ON THE ROAD WITH SERENA RYDER

posted in: Artist Features • Features • Rock

serena1

It’s quite the feather in your cap when the Boss asks you to cover one of his songs and then features your performance on his Website. But Serena Ryder is no stranger to accolades. Already a Juno-winning, Gold-certified sensation in Canada, the soulful singer-songwriter has made waves here in the U.S. with her major label debut, is it o.k. We caught up with her on tour, and threw her the same questions we recently asked Chad Wolf. Here’s how she responded:

Best show so far?
Washington D.C., 9:30 Club ¦ perfect day, perfect food, perfect venue, amazing crew, magic audience”couldn’t think to change a thing.

One thing you have to have on the road?
I need to have Nag Champa ¦ it helps me bring an element of home to my surroundings and it smells damn good.

If you’re playing DJ on the bus, what do you put on?
Midlake, Springsteen, Bat For Lashes, Metric, Great Lake Swimmers, Alexi Murdoch, Tegan and Sara, Tom Petty, XTC.

Moment you look forward to the most at each show?
Every show is different. When the show sucks, I can’t wait ’til it’s over and when it rocks, I want to stay forever. I don’t know that I’ve ever looked forward to how my belly feels before I get onstage. I still get butterflies ¦ I prefer butterflies on the outside of me.

Current favorite song to play live?
Depending on whether I’m solo or not, right now I’m digging on “What I Wanna Know.” It helps me connect with sexuality and anger.

Favorite way to kill time on the road?
When we’re stationary I LOVE going to antique stores, second-hand shops. I love walking around and falling into the old stories that live inside the knick-knacks. I was in Northern Ontario a few months ago and I almost missed my sound check because I spent two hours in an antique shop daydreaming. I bought 3 umbrellas ”yes, 3 umbrellas.

Any show you’re especially looking forward to?

I’m really looking forward to Basillaca in Minneapolis. The Jayhawks are reuniting for the first time! I’m playing right before them. I’m opening for the Jayhawks! Awesome!

Check out more about Serena Ryder here. Like what you hear? Then listen to these similar artists on OurStage: