R.I.P. Kate McGarrigle

Eleven years ago, Edmonton music fans were lucky to see folk singers Kate and Anna McGarrigle, plus Kate's children -- Rufus and Martha Wainwright -- perform at the Folk Fest.

Kate, 63 , died on Monday, Jan. 18 after a battle with cancer.

Here is an interview with Martha, from 1999, about her mom, music and family:

Martha dips her toes into Folk Fest limelight with an open heart
Edmonton Journal
Mon Aug 9 1999
Page: C2
Section: Entertainment
Byline: Sandra Sperounes, Journal Music Writer
Dateline: Edmonton
Source: The Edmonton Journal

Martha Wainwright thinks the Folk Fest is a great place to fall in love.

The singer remembers going ga-ga for an accordion player in 1992 and she's been looking out for prospects this weekend.

Love and broken hearts are two of Martha's favourite song-writing topics. Then again, her mom and aunt, Kate and Anna McGarrigle also tread over those subjects in their tunes. So does Martha's older brother, Rufus. (As for their father ... well, let's just say Loudon Wainwright III is too cynical to sing traditional love songs.)

Until recently, Martha has been content to keep her toes out of the limelight. But after years of singing back-up for the McGarrigles and Rufus, Martha is slowly coming into her own. Rufus even wrote a song encouraging her to step out of the shadows.

Don't expect Martha to be a carbon copy of the McGarrigles, though. The 23-year-old sounds more like a cross between Billie Holliday and Edie Brickell than a pair of folkies.

Martha almost didn't make it to this year's festival. Minutes out of Toronto, the airplane she was flying in started losing fuel. The plane then had to make an emergency landing after dumping more fuel in Lake Ontario.

Thankfully, Martha arrived in time to perform solo and with her family on Saturday. The Journal managed to lure her away for a few minutes.

Q: When did you know that music was going to be your life?

A: I think in the back of my mind it was always a given. But as a teenager, I didn't want to do it. I wanted to be an actress. I studied art history. But I think I had to take a shot at it and if I didn't, I think I would've felt like an idiot.

Q: What was it like growing up in such a musical family?

A: I had a great time. It was really a happy, happy life. Kids love going backstage, staying up late and going to clubs to see musicians. And it was very exciting to have a mom that worked and was so strong.

Q: What do you remember from your childhood?

A: A lot of memories of being in the house (in Montreal) and being around music and being around adults. My mom had a four-track in the basement and her boyfriend was her bass player, so they'd do these crazy recordings.

Q: Does your heritage make it easier for your career?

A: It definitely makes it easier to get your foot in the door and people know who you are and take you somewhat seriously right off the bat. Although they expect something a lot folkier and I think some are pleasantly surprised.

But that's okay, because I'm not looking for the same type of career. It's a different time.

Q: Your songs seem very autobiographical.

A: They're all really autobiographical, mostly about love. What else does a 23-year-old girl think about?

Q: That subject seems to be a trend in the family. Why?

A: I think because we all have broken hearts. We're all really emotional, guided by some sort of mystical vision of true love.

Q: What's your idea of true love?

A: Maybe it comes from all those crazy love songs where they're killing each other because they can't be together. But I'm definitely getting more realistic about the whole thing. I've already gone through two or three heartbreaks.

Q: Are you going to fall in love this weekend?

A: I hope so. These are the times when you get to spend three days with other musicians, so love can flourish in three days. But then they usually end up living half-way across the world -- so it doesn't make for very good relationships.