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ENTERTAINMENT
C5
Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2012
Fax 403-341-6560 editorial@reddeeradvocate.com
Furtado’s spirit rises MULLED QUITTING ENGLISH POP ALTOGETHER BY NICK PATCH THE CANADIAN PRESS TORONTO — After rattling the charts with her sexed-up clubquake Loose, Nelly Furtado faced a difficult riddle: how to follow the biggest success of her career, a disc that sounded like nothing else in her catalogue? She took her time pondering that question. First, she took a couple years off, enjoying a slice of homebody life for the first time in her career. But still, the answer didn’t come — after three years, she pressed ahead and issued the Spanish-language disc Mi Plan, in part to tide over fans. Eventually, still uptight over Loose, she mused on quitting English-language music altogether — although how much that was a real concern or a selfmotivational strategy is hard to discern. “I go through this love-hate thing with my career,” the chipper 33-year-old said in a recent interview while lounging on a couch in a Toronto hotel room. “I really think it’s psychological, where I tell myself I’m going to quit so I can get back into the studio and create something that’s too good for me not to quit. “I have to create that tension. I have to create that do-or-die, gotta live for it. I guess it’s my way of making sure the quality’s there.... “It’s a bizarre, weird artistic game I play.” Well, it appears as though she won, because on Tuesday, Furtado will release The Spirit Indestructible, her first English-language album in more than six years. It’s a testament to the taut power of Loose that it was so hard to craft a follow-up. That album featured four top 5 hits in Canada, went multi-platinum in 32 countries and moved 10 million copies worldwide. And it’s not a coincidence that she approached Spirit differently. Where gifted hip-hop producer Timbaland gilded nine of Loose’s tracks with his distinct sound, he’s nowhere to be found on Furtado’s new disc, which features production from Grammy winner Rodney (Darkchild) Jerkins and Amy Winehouse collaborator Salaam Remi. And while Loose cast Furtado as a glam, hip-swivelling vixen, “Spirit” finds the Victoria native exploring disparate sides of her personality. “Loose, without meaning to, became more of a concept album — and I guess my concept was pop — let’s make this very broad, thematic album, where it’s very light in a way but sonically together,” Furtado said. “Mi Plan as well, is very one sound — it’s very much a latin pop record — so it’s quite sonically consistent in one way.
Photo by THE CANADIAN PRESS
Nelly Furtado performs during the 2012 Much Music Video Awards in Toronto in June. Furtado will release The Spirit Indestructible, her first English-language album in more than six years, today. “But this album isn’t. It’s back to the fun, and the risk, and the real irreverence. What I like most about it is I feel some of that punk attitude on this album that I had on my first album.” Yet even if Furtado’s concept was not having a concept at all, common themes soon began emerging in the new tunes she was writing. Primarily, The Spirit Indestructible finds Furtado revelling in nostalgia. Propulsive first single Big Hoops (Bigger the Better) is a callback to “that 14-year-old girl with that fire inside ... who knew the microphone was really where she should be,” with lyrics that directly reference early ’90s hip-hop hitmakers Salt-N-Pepa. The booming Parking Lot was inspired by Furtado’s recollections of late-night teenage gatherings outside her local 7-Eleven, while piano-powered knocker High Life goes “back to the girl in the bedroom dreaming about being a famous singer.” “There’s a big difference between her dreaming about it and what happens when you achieve those things,” said Furtado. Indeed, Furtado has tried hard to maintain her
approachable normalcy even as her profile has ballooned. Following the success of Loose, she retreated into routine — swapping stilettos for rubber boots and velour track pants while she drove her daughter to school each day and thought about music only in her spare time. “I really viciously guard that — it’s my only way to stay grounded really, is to live a normal life,” Furtado said. “I’m proud of that. I definitely wear it on my sleeve. I like that I do all the same things and have pretty much all the same friends that I used to have.” She notes that it hasn’t always been that way, that in the beginning of her career especially — don’t forget, Furtado dropped her multiplatinum debut Whoa, Nelly! at the tender age of 21 — she struggled to carve out time for herself. “It’s like, whoa, you don’t have any time to slow down and look at your life. But in the last four or five years, I’ve had the chance to do that. I’ve been lucky enough to get off the horse and really gain a lot of perspective.”
LOCAL
BRIEFS
Contributed photo
Local comedy troupe Bull Skit! has a few surprises up its sleeve in the first shows of the season.
