: That’s such an interesting question and probably one for a more qualified musicologist. I find there’s a lot of cross-border overlap in traditional folk, with both countries being such a melting pot or mosaic of global influences and traditions. 

Personally, I associate “Canadian folk music” with some of the country’s iconic singer-songwriters – Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, and Leonard Cohen. As a sidebar, I’ve always been intrigued by the theory that the cold climate here contributes to strong local music scenes, where people are forced to stay indoors all winter honing their craft and collaborating. Having endured winters in Montreal for many years, I think there’s probably some truth to that idea.

Kendra: Speaking of, you’ll be dropping another great folk album, ‘Anniversary,’ on May 10th. Being that you’ve had great success in the past with previous releases, garnering awards and such – did you push all of the previous accolades out of your head when it came time to write and record this new album, or do you use the past highlights to push you forward? 

Abigail Lapell: I’m not sure it’s such a big part of the writing/recording process for me personally, but I do feel really inspired and honoured to see my songs resonate with people or connect with a larger music community. To me, the new album feels like it’s building on past work while, in some ways, also a bit of a departure. 

The album was co-produced with Tony Dekker from the band Great Lake Swimmers, who provided so much support and inspiration – including the idea of recording in a 200-year-old church. It was my first time teaming up with an artist as a producer and recording outside of a traditional recording studio. So ultimately I do hope that comes across in the recording in an interesting way and hopefully resonates with people.

Kendra: “Rattlesnake” is such an enchanting song. It has a way of wrapping itself around listeners, much like a snake – but not in a dangerous way! It’s also a song full of lines that call back to various superstitions. I’d have to assume you’re someone who is a little Stevie Wonder, superstitious. Do you have anything you swear by? 

Abigail Lapell: Ha. I’m really not superstitious at all myself, and not sure I’d necessarily put this in that category – but especially being on the road a lot, I have TONS of little rituals and systems to try to stay organized and not lose or forget things. I’m always setting alarms and consulting an elaborate series of checklists or packing gear. I also do find certain items, like a specific capo (or travel pillow, or water bottle) can take on an outsized significance that borders on the talismanic.

Kendra: Now, not too long after ‘Anniversary’ drops you’ll be hitting the road for a string of East Coast dates in the US. What can people expect from an Abigail Lapell show? 

Abigail Lapell: People can expect intimate, passionate performances on vocals, harmonica, and finger-style electric guitar – plus banter and stories from the road. Maybe even some light audience participation. The live show includes a lot of humour and warmth. I’m teaming up with some great collaborators for Spring dates, too, including violin and harmony vocals on the Northeast and Midwest tours. 

Kendra: Time for a side note – With it being May, there are a lot of graduations happening across the country right now, and I’d love for you to share a song with the collective class of 2024. So what song would you dedicate to them? Can be one of yours, or another artist’s. 

Abigail Lapell: “Anniversary Song” (the lead single and sort-of title track from my new record) is all about milestones and marking the passage of time – looking backward as well as forwards. Even though it’s a love song I think it’s a nice one to send out (with love!) to all the new grads. Congrats, grads!

Kendra: Lastly, with ‘Anniversary’ out on May 10th and some dates already on the books, what else can the people expect as we start to roll into summer? 

Abigail Lapell: Some great festivals are coming up this summer with my band, and I’m excited to keep sharing these songs on the road. I’ll be signing vinyl and CDs and cooking up some other merch ideas in the coming months as well.