Interview With Canadian Singer-Songwriter Leith Ross
- Sabrina Shahryar
- 1 hour ago
- 4 min read
How did you decide on the album title?
Leith: It’s a very slightly different version than the title of the song, just without the brackets. I picked it because it has two meanings for me. One is the direct meaning of the song. Half of the album is about me and my interpersonal relationships and my understanding of myself, the world and my place in it. It represents this thing of believing in a better future and what that's going to look like in a political nature. The other one is about myself and my own life. I feel like having a deep understanding of myself allows me to look at both what has happened in the past and understand it better. Also to be able to guess or build on purpose my own future. The song itself is probably my favorite on the record and most special to me emotionally. It felt like the beating heart, therefore good for the title.
Is this an album you expect fans to listen to in order?
Leith: Yes, definitely, I would love them to. I always design it that way, but it's okay if people don't. The placement was very specific because "(I Can See) The Future" is the only song on the record that isn't from my perspective. I wrote it from a person living hundreds and thousands of years from now that I'm fighting for now. I thought it would be meaningful, metaphorically, to kind of have most of the songs be about grieving and then have "(I Can See) The Future" be an outlier, almost as proof it's separate. Like an homage to the fact that the future will probably happen when I'm dead. It is bigger and beyond me.
What is the overall emotion you want fans feeling coming out of listening to the album?
Leith: Hopeful, I hope that it feels hopeful. It's an opportunity to feel a bunch of really really hard things, but in the end, be reassured that things will change and be better. Even if we don't get to see it. The world and humanity will continue to evolve and develop, and change. Life will go on.
If someone was listening to your music for the very first time with this release, which song would you want them to listen to and why?
Leith: Maybe "(I Can See) The Future" or "Stay." I feel like "Stay" would be a gentle intro and kind of a summary of the things that are talked about. Also, the combination of the two extremes of sadness and desperation, which is so present on the record. And also celebration, happiness and joy.
When you picture listeners hearing “I Can See The Future” for the first time, what kind of setting or atmosphere do imagine it being played in?
Leith: Like you’re on a bike or something by yourself, there's a cool breeze on your face and looking back at your whole life and considering the entire world and what everything means. Or you're on a walk, or maybe driving to a new place, or an old place you haven't visited in a while. Anything that leads to feeling the fullness of nostalgia. Wondering and thinking about the past and future to the fullest extent that you can. Anything that makes you feel romantic, nostalgic and reflective.
What kind of atmosphere or experience do you hope fans take away from seeing this new chapter performed live on stage?
Leith: I have many dreams, and it can sometimes feel intimidating or difficult to put them in the context of a regular show. I often have these far-off dreams of doing this strange tour where we are all sitting on the floor. Something freaky that will kind of be conducive of this atmosphere of togetherness. I do find it hard to curate that in specific kinds of rooms. We have tried some things in the past to make it more of a communal experience. I definitely want to continue experimenting with how to make that happen. With this record specifically, that's what I dream of fostering for people who listen to it and for me. Definitely for people who come to the shows. We're going to try and bring in some local organizations if we can to connect audience members and give them something to do in the city they live in, and further their relationship with each other. As far as musically, I don’t know. I’m feeling a little intimidated by it, but I'm excited. We're going to try and get in those beeboops and sounds on that stage into people's ears that feels natural. Generally, I hope it's therapeutic and a moment of togetherness in a world that's making us feel like we don't have that anymore.
What song on the album are you most looking forward to experiencing with fans on tour? Is there a lyric you're excited to sing together?
Leith: I’m gonna go to "Alone" to sing together because of the big moment at the end. It's one phrase that repeats itself over and over again, then gets really loud. I'm hoping we can scream together a little bit and feel good about it. Also, "Point of View" because it's a feel-good love song, and I don't have many of those. To see people in love with each other in all ways and singing that together, will be really touching. "Grieving" is always a pretty special experience live, but also sometimes devastating. It feels good to share that with people.