Vocalist, pianist, and songwriter, Robyn McCorquodale‘s vibrant singing match her personality by encouraging others through her optimism not only with her music but with the words accompanying them. She has made music her life’s work by continuously studying and training for it. She holds a music degree from the University of British Columbia, where she trained as a classical musician. She also created a successful multi-media presentation, titled Diary of a Piano Girl, which showcased her journey as a performer on all seven continents.
With her latest single and video, “We Fly Together or We Don’t Fly At All,” is an ode to celebrating health care workers and medical first responders, and was initially inspired by Robyn’s own caretaker role with her parents. The video shows Robyn walking on a bridge in Vancouver, along with ocean-lined forests surrounding the city, never losing her smile or half-glass-full outlook on life. We all could use a little hope and encouragement, and Robyn excels at doing just that.
Not only are you a vocalist, you’re also a pianist and a songwriter. Do you recall which came first when you began creating and making music?
Robyn McCorquodale: Thank you for the opportunity to share a bit of my story. And yes I do recall – piano at age 4! I was the little sister who said “me too” when my sister got the lessons so I started early. At age 7 an aunt commented on my pretty voice hearing me sing along to the radio. I’m sure she was just humouring a child but I believed her and asked my parents for voice lessons. I started the voice lessons and also guitar lessons shortly after. It was all classical lessons back then which was good for learning proper technique, but I always loved teaching myself the country and pop tunes and even making up my own songs. By the time I graduated from high school, I had a lot of classical music training, privately and through the Royal Conservatory of Music in Canada. So it seemed to make sense to do a music degree in university. At the same time, I studied jazz piano privately to help develop a pop and jazz sensibility, but I had no intention to pursue music as a career. However, after university graduation, I received a phone call from a Vancouver entertainment agent, inviting me to be the first entertainer from all of North America to sing and play piano for the richest man in the world at the time, the Sultan of Brunei. There is a lot more to that story but let’s just say that it was that two-month gig in Borneo that launched my performance career and set me on an amazing path doing everything I love to do: explore places and cultures, meet people from around the world and share music. Traveling as a solo artist, it was a natural progression to get back to songwriting but now with more maturity and life experience behind me. I began to write not because I thought I could write, but as a cathartic activity of creative expression that fit well with my independent gypsy life of self-discovery.
You’re also the creator of the multimedia presentation Diary of a Piano Girl, a concert that showcases your journey as a performer on all seven continents. What was the inspiration behind this, and what are each of these performances like for you?
Robyn: Thank you for that question! Diary of a Piano Girl was inspired by my journey traveling as a solo performer, encountering endless adventure, meeting people from around the world, and sharing music. When I moved to New York and started doing shows I incorporated my travel stories into my performance as part of the show pattern and the audience really responded to them. These real-life anecdotes can be quite funny and entertaining, even though they were actually quite terrifying experiences in the moment. Now when I encounter a stressful situation along the journey, I take comfort in knowing that not only is it a lesson in life, but also it will make a great story on stage one day! Soon after moving to NY, I transitioned from a lounge entertainer to a Headlining Act on cruise ships, and again shared my stories in my shows. The stories always went over really well. Guests told me they enjoyed my stories as much as they enjoyed my music. So I felt there was potential in building on something unique that was already working. When I bought my first digital camera for a cruise engagement in Antarctica, I was able to capture quality photos/videos of my travels. It soon became my dream vision to bring all the elements together in a multi-media presentation featuring my songs, stories, and photography/videography that spanned seven continents. It was extremely exciting to see my vision come to fruition when I debuted the show in Vancouver and NY. The show worked as I imagined it would! It was incredibly exhilarating to receive wonderful audience feedback and great reviews of what was described as a “magical musical masterpiece.” Even more exciting is that each show is unique, comprising different adventures, and the show continues to evolve, as does the journey and the diary!
How would you describe your songwriting process?
