Sass Jordan Discusses Her Life, Career, And New Record

The Juno award winning rock musician Sass Jordan has come a long way since her early days of music making, with an off-Broadway roll playing rock legend Janis Joplin and her more recent gig as a judge on Canadian Idol. Now another studio album is under her belt to add to her musical repertoire, entitled "From Dusk Til Dawn".

Today, we catch up with Sass to discuss her career, Canadian Idol and her new album.

When did you first realize that you wanted to be a professional rock musician?
That happened when I first became aware that there WAS such a thing .. so back in the '70's ...

What was your first 'big break'?
There was no 'big break' in particular, but I do remember opening for the Pretenders and being really thrilled about that!

In the rock and roll world, you must have been surrounded by men. Were you ever intimidated as a female rock musician?
No, I'd say it is more the other way around ... but there's nothing like exhaustion and riding in step-vans and eating crappy food to even out the playing field - you become more aware of each other as personalities than genders at that point. You're all in it together.

Have you seen the rock industry change over the years since you first started performing?
I don't think there is any industry that doesn't change over the years, so, yes - it's changed a lot.

What was your experience like playing Janis Joplin in the off-Broadway play "Love, Janis"?
It was incredible - incredibly difficult and a whole lot of fun - I learned how to sing properly doing that show - I rarely lose my voice anymore.

Are there any more plans for acting in the near or distant future?
Not that I am currently considering - acting is something I just fell into, not a specific goal for me. I don't consider myself an actor - just a singer who has acted!

What prompted your decision to join the judging panel on Canadian Idol? What was that like?
I started out doing it for the money and ended up doing it for the fun - also the lure of something I had never done before .. It was crazy, amazing and one of the most demanding, albeit hilarious, things I have ever experienced.

Your new album "From Dusk Til Dawn" is in stores now, how would you describe it in comparison to your previous records?
It's another snapshot of life - what was going on in my life on a creative level when I wrote the songs - as are all my songs. People often ask where the inspiration comes from .. it comes from events and circumstances that one finds oneself in throughout the course of your life - observations and experiences.

Are there any musicians you still hope to share the stage with someday?
There are probably too many to mention here .. but off the bat I would say Dr. John, John Forte, Keith Urban, Damien Rice, Rob Dickenson, and Angela Gossow.

What are your career goals at this point in your life?
Same as they have always been ... to enjoy myself and uplift other people while doing so -that, and a constant diet of laughter!

Courtney Gilmour
		About the author:
		Courtney is a published writer, stand-up comic, and shameless Internet enthusiast. She holds a double bachelors degree in English Literature and Communication Media Studies, specializing in semiotic theory, however she doesn't get Shakespeare and has never won a game of Scrabble. Currently she lives in Toronto and works as a writer for WOMAN.CA.
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