You can catch Aspen Switzer in Kelowna on September 11th as part of the Lillith Fair Almost Theatre event at the Kelowna Community Theatre.  Winner of 2009 BC Interior Music Awards for Roots/World Recording of the Year & Best Folk/Traditional Recording of the Year, I asked her a few questions about the upcoming BreakOut West festival.

Did you apply to the BreakOut West festival in Kelowna?

Yes

What new oppurtunities do you think this may have for your band?

BreakOut West provides a significant opportunity to reach new audience members, broaden market appeal and present my music to national and international industry representatives.  One of my goals in 2011 is to focus on strengthening my market presence in western Canada and this event is also very well attended by presenters from Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and of course the host province BC.

What are some of the biggest changes you’ve seen in the music scene in the BC Interior in the last few years?

Hard to say.  I have found the recent awards for my latest album, ‘humble but bearing no apology’  to open up doors to me to venues in the interior.  Also the touring I have been doing since the release of the Album (Nov 2008), playing at Salmon Arm’s Root’s and Blues Festival and other great events have all helped introduce my music to new markets. It seems the music scene in the BC Interior is constantly evolving, not unlike my career.

Have you noticed if more venues are opening their doors for local artists to play shows around Kelowna or Nelson?

Hmmm. . . Nelson has had a few changes.  The Royal is working really hard to create a great space for live music since it’s change in ownership last November.  They are a great place for Nelsonites, interior bands and bands from afar.  Even the Spirit Bar, which has been mostly DJ’s in the past, is hosting more and more live bands. There is an old church called, “The Blue Church” that is now a home and has opened it’s doors to a few very successful house concerts.  It seems like there are a lot of places really trying to fill the venue need for Nelson.  It is still kinda a hard place for up and comers from out of town as there is so much going on all the time it can be tough to attract a crowd if you don’t have pretty decent name recognition.

As for Kelowna, I love the opportunities to play at the Community Theater and Kelowna Music fest and am always looking for new venues and events.