Busting out of the music wasteland: Kelly Haigh

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      When not adding stuffed Victorian dogs and tiara-wearing squirrels to her extensive taxidermy collection, Kelly Haigh can be found creating the kind of paintings that give you a good idea what Margaret Keane’s worst nightmares look like. As proven by her DIY debut album, Country Western Star, she also makes the kind of gorgeously retro Americana that suggests Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn, and Dolly Parton getting plastered in the Grand Ole Opry’s bar.

      Best local release other than yours:

      “I loved Victory Party by Geoff Berner. It was like being in some magical, creepy movie where the soundtrack plays in your mind, and you’re like ‘What the hell?’ It was genius.”

      The year’s best gig:

      “Being a shut-in, I don’t get out much. But I have to say that I saw Jenny Whiteley at the Railway Club [July 18], and it lit a fire under my butt to try and be better at everything I do. She was that amazing.

      We’re road-tripping. Who’s on the stereo?

      It has to be The Essential Porter Wagoner and Dolly Parton. I know that it’s not exactly a classic album, necessarily, but I love it. It’s just so fun—one of those records that takes you on a big trip of different emotions.”

      Vancouver needs a sex-tape scandal. Who’s your co-star?

      “I’m picking Cora Burnette. She just has this kind of bossy way about her. She also owns that clothing store, Little Miss Vintage, so she could dress me up in little frilly things and spank me.”

      The Straight’s paying, so where’s dinner?

      “We’re going to the Teahouse [610 Pipeline Road, Stanley Park] because I just like to pretend that I’m a lady. It makes me behave ladylike there for some reason, even though the last time I was there I stabbed the waiter with a fork for not telling me how big the dessert was.”

      Jimmy Pattison’s fronting the money. Where are we opening a venue?

      “Do they already have live music at the Hastings Racecourse [188 North Renfrew Street]? They should, because when I was a kid, I remember Sha Na Na playing the Assiniboia Downs racetrack in Winnipeg. I sat on my friend’s roof and we would watch all these live shows there as kids and get so excited about music. It would be really fun if something like that could happen here for kids.”

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