We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Paige Fairbairn. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Paige below.

Paige, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Do you wish you had waited to pursue your creative career or do you wish you had started sooner?

In comparison to most people I know, I was late to the party. I didn’t decide to be brave enough to perform live until I was 28 years old. I have always been a creative person, and always loved to sing, but throughout my school years I was an athlete. I ran track in college and that left little time to explore the arts. Shortly after college, I was married with kids and that’s a world of it’s own. I reached a point where I felt like I had lost myself, and that’s when I stepped up to the microphone. It seems a little crazy in retrospect – but I felt a little crazy. It was out of left field for most people who knew me because singing was never something I did publicly.

Sometimes I think about how different things would be if I would have joined the music world earlier, but I am more of a – meant to be – type of person. I wouldn’t be exactly where I am right now if I would have strayed in any of my decision making, and I wouldn’t have the perspective I do now. Life experience is fuel for songs. I think the age I am gives me a lot to say and the courage to say it. I don’t care as much about what other people think as I did when I was younger. I also know how valuable my time is.

Paige, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I am a singer/songwriter. I love writing songs. It gives me an outlet for emotions, it connects me to other people, and it’s honestly just fun. I would have never believed 10 years ago that I would be playing music for people – let a lone MY music – and also getting paid to do it.

Once I started playing at open mics, I was lucky enough to be immersed in such a great community. I received encouragement and love – through all my blunders – and had a group of friends that took me into their music fold. I have learned so much from people through the community of music, and that is why I now host an open mic night. I would have never gotten started without those people I met at the first few times I stepped up to bat.

I now have a band – Paige Fairbairn & The Feverfew. Every time we practice, it blows my mind that I get to play with these guys. It’s amazing to hear the songs develop, and then even more amazing to share them with people. We are in the process of recording an EP right now – which has been it’s own learning experience. I just feel really darn lucky to have the people in my life that I do.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

Taking something you built from scratch and watching it grow into this living thing. And then watching that thing take hold of people. It’s the best part of any kind of art. When I bring some lyrics in to the band and they’re like whoa, and then they put some weird music behind it and we all start feeling this magic??? That’s amazing. And even better – you take that and give it to someone to feel and hold as they connect with it??? That’s the best drug there is. It’s really all about connection for me.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

I think a huge lesson to being an artist or creative of any kind is being okay with asking for what you need. You are not an inconvenience. You are worth compensation. You make a normal day special. I think a lot of artists are introverted – I know I was an extremely shy kid and teenager, & that makes it hard to book gigs, or ask for space and money. This is super cliche, but the world would be a very boring place without art. You don’t have to explain yourself for needing to be paid for your time and effort.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.thefeverfewmusic.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paigefairbairnmusic/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paigefairbairnmusic

Image Credits

Daniel Thompson Film and Photography
Kaitlin Mace Photography and Film