Every now and again, an artist comes along with a sound and approach to the music that is pure in its
intention and both elegant and accessible in its result. Erin Propp is one of those artists. The JUNO-nominated and WCMA-winning artist is an exquisite vocalist and thoughtful composer who’s been a mainstay on the Manitoba music scene and is creating excitement across the country. On Sunday,
August 22, she graced one of the stages at the Markham Jazz Festival and she joined me on the line
last week.
InterviewsMusic News
Exclusive: Erin Propp steps out on her own with debut album as bandleader
Erin Propp
A lot of people know you from your work with Larry Roy, but lately, you’ve been concentrating on solo shows with you at the piano. How did that shift in focus come about?
Yes, that was a big growth moment for me. About seven years ago, I thought, ‘I need to do something to challenge myself.’ I used to accompany myself when I was a kid, then a teenager and early twenties. Then I put that instrument aside to focus on the voice instrument and I was challenged by a teacher in 2019 who asked me if I had done anything on my own which I hadn’t in over 15 years. So she said ‘You need to get back to the piano or any instrument and have a piece of this career that is your own.’ So because I am a good student so I did what my teacher told me to do and that’s what I’ve been trying. I still work collaboratively and probably always will, I live in Winnipeg and we have a great community here and you want to work with people as much as you can. But having this piece of my own feels like a huge boom to creativity and also scary experiences too. I’m 42 now and since 36, 37, I’ve been trying so many things for the first time.
What is it doing for you as an artist?
I would say it’s been amazing, I’ve loved it creatively, finding my own voice and being able to be exactly what and who I want to be. I don’t know how to say it without being cliche but it has been excellent for me as an artist. Being on my own for this project has opened a lot of doors that didn’t exist before. I’ve met people who I didn’t meet before. Somehow it’s a different shape that fits into other shapes. There have been different connections and my world has become bigger because of it and I love it.
Erin Propp will be releasing her debut album as bandleader on October 2. The album features Joey Landreth (of the Bros. Landreth), Fabio Ragnelli (drums), Julian Bradford (bass) and GRAMMY award-winning Attacca Quartet. Her next single off the project, “Laurel Canyon” comes out on August 28. Take a listen to the singles, “Alert to Glory” and “Witness.”
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.