Fefe Dobson | Youthink
Image credit:  Universal Music | Toronto's Fefe Dobson returns with new album titled "Joy."

Fefe Dobson Shares Her Story of Joy

by Melissa Lachica - St. Patrick Regional Secondary, Vancouver BC May 12, 2011

Fefe Dobson talks about her new album and how time away from the spotlight helped her grow.

Fefe Dobson caught the ears of listeners in 2003 with the release of her self-titled debut album, which was nominated for two Juno Awards. Quickly making a name for herself, Dobson got right to work on her second album (Sunday Love), but due to creative differences with her record label at the time, the album was recorded but never released.
 
Determined to keep her career moving in the right direction, Dobson switched her focus to songwriting and working on her next project. Now, seven years since her debut, the Toronto native is back in the spotlight with her new album, Joy. Youthink caught up with Dobson over the phone to discuss how she has grown during these past seven years and how reconnecting with her father impacted her personally and musically.
 
YT: Some are calling Joy a comeback record. Would you define it in the same way?
FD: I’ve been away for four years making the record. During that time, I was behind the scenes. I did some writing for some other artists and I kept around. But I didn’t do any shows, I was more in the studios writing. I didn’t try to take up a different career, I was in the industry. I’m from Canada, that “comeback” stuff came from the U.S., because I wasn’t really around the U.S. that much. I also hid. I didn’t want to go out and go to events and party because I was so focused on making a record.
 
YT: I read that you took time between albums to find yourself musically. Can you tell me a little bit more about that journey?
FD: When you separate from your label, you have two ways to go: you either fall apart, give it up, or keep going and pull through. There were never moments I wanted to give up music, but there were moments I was depressed. I had no label, and I didn’t know which way to go or where to turn. But there came a day when I said, “I’m going to start this album. I’m going to do this on my own.” I didn’t get studio time. That’s a lot of how the growth came – a fall, and getting back up. Music was changing in front of my eyes, radio hardly played rock anymore so I tried to find a medium of where I fit in. But I didn’t want to fit in. I just made music and tried not to listen to the hottest stuff out there because I was afraid that I would copy it.
 
YT: The songs on Joy range from a pop-techno vibe to a rock sound. Was the plan to give your fans a little bit of everything?
FD: My plan was to give them as much of "me" as I could. I really wanted to show the true sides of myself. I felt like the album is literally split in two, like me. So I wanted to express that.
 
YT: This album appears to be a truer reflection of who you are as an artist. How was writing and recording this album different than your previous work?
FD: I was seventeen writing my debut album. Everything, the whole process was made. I didn`t know how to talk about production, or I had ideas and I didn’t know how to communicate them or how to express them. Now I can go in and I can keep my ideas, get my point across and have my vision.
 
YT: You recently reconnected with your father. How has this reunion impacted you?
FD: There was a song called Unforgiven and that was about my dad and not having him around the first time I kissed a boy, and not having him around when I rode a bike. Now we’ve been rekindled. It definitely healed a big part of me that I never even knew was wounded. My mom`s white my dad`s black. My dad’s Jamaican and I never really understood that side of my roots. Now he’s part of my life and I’m learning about Jamaican dishes and family members. All these things have really healed me, and that’s a big reason why my album is named Joy. [It’s] the joy from these experiences and the joy from the liberation and being able to make this album after thinking, “I don’t know where my next step is gonna take me.” 
 
YT: You are on Twitter and Facebook quite a bit. Is it difficult finding time to stay connected with your fans?
FD: Tweeting is really easy for me because I can do that on my cellphone. I can just tweet away, post photos. I’m starting to enjoy it more because I love hearing responses and people writing back and what they think about things. I’m enjoying that interaction.
 
YT: How did you get involved with the PUMA 2011 Women’s Soccer Launch Event?
FD: It was just a good pair: doing something with women who are very strong and can do anything. They’re just really inspiring. I grew up with a single mom who inspired me every day that she could be strong and get through things on her own. We felt like Watch Me Move was the perfect song for the Puma commercial with Women’s World Soccer because it’s about confidence, and the song matched the campaign.
 
YT: In honour of your new album, what would bring you the most joy.  Success in music or success in love?
FD: Love inspires my music, and vice versa. I couldn’t choose between the two, I need them both.
 
YT: How would you like to see your music career develop in the next couple of years?
FD: Keep making records. Arenas. Awards. I want to be rockin’ until I can’t move anymore.
 
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