Recording an album in a barn on a bison ranch may seem strange, but it was a perfect fit for Jolene Higgins.
Known by her stage name Little Miss Higgins, the Winnipeg country blues artist teamed up with the Winnipeg Five band to record her latest album the Bison Ranch Recording Sessions.
The album title speaks for itself; Higgins' fifth album was recorded on a Manitoba bison ranch in a renovated barn.
"It was unconventional for a studio," said Higgins, adding they group had to do some work to get ready to record.
They had to build some sound baffles and hung theatre curtains to break up the space.
"We had a really great time. We did it all live off the floor," she said.
While the space may seem like an odd choice for most musicians, it goes hand-in-hand with Higgins' style of old-time country blues roots music.
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While she listens to many kinds of music, she loves early blues artists like Memphis Minnie and Big Bill Broonzy.
"It's that old country blues and jazz and folks music from the early 1900s. It's music I really love and respect," said Higgins.
Since 2005, Higgins had put out four albums before joining forces with the Winnipeg Five; its members are Jimmie James McKee on trumpet, Eric Lemoine on banjo and pedal steel, Blake Thomson on guitar, Patrick Alexandre Leclerc on upright bass and Evan Friesen on drums.
Higgins met the quintet through the Winnipeg music scene and liked their sound.
"It just seemed to make sense," she said. "I thought they were a really great band."
Higgins asked if they wanted to join forces and she said she hopes to continue to work with them.
"I'd like to keep it going as long as it can," she said.
They hit the road for their first tour this fall heading out west to B.C. and are now venturing east with a stop in Thunder Bay at Crocks on Nov. 19.
The show starts at 8 p.m. Admission is $10. Age of majority required.
