Fanny Starchild and her husband, Vegari Cendar, have just released what they refer to as their first 'grown-up' album, Liberte.
But Starchild – well known on the local family entertainment scene for her clowning – isn't about to leave behind her endearing and irrepressible sense of humour,
She refers to the album – available in both a French and an English/bilingual version – as "our twin babies."
"I've been leaving voice messages with people saying we just had twins and that I'll email the details later," she chuckled.
"Vegari doesn't like it very much, but he says 'do what you want, Fanny.' " she said.
"After 20 years together, he must have learned. And it's fun to play with people." particularly adults. Kids already know the message that love is the most important thing in the world."
The couple's love, sense of fun and spirituality runs all the way through Liberte, which Starchild said is intended partly as a musical antidote to the personal and social chaos in the world today.
Starchild's soaring, pure vocal tone, guitar, keys and flute are complimented by Cendar's warm and smooth singing, percussion and masterful, funky bass-playing (his other regular gig, for some 15 years, has been touring with acclaimed African musician Alpha Ya Ya Diallo).
As Starchild describes it, it's a "voyage of discovery and peace," marrying inspiring lyrics on both her and Cendar's original songs with often-ethereal harmonies and Calypso, Reggae and and pop African beats.
Backing them is an all-star trio, The Mystiques, comprising Victor Smith (formerly of Wheat in the Barley) on piano, accordion and percussion, Randy Schultz (Mojo Zydeco) on guitar and versatile drummer/percussionist (and Starchild gig regular) Ron Stelting.
Joined by seasoned professional Catherine McLellan (Ena) as backup singer – helping reproduce the album's vocal harmonies – Starchild and the Mystiques will be making a series of live appearances to promote the CD over the next three months.
First up is a release party April 13 at 8 p.m at Vancouver's Ironworks Studio (235 Alexander St.), for which $20 not only covers admission but also one of the two CDs (tickets at the door or through www.northerntickets.com).
There'll also be a White Rock debut May 5 at 8 p.m. at the White Rock Elks Club, 1469 George St. (tickets $15 at the door).
The French-language version will also receive a special launch performance Friday, May 18 at 7:30 at the CBC's Espace Studio, 700 Hamilton St., Vancouver ($10) while a special family-oriented release celebration will take place Saturday, June 9 at 8 p.m. at Ocean Park Community Hall, 1577 128 St. ($10).
Starchild says the collection of "love songs for the planet" has really been in the works for some 20 years now, ever since she first met Cendar at the Circling Dawn organic cafe on Commercial Drive.
Born in Gaspe, Quebec, to a family she now describes as "dysfunctional" – although it gave her a strong background in music – she grew up in Val D'Or, 400 miles north of Montreal.
The only one of 10 children to take after her nonconformist "evolved" father – a Gandhi-inspired union representative and organic co-op farmer – she came to the West Coast as a busking entertainer.
Cendar came from St. Lucia in the Carribean, where he'd grown up speaking the island's French patois, and his musical gifts of singing and composition were already evident when she met him at the cafe at an open mic night.
"He borrowed my drum," she recalled. "When I heard him sing, I thought 'I want to be with this guy'. I pursued him for three months, but he had to check me out. Who was this clown, playing on the street?"
The relationship worked immediately in an opposites-attract way, Starchild said, but the continuing strength of their relationship is love and true mutual admiration.
"He's a conflict-resolution kind of guy. He's kind and inspirational and listens to people. When you travel with people, a lot of conflicts can arise, but he calms everyone down."
That's made him a great balancing influence to her more volatile personality, she acknowledges.
"I'm a highly-strung clown, I'm loud, I'm a rooster, I'm an operatic singer," she said.
"He admires me for who I am, and when he holds me, I feel the ground under my feet."