'You don’t have to follow the path. Sometimes you can set your own' (14 photos)

She’s a little bit country, a little bit bluesy, and a whole lotta heart. Crystal Shawanda delighted Friday night’s Machine Shop crowd with a career-spanning performance that included the title track from her latest release, Fish Out Of Water.

Being multi-genre can be difficult and confusing, Shawanda told SooToday during a recent phone interview. “Everyone is comfortable fitting you into a box.”

And even after all this time writing, singing and performing, she still struggles to find where she belongs.

“I’m really lucky that the music industry in Canada has really embraced me as a multi-genre artist,” said Shawanda, who became a mom this past February. “I feel like if I really spread myself out there, then I can make my daughter proud and show her that you don’t always have to follow the path. Sometimes you can set your own.”

Recording Fish Out Of Water and it’s title track was an empowering experience, she admitted, adding the she felt that if she could relate to the material, then everybody else would as well.

Friday’s setlist also included The Whole World's Got the Blues, I’m With You, Slippin Away, Laid Back, I Need a Man, Skin Deep and of course, You Can Let Go.

The Sault's own Bone Yard warmed up the audience with an energetic opening set.

To read more of our interview with Crystal Shawanda, please click here.