Whether contributing to The New Pornographers’ grandiose sound or to the pop vibes of Immaculate Machine (prior to her departure in 2008), Kathryn Calder has established herself as a capable and eclectic musician whose talent for adaptability and penchant for diversity has never been more prevalent than on her 2010 solo debut, Are You My Mother?

A professional musician since her teenage years, Calder – the newest member of The New Pornographers – has recorded several critically-acclaimed albums between the two bands and toured with them extensively, having played at festivals like Glastonbury and Coachella, as well as earning accolades for her seamless transition between vocals, keyboards and accordion onstage.

However, regardless of her impressive musical resume, it’s the work on her solo endeavour that will undoubtedly grab the attention of listeners and cement Calder as a Canadian indie force.  Recorded in Victoria while caring for her terminally ill mother, Are You My Mother? is an earnest testament to the unpredictability of life, as well as to the paths anyone can take and to the valuable lessons learned along the way.

Delicate, meaningful and multi-textual, emotion seeps through each song as Calder’s soft yet strong voice carries listeners on journey of self-discovery, using tracks like Slip Away and If You Only Knew to unapologetically showcase the songstress’ ability to combine vocals and instruments with narrative and symbolism.

Having used Kleenex boxes, filing cabinets and a high school trumpet to create sounds unique to an album that already stands alone, Calder has proven that despite moments of relatively heavy subject matter, her goal as a musician is to create meaningful art that boasts multi-dimension and longevity.  Raising the bar for musicians hoping to branch out and launch their own solo careers, Calder also shows that records can be personal yet relatable, and while each album is a testament to the artist and their personal saga, it is still possible for listeners to be pulled in and embraced by song.

Get more on Kathyrn Calder at CBC Radio 3 and Exclaim.