The idea of any 24-year-old making a comeback is absurd. But for Canadian pop-rocker Fefe Dobson, who made her debut with a self-titled 2003 release at the age of 16, her two-fisted, sweat-drenched, and hungry performance in front of packed throng of fans and music industry tastemakers spoke volumes. "It's almost like when an animal is in a small cage, but when you let it out it's running around like crazy," Dobson mused to PopEater at her New York showcase earlier this week. "That's how I feel when I'm onstage."
There are rarely second chances in the music biz. Indeed, the fact that Dobson is currently enjoying significant airplay on national radio and MTV with her new garage-punk-rock-meets-bubbly-girl-power single "I Want You" from Joy, her first upcoming release in six years, is an aberration.
Back in 2003, the scrappy pixie singer-songwriter from Toronto was hailed as the next music tween queen. Her background -- Dobson is black -- injected much needed diversity into the rest of the Avril Lavigne crowd. But creative differences with Island Records led to her sophomore project being scrapped and by 2006 she parted ways with her label. "They wanted me to be more urban," Dobson recalls of time with Island. "And I really need a live rock 'n roll band with me onstage. I have that now."
Dobson Rocks 'I Want You
These days Dobson, who has gone independent route, is all about control. She credits producer Dave Lichens, leader of the underground rock band the Heavy Steadies, with helping her achieve a more spontaneous, organic sound.
"It's the best feeling in the world," said an elated Dobson of the positive reaction she has received. "I don't have cable at home and I do that purposely. I don't listen to radio because I really felt like I didn't want to be pulled into the commercial world. I just wanted it to happen and be surprised. And I'm surprised."
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The idea of any 24-year-old making a comeback is absurd. But for Canadian pop-rocker Fefe Dobson, who made her debut with a self-titled 2003 release at the age of 16, her two-fisted, sweat-drenched, and hungry performance in front of packed throng of fans and music industry tastemakers spoke volumes. "It's almost like when an animal is in a small cage, but when you let it out it's running around like crazy," Dobson mused to PopEater at her New York showcase earlier this week. "That's how I feel when I'm onstage."
