I am the Platypus: an interview with Chris Derksen at Utopia Festival
KM: Why is it important to celebrate women in electronic music with events like the Utopia Festival?
Cris Derksen: I think it's important to celebrate all woman in music, I find the female perspective often gets deeper in artistic emotion then guys usually allow themselves to go. It's also super important to inspire the younger generation of women in music as it's not the easiest job in the world, but you can find so much strength and satisfaction and self- gratification = self esteem in creating something new.
KM: How did you get your start in. the music industry, and who were your mentors along the way?
Cris Derksen: I got my start rather early in music, I started piano when I was five, cello when I was ten. As far as the "music industry" goes, I started really running my career when I moved from Alberta to Vancouver about eight years ago. It started small, busking for a living. But I'm a lucky one, I quickly moved to performing at the Commodore with a Led Zeppelin cover band six months after I moved here. I finished my BMUS in Cello Performance from UBC and was really really fortunate to have found a few different musical partners. Working with Tanya Tagaq gave me a lot of opportunities, and I'm very grateful for our time together. I had a few cello teachers monumental in my desire to be a cellist for a living. Also Rae Spoon gave me a good stern talking to when I was twenty about how I needed move to Vancouver and be musician. He kinda showed me how it was possible.
KM: Can you give new listeners a feel for what you do?
Cris Derksen: I'm kinda like a jeweller, I take pretty little stones and create something original for you to hold close to your heart. If my music was an exotic animal it would be a platypus, it's kind of a little bit of everything all in one cute package. [You can hear Cris on her website: www.crisderksen.com]
KM: How do you define creative success? Can you name a song or project of yours that you are proud of?
Cris Derksen: Creative success for me is being able to remember a song the next day, or week. I am constantly composing, and I only remember the song if it's good. I think it's really important to keep evolving musically and technically at what you do, so playing with different players is a really good idea. And doing something that challenges you is also creative success, just by the simple fact of having done it. Working with Tagaq, My Band e.s.l. Performing with Kanye West. I'm also stoked how well my solo project is going!
KM: What kind of challenges do you face as an artist (creative blocks, not enough time, etc) and what is it about your work that keeps you motivated at these moments?
Cris Derksen: It's my full time job to perform, so I do have time, I treat it like my day job and I practice in the daytime when people work. Challenges? There are a ton in this industry. I think the most challenging part for me is being organized enough to book myself six months in advance. Writing grants is challenging, but really helpful to organize your goals. Another challenge which is harder for me to deal with is dealing with my own ego and emotions. Some days I don't feel like being in front of anyone, I just want to stay in my PJs and call it a da., So being able to put all your personal emotions at the door and perform like it's the first time.
KM: What's coming up next for you as an artist -- where can our readers see you live?
Cris Derksen: I have a super busy summer coming up, one of my busiest! I've got a week in Paris with a Native collaboration called "BeatNation", that I'm really excited for. Then I'm performing at six festivals out of eight weekends this summer. Not all solo, I've got three festivals with a band that I'm a founding member of called e.s.l. (Polish chamber-folk) one festival with a band called Lightening Dust (members of Black Mountain), and three festivals of my solo stuff. I know that adds up to seven festivals...but e.s.l. and Cris Derksen are both performing at the same festival.