A Victory for Musician Geoff Berner

Canadian singer-songwriter Geoff Berner is best known for his insightful humour, outrageous stage show and political themes. He has established quite a loyal following throughout Canada and Norway, where he recorded his first live album, Live in Oslo (2004).

Although Berner studied piano in his youth, his primary instrument is the accordion. After fronting punk rock band, Terror of Tiny Town, Berner released his first solo album entitled Light Enough to Travel in 2000. The title track was covered by popular Vancouver band, The Be Good Tanyas, which provided Berner a much-needed kick-start to his career.

Now, more than 10 years later, fans worldwide adore Berner’s unique fusion of Klezmer, punk and folk. He is currently on tour with his latest album, Victory Party, released through Mint Records.

I caught up with Geoff earlier today to discuss his inspirations, collaborations and his new album.

AB (Ashley Baylen): Before we start discussing your new album, what’s your story? Where were you raised and how were you first introduced to music?

GB (Geoff Berner) :I was born and raised in Vancouver, BC, and I live there still, which is an amazing thing for a musician because it’s become insanely expensive there. I first learned to play piano when I was a teenager, and started singing and playing in punk-type bands there.

AB: There are strong Klezmer influences in your music. Were you raised in a religious household? Did you grow up listening to this style of music?

GB: I went to Hebrew School after school and on weekends, and had my bar mitzvah and everything. I heard sacred Jewish music, some Klezmer, and some Israeli folk music. But it wasn’t a major focus of my musical life. We had folk music records like the Kingston Trio and Peter Paul and Mary at home when I was a kid. Later I got into Woody Guthrie through finding out about Bob Dylan, then it was a natural step into punk rock. But I’ve always had eclectic tastes.

AB: Who are some of your influences?

GB: My biggest influence is a Klezmer band called Di Naye Kapelye. Other songwriting influences are people like Billy Bragg, Michelle Shocked, Shane McGowan, Woody Guthrie and Joni Mitchell. I like good, sharp lyrics. Michael Gordin is my favourite of the yiddish songwriting poets.

AB: How would you describe Victory Party?

GB: It’s a desperate, ambivalent, bloody-minded celebration.

AB: I’ve heard your live shows can get quite crazy. What is it about you or your music that elicits this response from the audience?

GB: I don’t know. I guess I just try for some kind of sense of release.

AB: Can you tell us something about yourself we might be surprised to hear?

GB: I sold sketches I wrote for Sesame Street when I was in university.

AB: When you’re not working on your music, what might we find you doing?

GB: Recovering.

AB: If you could record an album or perform a duet with anyone, who would you choose?

GB: I would just like to be able to play more with the people I play with now. Diona Davies, Wayne Adams, Brigitte Dajczer, Michael Winograd, Benji Fox-Rosen and more, more, more with Josh Dolgin.

AB: Tell us about your current tour. Will you be coming to Toronto?

GB: I’m playing seven countries in six weeks. We are playing the TRANZAC club in Toronto with the full Victory Party band. Rae Spoon and Briga are sharing the bill. I think that it’s likely to sell out. It’s going to be kind of packed and insane. I can’t wait.

Check out Geoff’s new album and tour schedule at www.geoffberner.com or
www.myspace.com/geoffberner