Arts
Two for the Road
TODD ROBSON
Summer 2008 |
He wanted to be closer to his girlfriend, singer Kate Maki.
“Both Nathan and I were tired of living in Toronto,” says Maki, who works as a teacher when she isn’t performing.
“Nathan was willing to move to Sudbury, and I really like Sudbury for its slower pace of life. I’ve always enjoyed living in a place with four different seasons, clean air, and with lakes all around.”
Maki and Lawr see no obstacles to working from Sudbury.
“There’s no boundaries on exposure anymore,” explains Lawr. “The internet can get you wherever you want to go. Sure, there are fewer places to play, but musicians like Sarah Harmer lives in Kingston, and Joel Plaskett lives in Dartmouth, so location really isn’t an issue anymore.”
Maki agrees. “With the amount of travelling we each have to do, there really isn’t much of a difference between airports and the road. We’re happy living in Sudbury and there aren’t really any limitations to being here.”
As a couple, Lawr, 33, and Maki, 30, have collaborated on several projects, but still maintain the autonomy of being distinct and unique artists.
Lawr, who is originally from Guelph, starting playing drums when he was 13. He went on to learn the piano. Music and composition have been central to his life ever since.
Lawr’s composition and unique musical styling has allowed him to journey around the globe.
As a member of such popular indie bands as King Cobb Steelie, Royal City, Fembots and most recently Nathan Lawr and the Minotaurs, Lawr’s creative drive, deep, penetrating lyrics, and his unpredictable and folksy eclectic style have built a following across Canada and the United States.
Lawr credits his success to a strong commitment to his craft, citing both hard work and an almost spiritual dedication.
“You have to pay your dues,” says Lawr. “The more energy and time you spend investing in that energy and the universe, the more you will get out of your art and yourself.”
His latest disc, A Sea of Tiny Lights, tackles some of the heavier news headlines of the past few years. On this, his third album, Lawr sings about subjects that range from kidnapped Christian missionary James Loney to Columbine.
Through his lyrics, Lawr draws his audience deep into events of the recent past, weaving emotional tales of a bystander, proclaiming his feelings and observations “These are things that really touched me,” explains Lawr.
“And if I feel strongly about something, I feel the need to respond.
As an artist, this is how I express and react to what is going on in the world around me.”
Another reason for Lawr’s far ranging lyrics and worldly topics may be that during his downtime between the studio from touring, he is busy studying. Lawr recently finished his second year of studies at Laurentian University where he is majoring in history.
Maki released her third CD, On High, this past February. She has found acclaim from coast to coast.
Her unique sound, coupled with her witty and clever lyrics, are driven by a combination of blues, folk and a hint of country. Maki’s music captivates audiences and some listeners become loyal fans after one spin of her latest disc.
Her debut CD, Confusion Unlimited, and the follow-up The Sun Will Find Us were both recognized as Album of the Year by the Northern Ontario Music and Film Awards.
“Nathan and I have worked together on a lot of things,” explains Maki. “I sing back up vocals on his songs, he plays drums on mine. We try to tour together, but most of the time we both perform separately.”
Maki makes it quite clear they are two separate artists; each with their own motivations, styles and approaches to music.
And for this couple, it works. Maki further explains that being in a relationship for more than four years with a fellow musician lets you appreciate how hard each of them must work to create and succeed.
Maki and Lawr write and work independently, but appreciate having each other to bounce ideas on.
Maki toured Canada and the United States in the spring. In May the couple embarked on a cross-Canada tour.
Maki will be performing at this year’s Northern Lights Festival Boréal, July 4, 5, and 6. And so will Nathan Lawr and the Minotaurs.
Paul Loewenberg, the festival’s artistic director is excited to have Lawr and Maki as part of this year’s line-up and thinks that the timing couldn’t be much better.
“Having Nathan and Kate both agree to perform is definitely a win-win situation for all of us this year,” says Loewenberg.
“They both have new albums to promote, they both had dates open from touring, and from an organizer’s point of view, it really couldn’t get much better. They are great musicians with new material to feature, and we’re just the event to help promote that.”
And the fact that the couple is based in Sudbury is an added bonus to Northern Lights.
“Nathan and Kate each have the roots and song appeal that Northern Lights Festival Boréal looks for, and that they are both Sudbury-based is two check marks on the good side,” explains Loewenberg.
“But in the end, whether they were local or not would not have mattered. Both are very professional performers and each is well thought of in the Canadian music industry. Nathan and Kate are exactly the type of artists that we would seek for this festival. The fact that they are from Sudbury is a gift more than anything.”
