Barbra Lica is no stranger to accolades, having been nominated in two prestigious categories at the JUNO Awards: Solo Artist of the Year and Single of the Year. Hailing from Toronto, this singer-songwriter-producer has enchanted audiences across the globe, gracing renowned venues from the iconic Birdland in New York City to the illustrious Tokyo International Jazz Festival.
With her previous album, You’re Fine, Barbra has captivated listeners, accumulating over 5.7 million streams on Spotify alone.
With her latest endeavor, the self-produced EP titled Imposter Syndrome, she delves into themes of identity, grappling with the complexities of self-acceptance amidst a world in flux.
Barbra has garnered two nominations for the Canadian Folk Music Awards, including Solo Artist of the Year for Imposter Syndrome and Single of the Year, for her single, “In 40 Years.”
First off, care to introduce yourself to our readers?
My name is Barbra Lica. I’m a Toronto-born and bred singer-songwriter who’s been touring around the world for over a decade. My newest album (my sixth) is called “Imposter Syndrome” and I self-produced it in collaboration with some of my favourite Canadian producer-musicians including Nick Tateishi, James Bryan, Joel Visentin, Christine Bougie, and Drew Jurecka. I’m also passionate about running, advocating for musicians’ rights, cake, and my two-year-old son.
Congratulations on being nominated for the Canadian Folk Music Awards. How does it feel to be recognized among such a talented pool of Canadian folk musicians?
It’s awesome. It’s something that I really wanted after falling in love with folk music a little late in my career. I actually started out as a straight-ahead jazz musician, but ever since my writing trip to Nashville in 2016, I’ve been obsessed with getting into the folk kids’ club…and here we are! I’m finally folk enough! Even cynical me is taking a moment to enjoy a goal officially realized.
What inspired your latest works or albums that brought you to be nominated for the CFMAs?
All the songs on “Imposter Syndrome” are about not fitting in or struggling with my sense of self in some capacity. I’ve always felt too jazz for folk, too folk for jazz, too nerdy and socially awkward for a career in music in general… Writing this album was an exercise in accepting myself exactly as I am, be it a musician, a partner, a daughter, or a friend. I just let myself borrow from any and every genre and not care about anything beyond the stories I had to tell. I think the richness of the stories is what drew me to folk music in the first place.
CFMA president Graham Lindsey mentioned that the CFMAs are an important moment for Canada’s folk music community to celebrate outstanding talent. How has the folk music community shaped your journey as musicians, and what does this recognition mean to you in that context?
The folk community has been incredibly warm and welcoming. There’s been no shortage of folk musicians either reaching out to collaborate or inviting me to share stages with them. I’m just learning so much all the time and feeling more confident in my songwriting by the day. I feel like this recognition helps legitimize the path I’ve been on and intend to keep taking for as long as I can.
With the CFMA Awards Weekend taking place in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, what are you most looking forward to during this celebration of folk music?
I’m most looking forward to playing on stage with my wonderful band on Saturday night – Will Fisher (drums), Tom Fleming (guitar), and Mark Godfrey (bass), with a special shout out to Joel Visentin (piano) who’s on paternity leave at home. I’m never tired of playing with them even after ten years and I can’t stress enough how this nomination is for all of us. They’ve been the first people to hear all my songs and approach whatever I write with kindness and an openness to make magic. I’m so incredibly lucky to play with these guys and show them off at the CFMAs.
Lastly, what advice would you give to aspiring folk musicians who hope to one day be recognized on a platform like the Canadian Folk Music Awards?
That’s a tough one. I’d say: live a balanced life. Music is a powerful tool that we can use to express ourselves and build connections, but it’s a tough career and it can’t be allowed to define anyone as a person. There are so many musicians who think they’re never allowed to have a family or go on vacation or just…age! This year I started taking wood-working classes so I can build silly things for my kid. The less I stress and the more I let my hair down – it’s short, but you know what I mean – the less burned out and more inspired I am. You get to decide for yourself what a career in music looks like for you.