Christine Graves has been writing for many years now. Her history is that of an Ottawa Valley singer songwriter who has released 5 of her own records, toured Canada and the US and been artistic director for Blue Skies Music Festival in Clarendon, Ontario. COVID times had a profound impact on the direction of her career, bringing her back to the studio and a return to more frequent performing. She will be a part of the Original Thursdays music series at The Cove Inn on Thursday, February 12, 2026 from 5-8pm. Her songs will dig deep! Details and reservations here. 

 

 

 

Christine Graves: I was strongly influenced by having older brothers who were all in their teens as I became conscious in the world. Early seventies songwriting such as by Lennon and McCartney and other popular groups was some of the music I grew up hearing at home. Singer-songwriters were constantly on the turntable too, including Ralph McTell (“Streets of London”), John Martyn (“May You Never”) and  Roy Harper (England’s Bob Dylan). Can you see that we spent two years overseas in Plymouth (UK)? Bruce Cockburn probably taught me a lot about how I view the world, nature and my politics. His earliest recordings were in heavy rotation.

My first album purchase (grade 6) was Steely Dan’s “Aja”. There is a lot of variety there, no genre pigeon hole to my ears. You hear that in my kind-of undefinable songwriting style. “Canadiana”?

Joni Mitchell and her later work with Charles Mingus was my first female influence, again, by my brothers’ taste. On my own, I found Joni’e earlier folk albums about age 17 or 18 and grew to love her brilliance. An early singing influence was Sandy Denny (in Fairport Convention) and I only later discovered her songwriting. There is so much to find when you are looking.

 

 

Christine: Blue Skies was the first music festival I would attend at the tender age of 17 years. I saw Scott Merritt play solo on the Main Stage. I was forever altered in the counterculture I found at the festival and wanted this kind of community to be part of my life.

 

When I got my first opportunity on stage at Blue Skies, it made me feel worthy as a singer-songwriter and as a musician. There were people singing along to the lyrics! From then on, many aspects of the festival would contribute to my learning and experience along the way.

 

 

Christine: “All of this” is probably the most important element of my sanity right now. I needed a break in 2006 when I put aside the business (booking and recording) of my music. Writing, learning, and playing continued. And it was that break that gave me time to work as Artistic Director and to learn how to be a mom. I truly didn’t comprehend at the time that I had fans. I kinda left some folks in the lurch by disappearing. I appreciate that now and have a better understanding of the role of artist in society. Blessed.

 

 

Christine: Ottawa has a music scene with care and shared encouragement amongst the players and performers in all genres. It is especially rich for songwriters. It’s a bigger and bigger challenge for an establishment owner to put live music at the fore of a venue. The owner has to have good understanding of the business to make it succeed (case in point - Paul Symes of The Blacksheep Inn). I try to work alongside presenters when I suggest a show in their space. And I look for the ones who are sharing that work and show respect to artists. There is consequence to everyone when there is no audience. The third part is music lovers who attend shows. Ottawa has strong community and there are a lot of folks who enjoy hearing and seeing live music.

 

Q: There is no doubt that with your history, you are a true singer songwriter for life. What does the future have in store for you? Is there some place you’d like to play, some style or some artist you would like to work with to fulfill any more desires on your musical journey? 

 

Christine: I enjoy making music with others (Malaika, touring with my bandmates) and currently I satisfy that itch in a group called Tin Constellations here in Ottawa. I thought I’d start crossing the border to the south more than in the past and I would love to get over to Europe and experience their way of doing audience, to artists and venue. I guess I can focus on the latter. To that end, I would enjoy a small trio with two other female voices placing vocals as the centre of the sound. I envision some experimentation and a very soft touch in the arrangements. Space (silence) in music is a secret sauce. It lets everyone come in and out of the magical thing we call music.