Late bloomer
photo by Brian Goldschmied
Local folk-pop songstress makes her Ottawa debut
RELEASING AN ALBUM has been a lifelong process for Ottawa singer-songwriter Jill Zmud. Originally from Saskatchewan, the folk-pop musician says music has always been in her heart. But even with her soothing, jazzy voice and obvious talent for melodic writing, it took Zmud until her mid-twenties to pick up a guitar and realize where she really belonged.
“There was a creative void,” explained Zmud. “I think my brother noticed before me, [so] he bought me a guitar. I was in my twenties when I started to learn guitar and over the years it became more important.”
Drawing inspiration from renowned lyricist Leonard Cohen as well as a plethora of various female vocalists, Zmud has been inspired by music her whole life. Now, after a few years of practice getting her sound right—and a few months of recording and editing—Zmud is about to make her official debut on the Canadian music scene with the release of her album, As We Quietly Drive By.
“It feels exciting and terrifying at the same time,” said Zmud about preparing to release her first full-length recording on Nov. 15. “People are thrilled that I have finally made a record, [and] I have wanted to for a long time.”
Zmud completed an undergraduate degree in international affairs and, after moving to Ottawa to finish her master’s degree and begin work, she found that her field did not offer the creative freedom she was looking for.
“I went to Toronto and back to Saskatchewan to try and get my bearings—figure out if it was music or international affairs,” said Zmud. “In my heart, it has always been music.”
Despite the vast difference between her two major passions, Zmud has not experienced the grief of trying to choose one love over the other. While most of her focus has been on her music as of late, she is still able to make time to work four days a week in her field.
“I’m grateful for the fact that I have work, but it’s definitely a juggling act,” explained Zmud. An independent artist, Zmud has tried to do most of the preparation for her upcoming release herself. She explains that advice from producer Dave Draves has helped her keep the right perspective.
“[When you’re a] new artist, [the focus] is just to create a new sound—to reflect on what makes [you] outside the artist box,” recounted Zmud.
Zmud feels that it is her writing that makes her music what it is. The album is comprised of a collection of stories, both literal and symbolic, that reflect formative experiences in her life and in the lives of those close to her. In the tradition of Canadian folk writing, Zmud takes these stories and writes her music revolving on her own interpretation of the events. Her song “Shark,” which, on the surface, is a story of a bank heist, in fact reflects on an emotional experience which Zmud termed a sort of robbery. Zmud’s penchant for metaphoric interpretation is what makes her songwriting truly stand out.
“I am reluctant to be explicit [when writing],” said Zmud. “I feel that ambiguity lets people create their own stories around the song.”
Zmud is hopeful about her new release, and level headed about the direction it will take her in. While she agrees that signing on with a label would be a great experience, for now, she is content with where she is.
“Everyone has a dream, but I feel like there are so many steps I have to go through first,” said Zmud. “I just need to make it to the release and get exposure.”
Jill Zmud’s album release party will take place Nov. 15 at The Blacksheep Inn in Wakefield, Que. Admission for the all-ages event is $7.
