Ryder's memory serves her well - Edmonton Journal - Feb 9th, 2007

Ryder's memory serves her well

Mari Sasano
The Edmonton Journal
Friday, February 09, 2007

SERENA RYDER,
Sidetrack Cafe, 10238 104th St.
tonight at 9,
tix/info: 451-8000
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Not only is Serena Ryder preparing herself for another tour, she's also moving apartments. She answered some questions by phone from her old apartment, while in various stages of packing.
What's in your record collection?
SR: I have a lot of CDs. Pretty much everything I could tell you is on my iPod: Aerosmith, Arcade Fire, Bat for Lashes is a band from the U.K., Beck, Bill Monroe, the Byrds, Etta James, Fats Domino ... .
Did you always have a love of older music?
SR: When I first started performing, I was seven years old. I have a lot of old stuff; old, old country songs. When I started listening to jazz, it was Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday. It was really natural; I've always performed other people's songs. Not always understanding them when I was so young, but trying to figure out where my voice sits in them.
You write your own songs too, right? How are they different for you to perform?
SR: (If Your Memory Serves You Well) is the first record I've done that isn't my own songs. It's different. When I first write them, I feel too close to them. There's some stuff from five years ago I'm more comfortable with because they feel like they belong to me less.
How did you make the songs on your album modern?
SR: I think when I was picking them, I couldn't listen to the originals too much. I didn't want to copy them. It wasn't a conscious decision to make them more modern. I'm from this time, so they're going to be modern!
Is there a song that you wish you had had a chance to cover?
SR: I love everything! The one genre I didn't explore as much was country, which was a pretty big influence on me. Hank Williams, Conway Twitty, Dolly Parton -- Jolene! That's one of my favourites.
Interview with Serena Ryder.
© The Edmonton Journal 2007