Kat Edmonson: Singer, Songwriter

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Kat Edmonson is a singer songwriter from Texas.

I spoke with Kat in 2014, after the release of her third album “The Big Picture.”

Kat is a master songwriter who channels the work of tin pan alley lyricists while adding the contemporary edge of an ambitious, single woman living in the age of social media. Imagine an iPhone user with a touch of Cole Porter and Blossom Dearie. Kat says that while she writes, she endlessly researches the origins of words – and it shows in her playful and poignant lyrics.

Woody Allen recognized her talents and featured one of Kat’s songs in “Café Society,” the rom-com set in 1930s Hollywood.

Kat’s album “Way Down Low,” that features a duet with Lyle Lovett, is one of my all-time favourites, and when I first heard that Kat agreed to do my podcast I was over the moon. How often does anyone get to talk to someone who has created something so meaningful to their lives? That album of hers has coaxed tears from my eyes and helped me to discover joy in places I thought were desolate.

I was anxious.

So I was a bit anxious about meeting her.

Naturally Kat was a charming and willing participant in the interview, immediately putting me at ease.
Kat’s grace and calmness belie the complex path to her achievements, and in speaking with her it became clear that she’s destined to do even greater things.

Kat’s most recent release is “Old Fashioned Gal.” In a review Glide Magazine says “With an adroit feel for classic jazz circa the ‘30s and ‘40s, she emulates the great standards of days gone by. She possesses a gift for composing alluring and engaging songs, all of which are highly evocative, each on its own.”

In the podcast we discuss several songs, I’ve included them all in this Spotify playlist. Consider listening to the playlist prior to listening to the interview. You must have a Spotify account to listen.

Here’s the video to Kat’s song “Rainy Day Woman.”

Links from the podcast
Follow Kat on Instagram
Kat Edmonson.com

Steve Ross, Actor


An accomplished actor, Steve Ross has performed at The Stratford Festival for 11 years. In 2014 he played Sancho Panza in “Man of La Mancha” and Moose in “Crazy for You.”

Currently Steve can be seen as Shrek at The Grand Theatre in London, On. where he plays the lead role. Towards the end of the podcast Steve discusses how he prepared for the role.

Steve’s performed at a variety of theatres including Chicago Shakespeare theatre, The Canadian Stage and the Neptune Theatre.

But Steve began acting later in life, after dropping out of Western University, and Sheridan College’s sports medicine programs. He would study at Brock University and the National Theatre School of Canada before finally choosing a life on the stage.

We discuss Steve’s love of comedy, his most bizarre audition for a TV commercial and the time he failed in the role of Edgar in “King Lear.”

Steve was an actor on the verbatim theatre piece “London Road” at the Canadian Stage. We discuss how it felt rehearsing with an ear piece….listening to the real voice of the character he played, in his ear.

We also talk about his mother, who suffered from depression, and the impact that had on his acting.

Links from the Podcast
Leah Cherniak
The National Theatre School of Canada
The Stratford Festival

Anna Atkinson: Musician, Songwriter

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Anna Atkinson, Interview, podcast, moonitureAnna Atkinson is a multi-intrumentalist, singer and songwriter.

She is most frequently heard playing violin, viola and accordion.

In 2008 she graduated from the University of Victoria, after studying with the department of music.

As well as writing and performing, Anna has appeared in several productions at the Stratford Festival including “Jacques Brel Is Alive And Well And Living In Paris,” “The Pirates of Penzance” and “Fiddler On The Roof.” She was also a contributing composer on “The Grapes of Wrath.”

Currently Anna can be seen performing as part of the Musical Brunches at Rundles concert series. Rundles is one of Stratford’s finest restaurants. The intimate concerts run every Saturday and Sunday until August 24.

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Mooniture
Click to Listen

In June 2011, Atkinson released Mooniture, her critically acclaimed debut CD recorded with producer Brent Bodrug. It was featured on the Toronto Star’s Anti-Hit List, and continues to receive frequent play on CBC radio.

Click on CD image to sample Anna’s CD on iTunes

Anna grew up in a musical family. Her father is a self-taught banjo and guitarist. He is one of the founding members of the Folk Music Society in Windsor, On.

Show Notes
Contact Rundles for reservations to Anna’s musical Brunch
Purchase “Mooniture” directly from Anna
Windsor Folk Music & Arts Society
The Stratford Festival