Country Barbie might seem like an oxymoron – until you meet musician Autumn Christensen, who embodies both her childhood nickname and the cheeky moniker of her band.
“I grew up with horses, ever since I was two,” said the lead singer, who is also an accomplished horse wrangler. “I always had that country lifestyle growing up.”
Christensen met bandmates Peter Friesen, J.P Poirier and Rob Boland when she joined them on stage about a year and a half ago at the Calgary Stampede. The trio – who performed under the name Malibu at the time – clicked with the spirited blonde, and they formed a new band (with their new name) shortly after.
“That was Autumn’s nickname growing up,” Friesen said with a laugh.
Friesen is an accomplished drummer who has opened for Canadian legends Kim Mitchell and April Wine, and said he was impressed when he heard Christensen’s catalogue of original material.
Christensen added a lot of her songs have been inspired by her rural lifestyle.
“I think the country life has really helped me to write. Living in the country, I find it’s more refreshing. It gives you more space to breathe,” she said. “I just like to write stories that can relate to other people, as well as myself. You want something everyone can relate to – then, everyone has the song for themselves.”
Country Barbie plays The Venue Bar and Grill tomorrow night at 9 p.m., and Friesen said the group will be playing mostly covers of “music that everybody would like to hear,” like rock, country, and R&B.
Christensen promises an enthusiastic performance for the band’s first showing in Cochrane.
“I honestly don’t stop moving on stage. I’m jumping around like a hyena,” said Christensen. “I always try to make sure the whole audience feels my energy and from our band. It’s a really fun show.”
