Carly Rae Jepsen - Canadian Idol Success Story

Carly Rae Jepsen: A Canadian Idol Success Story



Inside Television 571
Publication Date: 9-23-11


As I start to write this, I’m listening to a peppy little number on YouTube titled Call Me Maybe. It’s absolutely infectious in a way that Nick Lowe once termed pure pop for now people. Completely enjoyable in the way that we all do secretly love those happy pop numbers that stick in your head like the phone number you had at university. Released this week on iTunes, Call Me Maybe is the first single off the new album by this week’s subject Carly Rae Jepsen.

I’m doubly delighted that the song should be a strong hit as I had already decided to interview Carly Rae before the song was released. You see, after I wrote last week’s column on The X Factor, I started to remember the 2007 season of Canadian Idol as the one season of any of the singing contest shows that I truly loved. The final three that year were the epitome of eclecticism. The capped Brian Melo won that year, largely based on a soul-shattering rendition of Radiohead’s Karma Police. (That, amazingly is not on YouTube.) Second place was a country singer named Jaydee Bixby, who was truly Porter Wagoner or Conway Twitty re-invented into a really cute blonde 17 year old boy whom in his politeness every parent in Canada prayed their daughter would bring home.

Then there was the one I was cheering for - Carly Rae, as you’ve probably guessed. It’s a difficult quality to describe, what her energy is. I’ve puzzled over the right words for a few minutes, which is unlike me. (I love writing, but I enjoy it more when things are actually completed.) I was thinking of effervesence, but I can be more precise. It was like a mimosa cocktail: the intoxicating nature of champagne - please not sparkling wine, because then you’re just pretending to be a healthy drunk - and the goodness and citric sweetness of orange juice. It really all came together for her on Idol when she sang Rickie Lee Jones’ Chuck E’s in Love. That someone 21 years old would reach back and find the under-appreciated Jones and then make the song into a smart, sophisticated yet still peppy cabaret performance absolutely sold me.

Carly Rae Jepsen today 

Because every living and working artist in the world now has a dedicated Facebook page, it was easy to find Carly Rae, to essentially ask, so how’s the career going? Is he able to make a living as a singer-songwriter?

‘This is my work . This also happens to be my passion, so I got lucky. I write a lot. Lyrics are my constant fascination and I've recently started writing for other artists as well. It's exciting to see what comes next with my new album. I've spent the last year in the studio so I'm dying to crawl out of that cave and start touring again. I can't wait to be honest.’

That does indicate a positive professionalism. For prior to working on what must be a luminescent studio tan, Carly Rae had been touring steadily from her Vancouver base. So naturally I had to ask about the just-released album.

‘The album is an exploration of sorts. It's about love. I titled it CURIOSITY for that reason. The grass is always greener. The bad boy is always softer than expected and the heart is ultimately not controllable. I centered the CD around these themes. Ryan Stewart, who produced most of TUG of WAR (her first album, released 2008) was my collaborator and producer once again. Josh Ramsay from Marianas Trench co-wrote and produced Call Me Maybe. Kevvy Mental had his part in Dear Julien and The Store. I'm am altogether very proud with how it turned out. The songs are honest pop. It will be fun to sing these songs live.’

And of course I had to ask about Idol. What is it like forming this quasi-family with other competitors while still being their, you know, competitor?

‘We sincerely liked each other. It was kind of like summer camp in a Mansion. We were all experiencing so many new things. The Mansion itself was intimidating. Indoor pools, basketball courts and movie theaters. Then there were the personal singing coaches, stylists and those ever looming TV cameras. We sort of clung to each other in the chaos of it all. We were truly sad when someone had to leave.’

Lastly, and after feeling truly happy that a favourite performer was going along well in life, I did the traditional thing that I do. I always offer interview subjects the final word to talk about whatever the heck they want to say about anything. Oftentimes it’s just a reiteration of what’s been already said,which is why you don’t read these a lot. But Carly Rae gives us her personal version of a Fodor’s Guide to Vancouver. What would you like to say to the readers? The space is yours. Here is the response:

Bonus round. Haha...ok. I'd like to share with you my favourite places to go in Vancouver . Next time you are here try:
1. Sweet Revenge for the best dessert in town
2. Salt in Blood Alley - they pair great wine and cheese. Heaven.
3. Dream Apparel in Gas Town for some amazing local designs. Her clothes are stunning.
4. Corduroy on Tuesday nights for some great live music. I've discovered some amazing hidden gems there !

I truly enjoyed contacting Carly Rae Jepsen and am pleased to report a good and positive story. It’s as refreshing as a mimosa. Be seeing you.