Born in Windsor, Ontario and raised in France and Kelowna, British Columbia, Fellows lived in Toronto, Vancouver, Guelph and Montreal before settling in Winnipeg in 1992.
In 1993, she formed her first group, Helen, with Barry Mirochnick, Paul James, and Chang. Helen broke up in 1995, and in 1996 Fellows teamed up with singer-songwriter Keri McTighe, Barry Mirochnick, Keith McLeod and Peggy Messing, to form Special Fancy. The group released one album, King Me.
In 2000 Fellows released her debut solo album, 2 Little Birds. This was followed by The Last One Standing in 2002, Paper Anniversary in 2005, and Nevertheless in 2007. These albums feature Leanne Zacharias (cello), Jason Tait (drums, vibraphone), Barry Mirochnick (drums, vocals), John K. Samson (vocals, guitar), Keith McLeod (mandolin), Monica Guenter (viola), Greg Smith (bass), Ed Reifel (percussion), and Cristina Zacharias (violin).
Fellows has performed with the Rheostatics, Veda Hille, The Mountain Goats, Kim Barlow, Old Man Luedecke, and The Weakerthans. She is married to The Weakerthans' lead singer, John K. Samson.
In 2006, Fellows and Samson recorded The Old House, an album intended only as a Christmas gift for friends and family, although they released two songs, "Taps Reversed" and "Good Salvage", for airplay on CBC Radio 3 in early 2007. Fellows and Samson also performed live on the network on March 17, 2007, to mark the final night of the network's terrestrial simulcast on CBC Radio 2.
Fellows also composes music for dance, film and television. She scored part of Clive Holden's Trains of Winnipeg film series, as well as collaborating with Tait and Samson on the associated album. In 2007, she wrote several songs for a dance piece by choreographer Susie Burpee; they were later included on her fourth solo album, Nevertheless, which was released on November 6, 2007.
Fellows has also toured as a member of The Pan-Canadian New Folk Ensemble with Kim Barlow and Old Man Luedecke.
Recently, she was artist-in-residence at Le Musee de Saint-Boniface Museum in Winnipeg (2009), and she has been writing songs for a new solo album, scheduled for release on Six Shooter Records in fall of 2010.
Blueprints
Christine Fellows Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
While angles hold their breath.
In backyards, buckers overturned,
Under picnic-grey skies.
Determined to remain.
To brave this load-bearing embrace.
With bottle caps and paint shards
Will you teach me how to whistle
With a mouthful of nails.
I can hammer, I can yell.
I know this ain't no paradise
But it might mean home to me.
And I'll give it up when
I have fiven everything.
Will you teach me how to whistle
With a mouthful of nails.
I can hammer, I can yell.
Will you teach me how to whistle
With a mouthful of nails.
Will you still love you if i fail.
The song "Blueprints" by Christine Fellows is a poetic exploration of finding beauty and meaning in the mundane and ordinary aspects of life. The first verse describes a scene of decay and neglect in which concrete is buckling, cobwebs are growing, and objects are overturned. Despite this bleak picture, the singer is determined to stay and make the best of the situation. They use bottle caps and paint shards to create a celebration and escape from the harsh reality of their surroundings. The chorus reflects a desire to learn something new and difficult, like whistling with a mouthful of nails, as a metaphor for the struggle to survive and find joy in unusual places. The final lines express a fear of failure and a need for reassurance and love.
The lyrics of "Blueprints" suggest a sense of resilience and creativity in the face of difficult circumstances. The singer is not content to simply give up or accept their lot in life. Instead, they actively seek ways to create beauty and bring meaning to their surroundings, even if it means using unconventional materials or taking risks. The metaphor of whistle-blowing with nails in the mouth is also a nod to the idea that life can be painful and difficult, but we can still find ways to express ourselves and connect with others despite the challenges.
Line by Line Meaning
Concrete buckles, cobwebs bloom.
Amidst the deteriorating surroundings, signs of life and growth still persist.
While angles hold their breath.
Even the structural supports that hold everything in place seem to be worried about what might happen next.
In backyards, buckers overturned,
The remnants of past attempts to make something out of this place are scattered throughout, sometimes toppled over and forgotten.
Under picnic-grey skies.
The dull, uniform, and unchanging backdrop emphasizes the stagnation of the situation.
Determined to remain.
Despite the harsh conditions, a strong will to persevere exists within.
To brave this load-bearing embrace.
Referring to the difficult circumstances as a test from a harsh, but perhaps ultimately beneficial, authority figure.
With bottle caps and paint shards
Making the most of whatever resources are available.
To confetti my escape.
Using creativity to bring a sense of playfulness and joy to the situation, even in the face of hardship.
Will you teach me how to whistle
With a mouthful of nails.
Asking for guidance on how to do the seemingly impossible, to achieve mastery over something overwhelming.
I can hammer, I can yell.
Confident in one's ability to be loud and make an impact on the world, even if it's not always productive.
I know this ain't no paradise
But it might mean home to me.
Acknowledging the harsh realities of the situation, but still finding a sense of belonging and comfort in it.
And I'll give it up when
I have given everything.
Committing to staying and seeing this through to the end, no matter how difficult it may be.
Will you still love you if i fail.
Asking for reassurance that even if one doesn't succeed in their endeavors, they will still be loved and supported.
Contributed by Adam N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.