For Nova Scotia’s fresh-faced pop-folkie, Mo Kenney, the time is now to venture into new territories and play the music that has culminated through a multitude of influences.
The 22-year-old songstress is well on her way to a whirlwind fall season, as she begins to tour her debut album, accompanied by fellow musician, mentor and producer, Joel Plaskett.
Kenney will be opening for Plaskett Sept. 29 at the Cochrane Alliance Church, ringing in the 12th season for the Cochrane Valley Folk Club (CVFC).
Armed with 10 tracks of wrought emotion enveloped in melancholy, Kenney is intent on developing her craft, as well as breaking out of her shell.
“I’ve always been a shy person, so being in front of people and having to be the centre of attention was hard at first,” admitted Kenney.
“I started playing live around 16. I used to be terrified to sing in front of anybody, but that changed when I put a band together and had to sing in front of people.”
Admitting that there is no other career path she could imagine other than music, Kenney said she feels confident about having the opportunity to work with music man and producer Plaskett. Her album is a joint venture release between Plaskett’s label, New Scotland Records and Toronto label, Pheromone Recordings.
“I’ve been listening to his (Joel’s) music since I was a young teenager, so it’s kind of surreal,” she said. “We chipped away at the album whenever he had time.”
A year in the works, Kenney is ready and able to walk through the doors with a little piece of herself wrapped up in plastic — something which will be taking her as far as Iceland for a spot at the Airwaves Festival in Reykjavik this fall.
To get tickets to see Plaskett and Kenney, visit cochranefolkclub.com or stop by Cochrane Coffee Traders or Phantoms Music.
