Carole Pope, one of Canada’s most influential artists, is bringing her unapologetic energy back to East Coast stages. “It’s a really fun gig,” said Pope. “It’s great performing unplugged and just making off-the-cuff jokes. Sometimes I do Q&As with the audience - we’re open to whatever.” The Canadian Songwriters Hall of Famer and Walk of Fame inductee, best known as co-lead of the iconic band Rough Trade, has long been celebrated for pushing the boundaries of sexuality, politics and culture through her music. “I just always wrote about sexuality,” Pope said in an interview with CTV Atlantic’s Katie Kelly. “You can interpret my songs however you like, but we did have a number one hit about, you know, High School Confidential - about me singing about a woman. I guess I did it first.” Fans can expect a mix of Rough Trade classics and newer solo material when Pope embarks on her upcoming Maritime tour, performing four intimate, unplugged shows. “My guitar player Tim Welch and I are doing an acoustic show,” said Pope. “We’re going to play new stuff, old stuff - just generally mouth off.” After years away from the East Coast, Pope says she’s excited to reconnect with fans - and the region itself. “We used to play there all the time in the ’80s and ’90s and then very sporadically since then,” said Pope. “I’m very excited to be back there because I love the people, I love the land, and I love eating seafood.” Pope’s Maritime tour kicks off on October 28 in Riverview, N.B, with a show at Holy Whale. She’ll then perform in Halifax on Oct. 30 at The Carleton, followed by an Oct. 31 stop in Fredericton at the Charlotte Street Arts Centre. The tour wraps up on Nov. 1 in Saint John with a performance at the BMO Theatre.
