Catherine MacLellan Balances Motherhood and Performing

Prince Edward Island songbird Catherine MacLellan muses about music, motherhood and matrimony on her latest collection, Church Bell Blues. She recently relocated to Halifax just in time to soak up female solo artist and folk album of the year nominations for the East Coast Music Awards, where she'll perform with David Myles, Jill Barber and Rose Cousins. Her dual addresses have aided her career.

"Living on an island can be a little insular at times," says MacLellan over afternoon tea at Halifax's Coburg Coffeehouse. "P.E.I. has a great artistic community and has really helped me get where I am now. I will always call it home.

"Halifax has always had a really interesting, creative scene. Perhaps it has to do with the multitude of students, being a port city or just being the largest centre in the Maritimes. Everyone in Atlantic Canada seems to end up here at some point."

MacLellan softly speaks of the naivete of young love, motherhood, literature and tradition. At the peak of her twenties, she possesses a wisdom beyond her years. And her chestnut hair, chiseled features and slender Victorian-like poise counterbalance the folksy, down-home spirit of her musicianship.

"It is a tough thing to balance, motherhood and music, because they both demand so much attention," says MacLellan. "Also, I want to be really good at both, and not neglect either, so I've put some pressure on myself in that way.

"But really, [daughter] Isabel has been the best thing that has ever happened to me. She has given me a sense of focus, a drive to make this work. There was a moment when I was pregnant where I said to myself, 'It's now or never.' And since then, I've really been getting the ball rolling."

Church Bell Blues references a relatively transitional phase of MacLellan's life, as her brief marriage to songwriter Al Tuck and the arrival of their daughter urged her to put her pen to the page. MacLellan's alliance to motherhood and music stems from her father, who not only fostered a love for the craft of songwriting, but understood the precedence of family. Gene MacLellan, an internationally recognized troubadour, passed away in 1995. He carved his musical legacy over the course of his career by having such songs as "Snowbird" and "Put Your Hand In The Hand" recorded by Anne Murray, Elvis Presley, Bing Crosby and Joan Baez.

"I think my dad really showed me that you can do whatever you dream of doing," insists MacLellan. "It didn't seem like I was taking a huge risk by being a musician full-time.

"It is a little bit like a carpenter passing his trade down to the next generation. Dad was always writing when he was home, always with a pen to paper, or a guitar in his lap."

In addition to MacLellan's televised performance on the ECMA show, she and literary best friend Tanya Davis are packing their bags, guitars and pens and hitting the road in March. You can catch MacLellan here:
Feb. 9 Halifax, NS @ In The Dead Of Winter Festival
Feb. 16 Halifax, NS @ ECMA Main Stage Showcase
Feb. 18 Halifax, NS @ ECMA Gala Awards Broadcast
March 1 Saint John, NB @ Elwood's
March 3 Montreal, QC @ Shaika Cafe
March 5 Toronto, ON @ Now Lounge
March 6 London, ON @ TBA
March 7 Toronto, ON @ The Cameron House
June 15 Muniac, NB @ Down East Picnic