A voice emerges from British Columbia, raw and treacle-dipped. It belongs to a singer who commands attention not with flash, but with unflinching honesty. Her songs delve into life’s heaviest moments.
She blends cabaret elegance with rock ambition. This creates a unique sound, an alternative crooner style that defies simple categories. Her music carries a spooky, atmospheric weight.
Her artistic lineage runs deep in Canadian rock. Yet she carved her own path, founding a solo career in 2011. She writes with a purpose that is both vulnerable and empowered.
Her discography explores themes of heartbreak, assault, and chronic illness. It is a catalog of catharsis, from early EPs to her latest album, “Set The Fire”. This artist sings with her heart, offering truth in an era of overproduced perfection.
Kandle Osborne: Musical Beginnings and Influences
Her musical journey began not on a stage, but through the speakers in her room. She discovered a deep love for music by studying the greats. The fierce voices of Billie Holiday, Nancy Sinatra, and Shirley Bassey became her teachers.
Early Life and Initial Passion for Music
Billie Holiday stood as her primary early influence. The musician’s honest delivery offered a blueprint for vulnerability in song. This emotional depth shaped her approach to writing her own songs.
She formed her first band, The Blue Violets, with her sister and a close friend. It was here she truly fell in love with songwriting. She also faced down her stage fright, building a foundation for her solo career.
Influences from Billie Holiday, Nancy Sinatra, and More
A pivotal moment arrived in 2010. She met musician and photographer Sam Goldberg Jr. She agreed to his request for press photos on one condition—he had to play on her tracks.
This negotiation showed her clarity about collaboration. It led to a move to Montreal and the formation of her backing band, The Krooks. These early experiences taught her to sing exclusively from the heart.
Her influences expanded to include Radiohead and Kurt Cobain. This created a sonic palette spanning generations and genres. Her songs are grounded in real life, setting her apart in modern music.
Capturing the Pandemic: Studio Life and Album Creation
The studio doors closed behind them just as the world outside began shutting down. What was meant to be a standard recording session became a creative quarantine. Four people entered Hipposonic Music studio on March 7, 2020, unaware they wouldn’t leave for weeks.
They formed a tight-knit “quaranteam” dedicated to the music. The outside world faded as they worked 14-hour days and nights. The studio became both refuge and prison.
Recording Challenges and Quarantine Experiences
Living arrangements tested their resilience. Kandle and producer Michael Rendall stayed in her uncle’s basement. They were banned from the kitchen upstairs, texting for food like teenagers.
Cleaning supplies ran out early in the session. They used Pine Sol for everything, developing rashes on their hands. Yet no ego or drama emerged among the team.
Instead, they found mutual support through the long studio days. When someone felt down, others lifted them up. They danced between takes, making music their beacon of light.
The Making of “Set The Fire” and New Singles
The session ended when food ran out and reality intruded. Dave “Rave” Ogilvie’s car was broken into, signaling it was time to leave. Everyone looked watery-eyed, knowing they’d created something special.
They mixed the album immediately instead of waiting months. The mastering engineer worked quarantined upstairs, asking daily if it was ready. This urgency resulted in the single “How Can You Hurt Me” releasing April 16, 2020.
Kandle returned to her parents’ home in Victoria to isolate. Her parents slid food under her door while she recovered. She called it the best album she’d ever made, born from unprecedented circumstances.
From Stage to Studio: Embracing the Creative Process
Before the lights hit and the crowd waits, a unique preparation unfolds backstage. Her ritual is an honest map of nerves and release. It has evolved from simple immersion to a full-body reset.
Live Show Rituals and the Art of Performance
Earlier in her career, preparation meant a hotel bathtub. She would submerge herself, singing along to Portishead and Lana Del Rey until the last possible second. Those dark, sultry voices helped prepare her own.
Today, the process is more physical and layered. It begins with acknowledging pre-show anxiety. She then moves to boxing, burning off the nervous energy.
- A private soul dance party finds the right emotional tone.
- Silly vocal warm-ups loosen her instrument for the night.
- A shot of bourbon for courage, followed by Pepto-Bismol for her stomach.
Then it’s time to walk onto the stage. No glamour, just honest preparation.
Despite this dedication to the stage, her true love lives in the studio. She admits she would never leave if she didn’t have to. That’s where the song truly begins.
Her favorite venue is Montreal’s Théâtre Fairmount. It holds many memories, both from her own performances and watching others. The space feels like a second home.
This cinematic approach extends to her video work. She created a visual album for “Set The Fire.” Recent singles like “Cathedral” and “Live A Lie” continue this tradition. Each new single is a piece of a larger, atmospheric story.
Reflections on a Journey of Passion and Resilience
Her creative life unfolds at night, a natural rhythm for an artist drawn to shadows and raw emotion. This self-proclaimed night owl finds inspiration when the city sleeps. Her current favourite musician is Nick Cave, an artist who shares her literary depth.
Montreal fuels her spirit. She walks Saint Laurent street, a place where you can find friends and venues. Bernard street holds the memory of her first love for the city.
Jarry Park offers a quiet space for writing songs and watching dogs play. She enjoys food at Le Vieux Vélo and performs her rock music at the Théâtre Fairmount venue. For records, she visits Cheap Thrills, a trusted name in music.
An upcoming album for spring 2024 marks a new chapter. It is self-produced, showing full creative control. Follow her journey on social media for the latest video and music releases.
