Mar. 01, 2006 - Issue #541: Alternative Oscars 2006

Craig Cardiff presents ‘the commonality of experience’

As a singer-songwriter, Craig Cardiff has no interest in simply filling the role of entertainer, performing like some sort of trained monkey. Instead, he wants to involve the audience as much as possible in both his songs and performances.

“What I want to do with my music and my performances is to challenge audiences with something that’s not a straight show,” Cardiff says. “Part of that is, within the frame of the storyteller, to include the audience a bit more than might be usual.”

When it comes to songs, Cardiff avoids using himself as the exclusive subject matter for his music. “There’s a sense of biography,” he says, “but I think there’s a lot you can do within the vein of the singer-songwriter in terms of presenting the commonality of experience.”

In Cardiff’s view, making music is not something to be done in a vacuum. When he performs, the experience is a collaborative one involving both the performer and the listener.

“I think the moment that every person in the room comes to the evening for is the sharing,” he explains. “It’s hard to predict when it will happen within a show, but when it does it’s a wonderful, wonderful thing. For me, part of the reason for not touring with a band and for not creating a lot of space between me and the audience is because they’re just as much a part of it as I am.

“There’s a back-and-forth exchange—some of my best shows have been when I’ve invited people up on stage and there’s been a piano, or I carry a very small percussion kit with me,” he continues. “For me, the exciting moments have been where the train could go off the rails, but somehow it keeps itself all together.” V Sat, Mar 4 (9 pm)
Craig Cardiff
With Krista Hartman
and Carrie HRyniw
Powerplant, $7

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