Episode 259 - Feist

Feist's Musical Journey and Early Influences

Feist, born Leslie Feist in Nova Scotia, grew up in a creative household and developed an interest in music during her early adolescence. She experimented with layered vocals and harmonies and sang in school choirs. After a brief career as a lead singer in a punk band, she taught herself guitar and bass during a forced hiatus from singing due to vocal chord issues. She moved to Toronto in 1996 and played in various bands before releasing her first solo album, Mona, in 1999.

The Making of 'Multitudes'

The album 'Multitudes' was inspired by two major events in Feist's life: the birth of her daughter and the sudden death of her father. She developed the songs for the album during a series of immersive live shows called Multitudes, which she toured around North America in 2021 and 2022. The songs were then recorded for the album. The production of the album started with a stripped-down version of the songs without drums, focusing on the guitar and vocals. The album showcases the evolution and refinement of the songs over time.

The Role of Collaboration in Feist's Songwriting

Feist has collaborated with various artists throughout her career, including Peaches and Broken Social Scene. While she has worked with others on a few songs, collaboration has been relatively rare for her. She finds value in being part of projects and bands that are not solely centered around her own name. Feist appreciates the opportunity to collaborate and work with other musicians, but she also enjoys the personal and introspective process of writing songs on her own.

Taking Time for Self-Reflection and Recharging

After touring extensively and releasing albums, Feist recognizes the importance of taking breaks and stepping away from the songwriting process. She believes in refilling the creative well and finding inspiration by living a well-rounded life. Feist acknowledges that constant productivity and creative output can sometimes lead to diminishing returns. By taking time for personal growth and experiencing life outside of music, she believes that she can bring more authenticity and freshness to her songwriting.

Sodajerker On Songwriting

Episode 259 - Feist

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Quick takeaways

Deep dives

Feist's Musical Journey and Early Influences

The Making of 'Multitudes'

The Role of Collaboration in Feist's Songwriting

Taking Time for Self-Reflection and Recharging

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