INTRODUCING...
"An immersion in blues,
as well as an upbringing in
Toronto's rock scene
and the music and culture of
her birthplace, the former Yugoslavia,
created a bicultural artist."
Last year I had the privilege
to connect with another
to connect with another
independent Canadian artist with Balkan roots,
REENIE is currently in British Columbia,
where she finished her Bachelor of Music
at the University of Victoria
and completed her first solo album
with NY-based producer, Charlie Van Kirk.
On March 29th, REENIE will release her debut album
THE REAL WORLD
and host a special CD release
and visual art exhibition
at the Victoria Event Centre
that will feature a performance by Chris Ho
and contributions from
the Canadian Federation of Artists
and Island Illustrators.
Shortly thereafter, REENIE will relocate to Toronto
where she will reside for a number of years.
a few questions regarding her upcoming album
and future plans in the city.
RT - Could you please tell me more about your background and upbringing?
IP - I was born in Sarajevo, BIH. My family left in 1992
when the civil war was just beginning.
I was only 5, so I remember the people I was surrounded by
more clearly than the physical surroundings...
I was raised in Toronto, and later Kitchener-Waterloo,
where I started a punk/rock influenced band in high school.
We signed up with a company called Supernova
that made us sell lots of tickets for them in order to play.
Looking back, it was kind of a pay-to-play situation,
but it was really exciting cause we got to play in these really awesome
Toronto venues (like the Opera House and The Docks)
and we met other great bands… it was an inspiring time.
Luckily enough, I was able to see my extended family
and Serbian family friends quite often, as they all lived in Toronto,
so even though I had grown up very much Canadian,
I felt that my roots were still present, and still feel bi-cultural.
What were some of your experiences there?
IP - University. I went into a classical music program on percussion
and soon took an interest in composing modern “classical” music.
It started out super fun, but halfway through I felt pressure
to make everything complicated and lost touch with the soul of music.
At the beginning, my extra-curricular music mellowed out,
I began listening to more blues, jazz, and folk,
and started a funk/pop band called The Vista.
We gigged around town and in Vancouver,
played a bunch of festivals including Victoria’s Jazz Fest.
The band fell apart after a couple of years, and with all the academic pressure,
I was less inspired to write music outside of school.
I did get some wonderful opportunities to have my work read
by professional ensembles, such as the Victoria Symphony…
it was really cool to hear my piece come to life.
RT - I'd like to know about the making of
THE REAL WORLD.
How long was this project in the works
and what was it like recruiting
the collaborating musicians involved?
IP - The Real World happened just as I was finishing university (laughs).
It was just after I had gone through a long period of writer’s block,
I was coming to terms with where I really wanted to be and
thinking a lot about real world experiences versus institutionalized education,
thinking a lot about real world experiences versus institutionalized education,
and all these songs came pouring out.
I was just going to record the first two in August 2011,
just to have a demo of where I was at, and then all these other songs happened.
I wasn’t thinking of “the real world” concept with the album at the time,
but after realized how autobiographical
and how in touch with human emotion and experience all the songs were,
I decided on that title.
The collaborating musicians were all friends,
or friends of friends I had met along the way.
Amazing performers, improvisers, composers.
RT - Was it difficult as n independent artist to make this album on your own?
What would you say were the most crucial components to see its release
and what tools were you working with
that allowed you to come this far, independently?
IP - Yes and no.
It didn’t really feel that I was on my own in this project,
since there were so many other musicians involved;
some of the best parts of the album happened by accident in rehearsals.
I’ve been in so many bands where it felt more like jamming than rehearsing;
we never really explored the meaning behind the songs
and never tried to execute it through the arrangements.
I feel that this album is the first where I’ve been in control
and could focus more on the soul of each song.
The most difficult part was definitely the financial side of things.
I got some help from family and friends
through the IndieGoGo fundraising campaign.
Other than that it’s been coming from my pockets
and borrowing from lovely people.
RT - You'll be relocating back to Toronto immediately after the release of the album;
what can we expect from REENIE this year?
IP - Yes, I’m very excited for the move.
Looking forward to a change of pace and LOTS of performing.
A couple of music videos are in the making,
and my Toronto debut will be on
June 1st at the Trane Studio!
taken from the upcoming release
"THE REAL WORLD"
available March 29, 2012
photographs by Ryan Wyllie
