What started as socially-distanced porch concerts during the pandemic has transformed into one of Canada’s most compelling and community-rooted vocal groups. Edmonton’s AV & The Inner City is an all-female, intergenerational powerhouse blending gospel, soul, and roots with emotional depth and raw honesty. Led by award-winning artist AV (Ann Vriend), along with Alenka Lundell, Crystal Eyo, Jenn Dahlen and Debbie Houle, the group’s new single “The Failer” is a stirring anthem about the search for certainty in an uncertain world—delivering a message as bold as their harmonies. We caught up with the group to talk about grassroots beginnings, nuanced storytelling, and what it means to create music that both questions and connects. —Noa Nichol
Let’s start on the porch—literally. What do you remember most about those first socially-distanced porch concerts that sparked this whole journey?
CE: The thing I remember most is just feeling so happy to have an opportunity to perform! It was such a hard time for musicians, ’cause so much was on hold, and so many of us couldn’t do what we do. Making music isn’t just a job — it’s how we connect, express, and make sense of the world. So being out on the porch, able to come together and share music with people, felt like finally being able to breathe again. It reminded me why I fell in love with music and singing in the first place.
You’re an all-female, intergenerational group. What do you think each generation brings to your sound and spirit?
AV: I think the fact that from youngest to oldest we have an almost 25 year difference and a wide range of life experiences and cultural backgrounds means we each get insight into how each other experience the world, and what we can learn from each other— and how at the same time we still have so many commonalities— including that we all love to sing, of course. I think all of that comes across in our performances and in a way is very reflective of what Canada is when it’s at its best— diverse while able to find common ground and mutual respect.
“The Failer” is such a powerful anthem. What inspired you to finally bring this song out of the vault now?
AV: when I wrote it something like 15 years ago it was LONG before I had met anyone in the Inner City and even longer before I ever knew I would have formed this vocal group.The song was sitting idle in a pile of songs that I haven’t released that are pretty anthemic, and not necessarily super “soul” ones. But as I was going through my old material as to what songs could fit on the Inner City album I thought about the idea of sustained chords moving at different times that I could create with the Inner City voices overtop of what chords the keys play, and I thought it would be pretty cool and powerful for what is otherwise a pretty straight ahead song.And then when I re-read the words I had written so long ago they seemed so fitting to our current times, as there is such a changing political landscape world-wide, with people faced with what is and isn’t good leadership and role models, and with our culture redefining what “truth” is and isn’t that it seemed like a really timely song to release now.So. though it wasn’t a thought-out plan I’m glad I waited with it all that time!
If AV & The Inner City had a group mantra or unofficial slogan, what would it be (and would it be embroidered on a robe)?
AL: It would probably be INNER PEACE!!!!!! in big, loud letters with many exclamation marks. We sometimes joke that we should write a punk rock song with this title. Maybe it would bring some inner peace to the audience, who knows.
(Though our ACTUAL official slogan and registered hashtag is #rockwhachagot :))
You blend gospel, soul, and roots—but how would you describe your music to someone who’s never heard it before… in three words only?
AV: all-female soul mini-choir
Who’s the early bird in the group? Who’s the last one to pack for tour? Spill the tea.
CE: Jenn is definitely the early bird – she likes to know all the details, probably down to what time the plane thinks about boarding. She’s got lists for her lists. Ann, meanwhile, is more of a last-minute packer — not because she forgot, but because she’s got a million things going on. Her suitcase might get packed five minutes before leaving, but somehow, she still manages to have everything she needs. It’s chaotic genius.
From porch to festival stage—what’s been the most surreal “we made it” moment so far?
JD: One of the most surreal and unforgettable highlights for me was to be on the main stage at the Bear Creek Folkfest and to see people of all ages, especially young kids, dancing in the audience while we performed!
As a band born during the pandemic, how has the idea of community shaped your music and mission?
DH: We really needed to connect during that whole pandemic period! If it weren’t for community and finding creative ways to sing and do music together, I don’t know if we would have come out as well as we did. I mean just look at this group of women who come together to perform songs that move people. It really has been the Edmonton communities who lifted us up and continue to lift us up as we continue this journey of sharing our music with whoever will have us.
You’ve performed everywhere from the Edmonton Folk Fest to Grand Prairie—what’s your secret to staying grounded (and in harmony) on the road?
JD: I’ve been practicing mindfulness, meditation, gratitude, and spending time in nature to help with grounding. Daily practice helps with staying in harmony!
What’s a song (by any artist) that you all wish you’d written together?
AL: I think it would be Purple Rain. We love performing this song, it brings up many emotions and it connects us to each other and to the audience. It is a kind of a magical song, a story with different parts and a beautiful resolution.
If “The Failer” were a dish, what would it be and why? (Bonus points for Okanagan fruit references.)
AV: HMMM! How about Dutchmen Dairy ice cream with an Okanagan cherry on top— cuz we stopped at Dutchmen’s on our very first Canadian summer tour, and the cherry on top is because, according to the Cambridge Dictionary, that is “something that makes something that is already good even better”— and that is how we feel this song adds to our other 3 singles we’ve released so far.
Looking ahead—what’s one dream venue, collaboration, or milestone you hope to cross off the list in the next year?
DH: We were blown away to be able to perform at some of Canada’s most popular Folk Festivals our second year out of the gate so I would say shooting for venues or festivals in Eastern Canada would be next on our list of places to share our music.
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