Switching her attention between writing and performing and her leatherwork business; creating unique, and custom made masterpieces, artisan and singer/songwriter Talie Polischuk lives and breathes various avenues of art in the spotlight and out.
Although she has been writing songs for almost a decade, hitting the stage and sharing them with the masses is her newest, and sometimes scary endeavour. Talie spoke with us about balancing life and art, overcoming stage fright and her favourite parts about Harvest Sun.
You’re a maker and a musician, so how did you get involved in both of those aspects of art?
I’ve been writing songs for ten years. I’ve written a lot of songs but only really started performing in the last few years. I’m kind of shy and secretive about my songs for some reason. I really enjoy the process of creating [them], and now I’m trying to get more comfortable with performing and sharing them.
As far as my leatherwork business and my background in art, I do have a background in art history. When I got pregnant, I decided I wanted to start a business and had this idea that I could be self-employed and have my daughter at home with me. I started doing farmer’s markets, craft sales, and music festivals, and I found my favourite place to vend is music festivals. I love music so much, and I enjoy the culture of it; being around all the musicians and all the creative people that frequent festivals. They have the right energy and vibe for what I do.
I’ve always had a bit of a fantasy of touring and vending at festivals while playing at them. It would be so fun to do both and make the most of my time if I’m going to be away from home for a weekend.
You mentioned you’ve been writing music for ten years but just started performing recently. Was the reasoning behind keeping those songs to yourself a bit of a vulnerability thing?
For me, performing is vulnerable. I have incredible stage fright. I’m an extrovert, but for some reason when I get on stage it switches, and I feel extremely introverted and shy.
Everybody’s looking at you, and it’s different than engaging with people in the world. It’s funny because some people are introverted and then they get on stage, and they just blossom and completely come out of their shell. I’m not that way. I get really shy, and sometimes I have laughing fits on stage or just anxiety about performing. I think my stage fright has impeded me from performing, but I love sharing my music with people, and they do appreciate it, and that motivates me to want to do it.
Although she has been writing songs for almost a decade, hitting the stage and sharing them with the masses is her newest, and sometimes scary endeavour. Talie spoke with us about balancing life and art, overcoming stage fright and her favourite parts about Harvest Sun.
You’re a maker and a musician, so how did you get involved in both of those aspects of art?
I’ve been writing songs for ten years. I’ve written a lot of songs but only really started performing in the last few years. I’m kind of shy and secretive about my songs for some reason. I really enjoy the process of creating [them], and now I’m trying to get more comfortable with performing and sharing them.
As far as my leatherwork business and my background in art, I do have a background in art history. When I got pregnant, I decided I wanted to start a business and had this idea that I could be self-employed and have my daughter at home with me. I started doing farmer’s markets, craft sales, and music festivals, and I found my favourite place to vend is music festivals. I love music so much, and I enjoy the culture of it; being around all the musicians and all the creative people that frequent festivals. They have the right energy and vibe for what I do.
I’ve always had a bit of a fantasy of touring and vending at festivals while playing at them. It would be so fun to do both and make the most of my time if I’m going to be away from home for a weekend.
You mentioned you’ve been writing music for ten years but just started performing recently. Was the reasoning behind keeping those songs to yourself a bit of a vulnerability thing?
For me, performing is vulnerable. I have incredible stage fright. I’m an extrovert, but for some reason when I get on stage it switches, and I feel extremely introverted and shy.
Everybody’s looking at you, and it’s different than engaging with people in the world. It’s funny because some people are introverted and then they get on stage, and they just blossom and completely come out of their shell. I’m not that way. I get really shy, and sometimes I have laughing fits on stage or just anxiety about performing. I think my stage fright has impeded me from performing, but I love sharing my music with people, and they do appreciate it, and that motivates me to want to do it.
I think that’s a common thing among some musicians, but then they have to bring themselves to becoming excited. I imagine it is exciting but also nerve-wracking, especially when you write songs, you’re pouring yourself out there on top of putting yourself out there.
Yes, it’s very personal. Not only are you writing the songs, but it’s your voice, it’s the way you play your instrument, your stage presence, it’s all part of it. Whereas a lot of other artistic mediums, you go away, create something and then you share it.
With my art and leatherwork, I create it independently and come out with it on my own terms when I think it’s ready and present it as a final product. With live musical performance, there’s always an element of surprise and chance involved with how you’re feeling that day, who’s in the audience and you never know what venue is going to receive your music well. Sometimes you play in a bar, and you think everyone is going to be loud, but then they’re actually listening, or sometimes you play a house concert, and then everybody gets drunk and are partying.
I think the best part for me about starting to perform is my friends and local musicians that never knew I was writing songs are now hearing my music, and I’m getting the chance to collaborate with them. That’s been rewarding to have other musicians, and songwriters get to listen to my stuff and share and swap songs.
