"I'm just making some eggs. I knew you were calling and thought, I can chew and talk at the same time," Jann Arden mentions at the start of our chat. This kind of casual friendly chatter is what has made Jann Arden one of Canada's sweethearts for more than 2 decades. On the phone from her home in Springbank, on an off day while preparing to tour in support of her 10th studio album Everything Almost, Arden is clearly both excited and nervous about hitting the road. The cross-Canada tour kicked off September 4th in Victoria and stops in Edmonton on September 8th and Calgary on September 9th. She is also co-hosting the Canadian Country Music Awards with Rick Mercer in Edmonton on September 8th. Being on stage has changed a great deal for Arden at 53 compared to 21 years ago when she toured behind her first album Time For Mercy.
"I get very nervous before I go on stage now. My heart just starts racing. I have to take ativan to calm me." Touring is also different in that she has concerns back home. While her dog Midi is a constant companion, her parents who have a house on property shared with Arden, are older. Her father has recently had some medical issues as well. Ensuring the right people are in place makes it easier.
"I have friends checking in on them constantly and I talked to them two or three times a day when I am on the road."
Her parents will undoubtedly be in the audience on September 9th when Arden performs at the hometown Jubilee Auditorium. Seeing Arden at home is always a fun experience as she often includes references to local landmarks and her growing up here. With an audience of "fanns" friends and family it makes it extra special. With 21 years of albums, choosing a set list is more complicated. 2014 marks the 20th anniversary of her album Living Under June so tracks from that album can be expected along with cuts from the new album Everything Almost and hits like Will You Remember Me and I Would Die For You. Some covers will likely appear, as well as songs Arden hasn't performed live in years.
"Sorry For Myself is in the set. So many people love that song and I get so many requests for it I had to put it in there. We do Time For Mercy on this tour. It is hard when there are so many songs to choose from."
The Everything Almost album, produced by Bob Rock, has a more rock infused sound which also transmits live. This is also Arden's biggest tour. Gone is the stripped down stage and Arden fronting a three-piece band.
"This show has the best production values I have ever had. We have added a backup singer, the band is bigger. It is a great show."