Bull Skit! kicking off season The Bull Skit! improv and sketch comedy troupe kicks off its season with twice the musical entertainment. The musical guests for Friday and Saturday’s shows at the Scott Block in downtown Red Deer are Erin Glover and Kyle Hansen. Glover is a singer/songwriter who’s finishing her music diploma at Red Deer College. Hansen is a recent RDC graduate who lends his guitar talent to the local rock group Ruined Escape Plan. The local comedy troupe has a few surprises up its sleeve in these first shows of the season — and some favourite characters will also appear. Regular audience members will recognize the boys from the bar, the nerds Sarah and Alice, and many more. The creativity never
PREMIUM RUSH
stops as troupe members continue to pull antics that they’d never get away with at home. Bull Skit! contains mature language and themes. Doors open at 7 p.m., the show starts at 8 p.m. There’s a cash bar. Tickets are $23 ($18 students/seniors) and are available in advance from Sunworks or by calling 403-3413455.
Bill Bourne coming home for Christmas Juno Award-winning singer/songwriter Bill Bourne will be home for Christmas — and he’s bringing along some talented friends. Bourne will portray Ebenezer
14A PG
Violence, Not Rec. for young children 12:45, 9:30
THE AVENGERS 3D
PG
14A
Violence
1:00, 6:55
18A
Crude content, substance abuse 1:05, 3:50, 7:05, 9:50
DIARY OF A WIMPY KID 3
G
1:10, 3:50, 7:15
STEP UP REVOLUTION 3D
PG 10:00
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN THE 2D PG Violence, frightening scenes, not recommend for children
3:40
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN THE 3D PG Violence, frightening scenes, not recommended for children 12:45, 6:45
MADAGASCAR 3: EUROPE’S MOST WANTED 3D G 1:15, 3:55
MADAGASCAR 3: EUROPE’S MOST WANTED 2D G 7:20
MAGIC MIKE
14A
Secual content, nudity, coarse language, substance abuse
9:45
SAVAGES
18A
Brutal violence, sexual content, substance abuse 3:45, 9:35
THAT’S MY BOY Crude, Sexual Content
MEN IN BLACK 3 2D Violence
SNOW WHITE AND THE HUNTSMAN
18A 9:40
PG 7:10, 9:55
PG
Violence, Frightening Scenes, not recommended for young children 12:50, 3:30
www.carnivalcinemas.net 5402-47 St. Red Deer MOVIE LINE 346-1300
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The venue has changed for a couple of free Red Deer Culture Days performances that are set for Saturday, Sept. 29. A country-folk concert by Ruth Purves and the 581s, and a presentation of Prairie Tales, a collection of short Alberta films, will be held at the Scott Block in downtown Red Deer. Doors open at noon and the shows go from 1 to 3:30 p.m. The events were previously slated for a Central Alberta Theatre venue, which is now not available.
Fire Prevention Week (October 7 – 13, 2012) will include stories on the City of Red Deer’s ¿re department but will also include useful information.
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6350-67th Street, Red Deer
346-3339 Ample, Well-Lit Parking Lot
36867A3
TED
Fleeting moments are the inspiration for a new art exhibit at the HarrisWarke gallery. In the Blink of a Smile showcases multi-media works by Red Deer artist Andrea Simpson. The predominantly stained-glass artist combines some glass pieces and
Red Deer Culture Days venue changes
The Red Deer Advocate is honoured to be publishing a special feature dedicated to the brave men and women of our local ¿re departments. Published on Thursday, October 4 this feature, promoting:
Violence, Not Rec. for young children 3:35, 6:40
TOTAL RECALL
In the Blink of a Smile coming to gallery
some works on canvas for the exhibit, which tries to capture moments in time. “A word, a smile, a glance, a smell. Life spins by,” said Simpson. “One more moment in time is all we ask for. “It is as radiant as the sunshine, as transparent as the glass I work with, as warm as the paint on the canvas.” The exhibit runs to Oct. 20. A reception will be held on First Friday, Oct. 5, from 6 to 8 p.m. The gallery is in Sunworks on Ross Street.
FIRE PREVENTION
1:20, 4:00, 7:25, 10:00
THE AVENGERS 2D
Scrooge in the musical theatrical “extravaganza,” The Christmas Carol Project, which will be performed on Dec. 20 at the Red Deer College Arts Centre. Bourne will get support in this story-telling musical adaptation of Charles Dickens’ legendary Christmas tale from Edmonton musicians Maria Dunn, Al Brant, Dave Clarke, Kevin Cook, Bill Hobson, Dale Ladouceur, Terry Morrison and Tom Roschkov. The Christmas Carol Project is being promoted as a perfect family outing — or great alternative to standard office Christmas parties. Tickets to the 7:30 p.m. show, presented by the Central Music Festival, are on sale for $42 from the Black Knight Ticket Centre. The Red Deer Food Bank will also be accepting donations at the event.
WEEK 2012
Contact your Advocate representative today:
Pam Beardsworth Ph: (403) 314-4350 Email:
pbeardsworth@reddeeradvocate.com