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EDLC artist in residence asks for help collecting labour songs Maria Dunn is currently doing a songwriting and song-collecting project in conjunction with the Edmonton & District Labour Council (and with financial assistance from AFA) on the history of working people in Alberta. Part of the project is to assemble and present a workshop on existing songs that have been written about Alberta working people (historical or contemporary). Obviously there is a vast body of labour songs (Hazel Dickens and Utah Phillips spring to mind!) about other parts of the world and Canada, but she is focussing on Alberta in particular. If you know of an artist, song or recording that seems relevant, she would greatly appreciate an e-mail or phone call (780-430-8560) letting her know about the material. At the end of the project, Maria hopes to have a bibliography of the songs and would be happy to make it available to anyone interested. Maria is also interested in songs from any musical genre and the songs don’t necessarily have to be about particular events (strikes or disasters), they can also be about day-to-day experiences and struggles. Songs about farmers, restaurant workers, hospital workers, teachers, construction workers, homemakers—you name it, she's interested! Her goal is to find out what exists and then begin looking at stories to write new songs about. If you can help drop her a quick line at: Distant Whisper Music |