For Kathleen Edwards, the journey back to music wasn’t a simple return—it was a rediscovery.
The acclaimed Canadian singer-songwriter, known for her raw, introspective storytelling and beloved albums like Failer and Total Freedom, has never been one to follow the expected path. After reaching international acclaim in her early 20s, she made the bold decision to step away from the industry in 2014, swapping tour buses for coffee cups as she opened Quitters Coffee in her hometown of Stittsville.
Her 2020 comeback album, Total Freedom, marked not just a return, but a reinvention—an artist re-emerging with clarity and purpose. Since then, Edwards has embraced a steady creative flow, releasing heartfelt covers of artists who shaped her, including R.E.M., Tom Petty, and Bruce Springsteen. With her latest single, Sweetness Follows, and a North American tour on the horizon, she’s entering a new chapter—one that feels more authentic than ever.
Photography by Michael Dunn
You’ve described your childhood self as being very disciplined when it came to music. Looking back, where do you think that drive came from?
My mother deserves all the credit on this one. No kid is genuinely disciplined enough to stay at an instrument for 30 minutes a day, which is the bare minimum required to learn anything. My weekly violin lessons and structured practice schedule were at the heart of my success—and thankfully, my mom, an accomplished pianist and music teacher, knew that. She really helped me succeed.
Looking back on the success of Failer when you were in your early 20s, what was the most surprising aspect of that initial success?
Honestly, the scariest part was realizing how unprepared I was for all of it and how much credit I was getting while still learning so much every day. It’s surreal being thrust into new situations where people assume you’ll just handle it. I was lucky to have an incredible group of musicians around me—they protected me, encouraged me, and helped me through moments where I felt completely in over my head.
You took a hiatus from music around 2014 and opened Quitters Coffee in Stittsville. What led to that decision?
Mostly burnout. I had been making albums, touring, writing, and recording for over a decade without a real break. It’s exciting, but it’s also a rollercoaster—exhausting in ways you don’t realize until it catches up with you. I was depressed, and stepping away from music gave me permission to pause and unpack everything I’d experienced. It gave me perspective, and I’m truly glad I made that choice.
What advice would you give to others at a similar crossroads in their own life?
No decision is permanent. The things that once brought you purpose can go on the back burner if they no longer fulfill you—and you can always come back to them. It’s like riding a bike: even if you take a break, you won’t forget how. You might need time to find your rhythm again, but when you do, you appreciate it in a whole new way. I didn’t stop being a musician just because I needed to stop playing for a while.
How did running a coffee shop influence your perspective on life and music?
Opening Quitters gave me the gift of community. The people who became regulars—young mothers, seniors, entrepreneurs, students, dog walkers, even fans who traveled just for a coffee—enriched my life in ways I’ll always be grateful for. And the staff became like family. It wasn’t easy being a boss, having tough conversations, or dealing with the constant demands of running a business, but my hard work was rewarded in relationships that truly mattered. Selling to Equator was tough, but I have no regrets—it was time.
In 2020, you released Total Freedom, marking your return after several years. When did you realize you wanted to write music again, let alone a full album?
Around 2017, Maren Morris invited me to Nashville for a writing session. I took a few days off from the coffee shop and, by the time I got home, I felt like I had just dipped my toe back into something that made me feel alive again. That experience reignited the spark, and I started writing whenever I could until Total Freedom came together. Its release was bittersweet—2020 wasn’t ideal for a proper tour—but the joy was in making the album and sharing it, even if the world wasn’t ready for live music yet.
You’ve recently released a collection of covers, including songs by Tom Petty, Jason Isbell, and Bruce Springsteen. How did you select those tracks, and what do they mean to you?
That project was really just a thank-you—to the songs and musicians who inspired me so deeply that they made me fall in love with music in the first place. Covering their work was my way of honoring that influence.
You’re starting your North American tour in April. How are you feeling about returning to the road, and what can fans expect from your upcoming performances?
I’ll be playing with a full band—which is really how I wish I could perform all the time. Our shows are incredibly musical and intense; it’s the sound I’ve always imagined for myself. It’s funny to think that after five albums, I’ve finally found the sound I’ve been chasing all along. I’m so lucky to have extraordinary musicians with me every night, and it’s still such a joy to play songs from all my albums—especially when fans sing along to every word.
As someone who grew up in Ottawa, how would you describe the city to someone who’s never been?
For me, Ottawa isn’t just Parliament Hill or the Byward Market—it’s personal. It’s the smell of pine forests near the Greenbelt, spring snowbanks melting, and bike rides to the Nepean Sportsplex. It’s Barrymore’s from the early 2000s, Songbird Music on Gladstone, dog walks at Bruce Pit, drives to Wakefield, and those little gems of Vietnamese food on Somerset. It’s also being back at my parents’ house in Nepean, where they still live.
Can you share some of your favorite restaurants or food spots in Ottawa?
There are so many places I still want to try—Arlo, Giulia, Cantina Gia—but Riviera is my favorite. It’s beautifully designed, the bar is staffed by incredibly talented people, and the food is exquisite with world-class service. If you’re after something more casual, Wiches Cauldron in Stittsville is unbeatable for lunch. The owners mean a lot to me, and their soups and sandwiches are fantastic. Plus, Craig’s playful banter always makes for a great visit.
How has living in Florida influenced your music and lifestyle? Is there anything you miss about Ottawa in the spring?
Living in Florida has been a wonderful new chapter—full of adventure and, especially, gardening. It’s very different from home, but I’ve worked in the U.S. my entire adult life and have many incredible friendships here. Still, every spring, I miss Ottawa’s fresh air, the familiar smells of melting snow, and that sense of renewal the season brings.
If you could go back and offer advice to your younger self, just before the success of Failer, what would it be?
I’ll give you four pieces of advice because they’re all important:
You know who you are—don’t let anyone convince you otherwise.
Give yourself grace when you make mistakes. Nobody gets it all right.
There’s a silver lining in every hard moment.
Connection is the heart of your work—and it’s the real reward.
