PIECE OF MY HEART

ALLISON SMITH

Bringing Janis Joplin alive - that’s Krista Blondin’s goal every time she mounts a stage dressed as the ‘60s rock and blues artist.

She certainly achieved that objective Saturday night at the Moose and Goose, where she performed to a crowd of hundreds who remember the late musician for classics such as Cry Baby, Ball and Chain, A Piece of My Heart, Me & Bobby McGee, Mercedes Benz and others. The name of Blondin’s tribute act is A Tribute to Janis: Piece of My Heart.

“I’ve always been a fan of Janis and her music since I was about 14 years old,” said Blondin. “I’m now in my thirtys.”

Her enthusiasm for pop, jazz and blues hasn’t dampened over the years either. Aside from reincarnating Janis Joplin on occasion, Blondin tours as manager and singer in her own band. She said she had waited about seven years after she started singing to branch into Janis Joplin material.

“I wanted to do Janis properly,” she explained. “I wanted to put my heart into it. It was a gradual thing and we began playing more clubs and playing more often.”

Originally, Blondin had favoured outdoor music festivals and open-air events. These days, she’s branching into more intimate venues such as bars and clubs like Thorold’s Moose and Goose.

One show is never the same as the last, even for the band that has been travelling and bringing vintage Joplin to small and large communities for a number of years.

“We keep adding new elements to each show. It’s all fun,” she said, adding her set list stays roughly the same but yet is not “completely scripted. I like to think each show gets better because we like to mix it up for a lot of our fans who come here and see us from Toronto.”

Blondin explained her band has a loyal fan base and she has struck up some great friendships with people she has met on the road. The singer, originally from Port Credit Mississauga, said some elements of her show have been changed over the years.

For example, in certain venues she would used a bottle of Southern Comfort as a prop. That doesn’t happen anymore.

“It’s about the music more than anything else, the emotion and energy Janis had,” said Blondin. “She paved the way and influenced many women in music and told them not to be afraid to throw it all out there. She was somebody who made it okay to talk to those people. (During performances), we try to make people feel happy and enjoy the music. Janis was all about being yourself and being confident. I get to relay a positive message (to listeners).” - Niagara News