Robyn: Everything all at once and often not at the piano or guitar! Most of my songs usually begin with a lyric hook and theme. Those ideas can come from an experience, emotion or from a phrase that someone says. In fact, “We Fly Together or We Don’t Fly at All” was a phrase used by a Scottish worker I know at a care home. She said it once and I immediately loved it and said – “that will be my next song to write and record”! Ideas for songs are always available if we’re open to receiving the inspiration. Once I have a hook, I typically begin writing the lyrics in my head and am already singing a melody and have a chord structure and groove in mind. Lyrics and music are intertwined from the start. I get a lot of my inspiration while running and do a lot of my writing while walking or driving. I usually have the first verse, chorus, melody, phrasing and the feel written before I even get to the piano. At the piano, everything just falls into place with the chords. Then it’s the challenge of tackling the lyrics of the 2nd verse and bridge or 3rd verse. I love the writing process. It’s cathartic and great for really knowing and understanding yourself and your values!
Your latest single, “We Fly Together or We Don’t Fly at All,” is an extraordinary, uplifting song about your reflection of your journey as a primary caregiver, which has so much relevancy now during the current pandemic. Can you describe the impact this song has had on you, as much as it has on its listeners?
Robyn: Thank you so much for your kind words! Every song creation is an emotional journey for me, but this project continues to be particularly close to my heart. It has been healing and a wonderful creative outlet through all the challenges of 2020. The song was written just before COVID hit and was inspired by my journey as a caregiver for my parents. An unexpected chapter in my life, to have the tables suddenly turn. But I continue to fully embrace my role as a caregiver and am grateful for this precious and meaningful time and for all the amazing support I have received from professional care workers. For me, this song is mostly about that core inspiration that I continue to witness daily. I think that other family and professional caregivers might relate to this song in that way. However, who knew that a pandemic would erupt midst the recording, and suddenly my video project would be “to mask or not to mask?” This was not part of the original storyboard vision, so as the pandemic unfolded, so did my video treatment. And in fact, there is a precise moment in the video when the transition happens from pre-pandemic to COVID-19 and all the protocols. The song took on expanded meaning as the world moved to the front line of a global attack and in a sense, we all became caregivers and protectors of our friends, family, and colleagues. Never has there been a more critical time than now for us all to unite and consider the community impact of our actions. I’ve been touched by many people – friends and new friends I’ve met online – who have reached out to me saying they love the song’s inspiring and timely message!
What’s even more intriguing about this single is that the title and theme are rooted in Celtic spirituality; can you reflect more on this, and how this relates to you and your family?
Robyn: Great question! This journey as a caregiver has taught me that I couldn’t go it alone. Given my career, I’ve learned to enjoy travelling solo and I’m fiercely independent. But on this caregiving journey, team support is critical. The song title, first given to me by my Scottish friend, is rooted in Celtic spirituality that teaches us how the remarkable V-formation of Wild Geese in flight can be a lesson for the human race to “fly together” by supporting and caring for one another along the journey. Geese do this instinctively and intuitively – a wonderful model for mankind to follow in how we can come together and help each other. Given my Scottish roots, this parallel has even greater significance to me. I am inspired by the amazing people who choose to be health care workers or medical first responders. I have witnessed so many kind-hearted people who rise up every day to help others, even when it puts themselves in harms way. It’s more than a job – it’s a noble path. Their support has been critical to my family, and especially through the pandemic. In Vancouver, we honour health care workers at 7pm every night, by cheering outside our doors, windows, from porches and patios, banging pots and pans, clapping, playing musical instruments – a moment of community spirit!
The music video accompanying the single is just as uplifting and inspiring as the song; what was filming like for the video, along with collaboration with it?