I’m glad that you mentioned collaborating because that’s a big thing that happens at Harvest Sun every year. Out of the other musicians heading out this year or other local musicians and who would love to work with someday?
Oh gosh, there are lots of musicians I’ve seen on the list that I’m excited about. I’ve been a fan of Shotgun Jimmie since high school. I’ve gotten to see Scott Nolan and Richard Inman play there, and that was a treat. Madeleine Roger is an inspiration. Everything she does is great, and I’m inspired by her championing of female musicians, and the independence of taking on her recording.
Rob [Waddell] and I ended up jamming around the fire during the first time I went. He was really supportive and excited about my songs and encouraged me to try to play at the festival. It was really nice to get his feedback because I love his songwriting,
I’m most excited about this festival because it’s a little gem and not a lot of people know about it. As soon as I went there, I was like ‘oh this is like a big family.’ Everybody knows each other, and it always feels nice to go back every year and start to get to know the locals and the people in that area.
You’re on both sides of what this festival celebrates, the artist and the musician. Why do you think a festival like Harvest Sun is so important?
I think music festivals are an important place for everybody because music is for everyone. It’s a great opportunity for makers and artisans to share their work with people. People who go to music festivals generally appreciate the arts and appreciate creativity. They attract supportive audiences for both mediums.
Catch at Talie Polischuk The Harvest Sun Music Festival in Kelwood, MB - August 16 -18th.
Follow Talie on Facebook, and Instagram.
Be sure to check out @harvestsunmusicfest on Instagram on July xxxth, as Talie takes over our account for the day!
Yes, it’s very personal. Not only are you writing the songs, but it’s your voice, it’s the way you play your instrument, your stage presence, it’s all part of it. Whereas a lot of other artistic mediums, you go away, create something and then you share it.
With my art and leatherwork, I create it independently and come out with it on my own terms when I think it’s ready and present it as a final product. With live musical performance, there’s always an element of surprise and chance involved with how you’re feeling that day, who’s in the audience and you never know what venue is going to receive your music well. Sometimes you play in a bar, and you think everyone is going to be loud, but then they’re actually listening, or sometimes you play a house concert, and then everybody gets drunk and are partying.
I think the best part for me about starting to perform is my friends and local musicians that never knew I was writing songs are now hearing my music, and I’m getting the chance to collaborate with them. That’s been rewarding to have other musicians, and songwriters get to listen to my stuff and share and swap songs.
I’m glad that you mentioned collaborating because that’s a big thing that happens at Harvest Sun every year. Out of the other musicians heading out this year or other local musicians and who would love to work with someday?
Oh gosh, there are lots of musicians I’ve seen on the list that I’m excited about. I’ve been a fan of Shotgun Jimmie since high school. I’ve gotten to see Scott Nolan and Richard Inman play there, and that was a treat. Madeleine Roger is an inspiration. Everything she does is great, and I’m inspired by her championing of female musicians, and the independence of taking on her recording.
Rob [Waddell] and I ended up jamming around the fire during the first time I went. He was really supportive and excited about my songs and encouraged me to try to play at the festival. It was really nice to get his feedback because I love his songwriting,
I’m most excited about this festival because it’s a little gem and not a lot of people know about it. As soon as I went there, I was like ‘oh this is like a big family.’ Everybody knows each other, and it always feels nice to go back every year and start to get to know the locals and the people in that area.
You’re on both sides of what this festival celebrates, the artist and the musician. Why do you think a festival like Harvest Sun is so important?
I think music festivals are an important place for everybody because music is for everyone. It’s a great opportunity for makers and artisans to share their work with people. People who go to music festivals generally appreciate the arts and appreciate creativity. They attract supportive audiences for both mediums.
Catch at Talie Polischuk The Harvest Sun Music Festival in Kelwood, MB - August 16 -18th.
Follow Talie on Facebook, and Instagram.
Be sure to check out @harvestsunmusicfest on Instagram on July xxxth, as Talie takes over our account for the day!
Interview by Janet Adamana
Janet Adamana is the Founder/Editor-In-Chief of Sound, Phrase & Fury Magazine - a Winnipeg-based digital publication dedicated to promoting independent artists and industry professionals from all over the world. More than just about inciting hype, she interviews/writes to capture an artists’ essence and their greatest passions to ignite meaningful connections between fans and really great bands.
Janet Adamana is the Founder/Editor-In-Chief of Sound, Phrase & Fury Magazine - a Winnipeg-based digital publication dedicated to promoting independent artists and industry professionals from all over the world. More than just about inciting hype, she interviews/writes to capture an artists’ essence and their greatest passions to ignite meaningful connections between fans and really great bands.
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