BANFF – Often seen performing live for an audience in the Bow Valley, Irene Poole is usually asked if her music is available for streaming. However, her answer was always a reluctant no.
But now she can change her answer and refer listeners to her debut album, The Mountains and the Sea, which released on all platforms Thursday (Nov. 14).
“It's a long process to make an album, but I'm really happy that it's finally here,” said Poole.
“I think it's an important step for the next phase of my career because part of the reason I did it is also that I have a calling card.”
The Banff-raised musician draws inspiration of the places around her like the majestic mountains, or even Scott Lake Hill on the Trans-Canada Highway, which has a song of its own.
The sea is also reference to when Poole spent time on the Atlantic coast for post-secondary where she wrote about the experience of “being by the ocean and seeing kind of the vastness of it all.”
Poole was even inspired enough by the east coast culture to write a sea shanty for the album.
“I think the album has a good range of songs on it,” she said, adding that the oldest song on the album was written 10 years ago.
Poole released two singles, Golden Boy and Halley’s Comet, to test the waters with releasing music and make a debut on streaming platforms.
“I feel like this whole process has been such a learning experience, because it's my first one and everything is brand new. Even learning that being a musician is mostly just sending emails,” Poole said with a laugh.
On Nov. 17, Poole will be performing the album at Limber Hollow in Calgary to celebrates its release.
Poole enlisted help from friends and family to record a campfire sing-along for the album titled Keep a Little Love, which was an experience that stood out for Poole during the process.
“Those are all people who supported me and my journey all just singing about how important it is to be kind to one another; how important it is to respect the world we live in and to really just come together as a community. I think music is such a great way to do that,” said Poole. “My artistic manifesto is kind of built into that song.”
The album, which features 10 songs, was recorded on the east coast and along with Poole’s ukulele and piano playing, has musicians from Nova Scotia on the tracks playing the fiddle, cello and guitar.
“It gives a lot of nice colour to the songs,” said Poole.
Poole has noticed that musicians gravitate to releasing singles to take advantage of social media algorithms, however she finds albums are way to get a sense of an artist’s journey and storytelling.
“I think there's something that is really special when you get to sit and listen to something for 40 minutes, and you're spending all that time with one artist,” said Poole.
Along with being streamed online, Poole’s album will be available on CD.
“It's funny because in this town I feel like things are still pretty analog,” she said. “I will be making CDs, even though they're getting rid of CD players in cars these days, which I think is silly.”
Those looking to get their hands on a CD can contact Poole or find her after a show.
The live performances won’t slow down for Poole as she’ll be driving around Alberta to belt out some tunes. For Poole’s schedule visit, www.irene-poole.com/current-projects.
“It's a busy month and I'm excited,” she said.
After the road trips, Poole will be at artsPlace in Canmore on Nov. 24 for the Melodies for a Resilient Future, a benefit concert for Jasper.
