Carsie Blanton is a songwriter with hooks, chutzpah, and revolutionary optimism.
“It is possible to face the world as it is – rapidly heating, ruled by grifters, ravaged by profitable wars – and still have hope,” she says of her latest release, After the Revolution. “Not the narrow, grasping hope you might hang on an election or a billionaire, but a patient, zoomed-out hope.”
Blanton’s ninth full-length album draws from her many influences. Tracks like “My Good Friends” evoke her childhood in Appalachia, while “Ain’t We Got Fun” showcases a musical roux earned from a decade spent in New Orleans. The title track, a hard-rocking protest anthem, shows that her commitment to the good fight need not obscure her considerable acumen as a writer and musician.
Carsie Blanton plays Stan Rogers Folk Festival in Canso, Nova Scotia through the weekend of July 25-28, 2024.
What does it mean to you to perform at the Stan Rogers Folk Festival, a festival known for its dedication to celebrating songwriters?
I’m very pleased to be welcomed into the Canadian songwriting community!
As part of a festival that honors the legacy of Stan Rogers, how do you incorporate
storytelling into your performances to connect with the audience on a deeper level?
Storytelling is a big part of my work, both as a writer and a performer. I love “setting up a song” on stage, I think of it as making a little joke where the song is the punchline.
What new projects or upcoming releases are you working on, and will Stanfest attendees get a preview of any new material during your set?
I’ve got a new release, After the Revolution, which we’ll be doing quite a few songs from!
Collaboration is a big part of the folk music tradition. Are there any artists on this year’s lineup that you’re particularly excited to collaborate with or watch perform?
Luke Wallace! We met at a party one time and I loved his protest songs.