The Wailin' Jennys go from one-off folk concert to full-time job
A one-night stand featuring three women named Jenny The Wailin' Jennys go from one-off folk concert to full-time job
A one-night stand featuring three women named Jenny. Sure it sounds like something you might watch in the privacy of your own home on late night pay-per-view, but in this case, it is much purer. And with a better soundtrack.
When Winnipeg singer-songwriters Cara Luft, Nicky Mehta and Ruth Moody took an evening out of their individually successful music careers to play together in a guitar store, it was supposed to be a one-time deal. When that show sold out and another was immediately added, the three women began to think that this might have the makings of a good thing. Somebody thought of a tongue-in-cheek moniker, and The Wailin' Jennys was born. The three haven't had a chance to look back since.
With a sound that combined traditional and contemporary folk with Celtic, country and even pop, the three Jennys go beyond simply taking turns doing their own tunes. Each member contributes songs and favourite covers to the project, but the group is able to make it their own, complete with signature spine-tingling harmonies.
Their debut full-length 40 Days combined songs by each of the three songwriters, with tunes by Neil Young and John Hiatt. "I think we've been able to go beyond just the idea of backing each other up," says Luft, a former Calgary resident. "Whoever's song we are doing, we want to make it a Jennys song. Nobody in the band wants to feel like they're just standing there strumming the G chord for the entire song.
"We are still able to showcase each individual writing talent and singing style, and yet there's this common thread."
While strong harmonies form a backbone to the Jennys' sound, Luft describes this as a happy accident rather than something that was top of mind when the three first played.
"It was totally strange, because if you've ever heard any of our solo stuff or other projects we've been involved in, the styles were really different, so you'd assume our vocal stylings would be an odd combination," she says. "But for some reason, it works."
And audience reaction affirms it works undeniably well. An overwhelmingly positive response at a North American Folk Alliance Conference led to shows across the continent, as well as future European tours. They have even been called "the next big thing" by some music industry observers.
Such buzz was not something the trio had planned for. What began with a one-off show has become a full-time job. Yet Luft is quick to point out that it is still an enjoyable project, even though it takes more time than they ever imagined.
"It is still fun, but it has been a lot of work. And it's the kind of work that we weren't prepared for, in terms of the business end of things, because we were busy doing our other projects."
"Right now we jokingly say that the Jennys have taken over our lives. It is a priority for us right now, mostly because of the work we're getting out of it. And we just spent a bunch of money and time doing a brand new album, and that's our commitment - that's our baby."
So with their evolving success and "new baby", The Wailin' Jennys indeed prove a one-night fling can lead to a long and beautiful friendship.