Every year, CBC Radio 3 gives a Lifetime Achievement Award to a band or artist that is a true pioneer of the Canadian indie music scene — someone who has paved the way for artists to come. Leslie Feist fits the bill perfectly, as an artist who continues to inspire, support and contribute to the world of Canadian music.
We had the chance to congratulate and interview Feist this week. Click through the gallery above to hear what she had to say about her life, career and collaborators.
Though she may now be a household name, Feist's musical resumé started back in Calgary with her high school punk band Placebo. She quickly became part of the Toronto scene after moving there in 1996, playing bass with hHead side project Noah’s Arkweld, performing and touring with then roommate Peaches and also playing guitar for By Divine Right. Her debut solo album, Monarch (Lay Your Jewelled Head Down), was released in 1999.
As the '90s came to a close, Toronto had a new collective that was about to launch: Broken Social Scene. While putting together her second album, Let It Die, Feist also joined BSS, contributing to their debut and critically acclaimed album You Forgot it in People.
And to think, all of this happened before the release of The Reminder.
In 2007, Feist worked her way into our collective hearts with a sparkly blue jumpsuit and joyous choreography in her music video featured in an iPod commercial — the launchpad for the much loved and inescapable “1,2,3,4.” Her third album, The Reminder, was an international hit. She was nominated for four Grammys, two Brit Awards and picked up five Junos. From Sesame Street to Stephen Colbert, Feist was everywhere.
Four years and hundreds of performances later, the followup, Metals, was released in 2011. It garnered Feist more critical acclaim, debuting at number seven on the U.S. charts and winning the 2012 Polaris Music Prize. Though many expected another sparkly hit like “1,2,3,4,” Feist's impeccable writing and attention to detail is what shines on this stunning record.
Many shows, projects, films and even a new side project, Hydra, have been part of the last few years of Feist’s life. As we celebrate her past works and contributions to Canadian music, we can’t wait to see what’s next.
We had the chance to congratulate and interview Feist this week. Click through the gallery to hear what she had to say about her life, career and collaborators.
Congratulations, Leslie Feist, on being named CBC Radio 3’s Lifetime Achievement Award winner of 2014!
What has been your favourite Feist moment? Let us know in the comments below or tweet us @cbcradio3.
Listen to hosts Alanna Stuart, Grant Lawrence and Lana Gay celebrate Feist today on CBC Radio 3.