Robyn: Thank you again for your wonderful feedback. The recording process for both the audio and video projects were not like any previous project. I was grateful to work with Producer Vince Mai on the audio project. I’ve worked with Vince before, but usually in a studio with all the musicians in a room. This time it was done through file sharing and Vince’s amazing production skills! For the video, my previous videographer was in Toronto, so given travel restrictions, I searched online and found Mark Ellis of MuvoMedia. I liked his portfolio and reached out to him. He liked the project concept from the start and said “let’s do it!” We began to collaborate on a vision. It was shot in Vancouver, BC. The forest performance shots were taken midst the old growth trees in Spirit Park in the University of British Columbia Endowment Lands, my Alma Mater. The urban performance shots were taken crossing the Cambie Street Bridge – the walkway that connects downtown Vancouver to the West Side. Not only a scenic crossing, but my daily walk for the past three years – a crossing that literally bridges my life and career with my responsibilities as a caregiver. I’ve done a lot of dreaming, praying, crying, and creating while crossing over that bridge by foot and feel connected to that bridge and its stunning surround scenery. I also love the symbolism of a bridge – connection, stability, transition, pathway and my favourite – hope! The performance shots on the cliff were taken at Lighthouse Park in West Vancouver. I love the vastness captured here, being close to nature with unlimited sea and sky on the horizon. For me the cliff represents being “on the edge,” close to danger yet staying grounded and connected to the earth, reaching out to the world. The Lighthouse symbolizes our strength and safety.
Fun Questions
Who was your first concert, and who has been your favorite so far?
Robyn: I think my first concert was Tanya Tucker! I was really young though she was not much older still in her late teens I think, on stage belting out Delta Dawn! I was so inspired by her powerhouse voice and charisma! I actually prefer intimate venues to stadiums, so on that note I would say that my favourite concerts have mostly been at small cabaret and jazz venues in New York City. However, I most recently saw Stevie Nicks at Rogers Arena in Vancouver. She was amazing – not just musically, but she told stories about her journey, similar to my Diary show – I loved it! She made the large arena feel intimate. I’ve always loved her voice but that evening I got to know her and more about her journey! Chrissie Hynde opened the show – it was a fabulous double female bill!
What was your first album on cassette, CD, and/or vinyl?
Robyn: It was a cassette called Moments with Robyn – the only recording of “covers” that I’ve recorded. It was done live in the studio, performed all 13 songs in one take singing at the piano. I chose a mix of pop and Broadway tunes that were often requested on my piano lounge gig. I created it for the sole purpose of selling it during my lounge gigs on cruise ships. Soon after that I did my first recording of original material, I Don’t Have to Cry Anymore – an EP of 5 tunes on CD, mostly of a contemporary country flavour with titles like “Honeydo Day” and “Did You Get Up on the Wrong Side of the Bed?”
Which five albums and/or artists would you not want to live without?
Robyn: Carol King Tapestry; Linda Ronstadt’s Trilogy with Nelson Riddle Orchestra: What’s New, Lush Life and For Sentimental Reasons; The Patsy Cline boxset; Sarah Vaughan – any album but in particular the CD How Long Has This Been Going On?; and last but in no way least, Shirley Horn – any album, especially the live recordings! She was amazing in her vocal phrasing and delivering a lyric; her performance and arrangement of every song is a masterclass on how to play and sing at the same time!
What have you been listening to, watching, and/or reading?
Robyn: Always listening to an eclectic mix. I like a variety of genres. I love discovering new tunes streaming Top 40 Pop and Adult Contemporary playlists to keep current with arrangement ideas and production trends. I’m always drawn to a great voice and empowering lyrics. Music is my solace and oasis from all the negativity in the news. My CD collection that is always at the top of my playlist is more of a mix of classic jazz and country voices of all time … Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Shirley Horn, Julie London, Peggy Lee, Connie Francis, and the iconic Patsy Cline. I will never tire of the big band era, and jazz and country standards are eternal. As for what I watch, other than YouTube music videos, my late-night wind-down time includes streaming the British Murder Mysteries! Always beautifully filmed and orchestrated, well scripted and acted by realistic characters – entertaining and a pleasant break. My social media is all I have time for on the reading front!
Connect with Robyn on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Stream and/or download her music on Apple Music and Spotify.
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