Canadian roots singer Amelia Curran for show in Monroe’s

Award-winning Canadian songwriter Amelia Curran returns to Monroe’s Live on Friday, October 18.  The singer’s 2009 album, Hunter received a 2010 Juno award (Canada’s equivalent to the Grammys) for Roots and Traditional Album of The Year.

“That was delightful,” she says. “I had never won an award before, and it means a lot to me. I think it changed management’s job more than my own; it’s something you stick on the résumé. It’s something that helps for that second glance.”

Last year, Amelia released her sixth studio album, Spectators. It was recorded between St John’s, Newfoundland, and Toronto. What was the reason behind the juggling of locations?

“I’m from St John’s and I had just moved back when we started working on the album,” Amelia explains. “I think I was so delighted to be home I couldn’t really work! And I needed some fresh ears, and [producer] John Critchley was in Toronto. We had never worked together before, and I just dove in.”

As well as being a singer, Amelia is also a playwright. Although music takes up most of her time these days, she may return to that discipline in the future.

“For writing a play, I need kind of a boring life!” she laughs.  “To be able to sit down and be chained to the desk, as they say.  I write a lot of poetry and stories that are slowly developing into other things. I’ve no particular goal for that work, but it’s something I can’t help doing. Songs are one medium of writing, and I love to write.”

Doors for her Monroe’s show are at 9pm, admission is €10.