It's just a tad windy and the weather can't really make up its mind on whether it wants to snow or rain. Thank the lord above that Walt's decided to drive so that we can make it to the Middle East a bit early. We stop by the store so I can pick up some C batteries and a 90-minute tape for an interview I'm not so sure is going to happen. We make our way through the "hustle & bustle" (how my dear southern friends refer to crowded streets) of Boston in search of a beautiful blonde mystery that may or may not be holding an autoharp. Another Hail Mary arrives as I'm just enough of a musically obsessed dork to notice her from the street as she sits with her band behind brightly lit laptops and steaming soup bowls. As I say hello and introduce myself I feel as excited as I did when I realized milkshakes come in more than one flavor. Basia Bulat may be a small young woman but she gives you sincere attention that delivers an actual sense of being. She shakes my hand with both her hands clasped around mine as if she's been waiting to meet me for sometime. For a second I actually forget why I'm there in the first place. We set up a time to chat as Walt makes sure we have a slice of Hi-Fi pizza and a beer before we meet back at the ME upstairs.

Seated in the back researching antique autoharps, Basia Bulat has a presence that places her a step above the typical Saturday night crowd. We break the ice a bit with some hot tea and a couple tall boys. She speaks honestly with a joy that you usually only see in young children. "People have really been paying attention" she says about her current tour. "The crowd in NY was wonderful" speaking of the show the night before with headliner St. Vincent. With the night in Boston being her last stop on this particular jaunt we speak of her upcoming tour opening for Devotchka. "It's really amazing to see what they've become. I'm excited for the shows because our bands are going to interchange a bit."

After chit-chatting about how cool art teachers are we discuss Basia's 2007 effort Oh My Darling and interests of both the past and present. First topic up for grabs is the intoxicating jubilee entitled "In the Night". The first single from Oh My Darling finds Basia and her merry band rocking the autoharp and drums as if the night should never end. "The song just wasn't finished in time to make the original pressing.” she explains. “There are actually different versions where you can hear little changes here and there." As for the tremendous one shot video, "We actually received a grant to make the video, but only had a short time to make things happen. I think we did maybe two takes and only had so many costumes to borrow." Later that evening as Basia launches into the opening chords of the song she shoots her band mates a smile that radiates happiness. The band's live version is both enthusiastic and serene as it puts you in a space you don't ever want to leave.

The "In the Night" single was released recently (BUY HERE) with a re-recorded version of the opening track from Oh My Darling "Before I Knew". "That was the record company's idea." Basia explains. "We have something like 10 different versions of that song. I knew I wanted the new version to be extremely different from the original. There is a reason the original is a minute and half long so we intentionally went in a different direction." Also on the single is a beautifully recorded version of the Sam Cooke classic "Touch the Hem of his Garment". "I love Sam Cooke and lots of older soul like Otis and Odetta. We've been listening to a lot of great soul mixes in the van this tour" she adds. On the topic of what Ms. Bulat has been listening to these days she speaks highly of Montreal and Toronto bands that surround her. "Let’s see....I think Ohbijou is an amazing band. Katie Stelmanis is also wonderful!” The Great Lake Swimmers are brought up several times as we talk about music and bands that just never get old. Like anyone that’s asked of what they like and listen to Basia is both sporadic and excited.


"Touch the Hem of his Garment"by Basia Bulat (Sam Cooke cover) live from the Wolfe Island Music Festival {mp3}

Coming from a musical family Basia “plays” several instruments but doesn’t particularly write on just one. We actually joke for a bit on how much someone can actually play an instrument although from what I've seen she could tear Rock Band apart single handedly. Recalling her days in the community youth orchestra she adds, “ At one point I decided to tackle the largest instrument I could find which just happened to be the stand-up bass.” Basia also rents instruments from a nearby music store in an attempt to keep no sound unturned/unheard.

After the music chat we shift to talking about our interests and other hobbies. A great love for reading and plants is discussed. “I actually play on a ball-hockey team that’s kind of a community league thing.” Walt and I immediately express our love and admiration for the game which is in turn greeted with an invitation to knock sticks should we ever be near the great white north. Just the idea of playing with Basia and some other well known Montreal musicians put’s a smile on my face that lasts for days. Turns out Basia also has the 7-inch bug as she speaks of starting a small trading club, “Yeah Howard (Bilerman) and I have talked about it and I would love to do it among friends at first and then just kinda see what happens. I'm thinking an original on one side and a cover on the other.”

Looking on through 2008 Basia explains her excitement for the Devotchka tour as well as (time to get excited!!!) her plans to begin recording her second album this summer with Oh My Darling producer Howard Bilerman. “We were going to start tomorrow actually, but the timing just wasn’t right so we’re going to hold off till June.”

About an hour and a half later Basia makes her way onto the stage of The Middle East downstairs to a sold out crowd that has actually showed up on time. All by herself, Bulat stomps her feet and claps her hands into an old beautiful gospel tune called “Hush” that is simply heart melting. “My favorite version is by Miriam Makeba, a singer and artist who has really inspired me” she would later share. Throughout her quick opening set Basia is both gracious and witty. Walt turns to me during “The Pilgriming Vine” to inform me that “this is the cut!!” We both watch with open jaws whenever Bobby Bulat decides to lay down the sick beats that some people like to call drumming (aka he's really, really good). A cover of Daniel Johnston’s “True Love Will Find You In the End” is met with encouraging screams and vocal accompaniment from the enthralled crowd. The set ends with the hand-clapping hit “ I Was a Daughter” which gets the entire crowd all over those infectious 16th notes.


(hush live from a show this past January!)

After the show we chat with the band, get invited to meet St. Vincent, and receive numerous hugs from Basia before we’re on our way. I know I can speak for Walt on this one when I say that the night was more like meeting a great new friend for the first time rather than just conducting some uptight by the books interview. Recalling the night with a Prestige in hand (my new favorite Haitian beer) Walt and I received a call from the tour van. Basia and the gang thank us again and we in return tell them how awesome they were that night. Basia replies with the best retort I’ve heard in sometime, “Thanks, but you guys are awesome always!!!”

More Basia Bulat that needs to be checked out immediately!!!

1. Find her on tour with Devotchka!
2. Listen and download her brand new daytrotter session! (includes a new untitled song and the Sam Cooke & Daniel Johnston covers!)
3. Check out Holly Rancher's hilarious and informative new blog! (she plays ukulele in Basia's band!)