Joanna Drummond Releases New Album 'Songs for Mother's Day', 4/18

Calgary musician and singer-songwriter Joanna Drummond will release her sophomore album on April 18, 2015 at a lively and family-friendly launch party in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. 'Songs for Mother's Day' was created as a gift for mothers. It is a collection of 11 songs written by Drummond about the lived experience of being a mother. "The songs on this album are inspired by the intimacies and struggles that women sometimes share with each other, and sometimes face alone. They are drawn from the playground chat, the daily pressures, the quiet desires and the purest of joys," says Drummond. According to a recent review from FolkWords, "The unique magic of motherhood is something known only to women who have experienced the enchantment. This softly delivered, beautifully constructed acoustic folk album opens the door a small [sliver] to admit to anyone that cares to listen."

A true celebration of motherhood, 'Songs for Mother's Day' features the vocal collaboration of five local Calgary artists who are all mothers themselves, including Ruth Purves Smith, Amy Bishop, Clea Roddick, Natasha Platt (of Magnolia Buckskin) and Christie Simmons.

Born and raised in Calgary, Drummond has a B.A. in music from the University of Calgary and grew up immersed in classical music, at the piano, in competitive choirs, and later in operatic training. Her singing has the physicality, range, and discipline of this classical background, but she chose to leave opera behind and turn her instrument towards folk music after a weekend at the Calgary Folk Festival. She is drawn to folk music because of its intimacy and simplicity. Joanna's debut album, 'Workshop', released in 2014, was written about the process of becoming, the idea that we are all unfinished projects. 'Workshop' has enjoyed a successful first year, with songs being played on CFBX, CJSW and CBC, and receiving multiple positive reviews from the folk music community.

With 'Songs for Mother's Day', Joanna has found the roots sound where she belongs. Growing from her classically trained musical beginnings, her love of folk music has set her on the path to becoming one of Canada's finest folk musicians.

'Songs for Mother's Day' was recorded at The Station Recording Co. in Calgary and produced by Craig Newnes.

CD release:
Saturday April 18, 2015
2 to 4 pm
National Music Centre, 134 11 Avenue SE
Calgary, Alberta, Canada