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Milner finding her voice

Whistler singer-songwriter debuts sophomore album at the Chan Centre’s The Live Sessions
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What: The Live Sessions with Ali Milner

When: Thursday, Oct. 1, 5 p.m.

Where: Telus Studio Theatre, Vancouver

Cost: $15 for adults, $10 for students

Ali Milner is Whistler's official singing and songwriting sweetheart, and as soon as you meet her, it's easy to see why. But beyond the fresh-faced, friendly façade, one only has to listen to her lyrics and bubbly music for their introduction to the talented 19-year-old musician.

"A touch from the shoulder, a look in your eyes, a drink in your hand and a flirty smile. Quick to the words that make a clever conversation, you pull at the seat and you lean in close, say all the things that I want to hear most." - lyrics from Crystal Clear.

Milner released her self-titled first album at the age of 14. It contained six original songs, either written by Milner herself or co-written with other artists.

"I like to co-write because I'm the kind of person that likes to bounce ideas off of other people and I'm totally inspired by others," she explained.

As impressive as that first effort proved to be, Milner's sound has grown in leaps and bounds as the musician's voice has developed, both literally and figuratively. She's moved away from that pure, unadulterated jazz feel and developed her own distinct, poppy take on the traditional, with results that often see her compared with the likes of famous songstresses like Fiona Apple, Sara Bareilles and Estelle. This new sound has been carefully captured on her second album, I Dare You , which will be released in just a few weeks.

"That'll be in my hands - the album - in two weeks," she said, smiling widely.

Since graduating from Whistler Secondary School two years ago, Milner has been hard at work, trying to get a full-time music career off the ground. She's spent the majority of this summer locked away in the studio in Vancouver, co-writing songs with Canadian music industry legends like Shaun Verreault, lead singer of Wide Mouth Mason, and Jim Valance, Bryan Adams' writing partner. She even had a hand in the design and artwork of the album, working hand-in-hand with a Vancouver-based designer to cultivate a modern yet vintage aesthetic that would match her new sound.

And while the work on I Dare You hasn't left a tonne of time for playing live gigs, the payoff was well worth the work, as the budding musician managed to produce a solid new product that she's extremely proud of.

"The first record was very jazz-oriented, it was with a trio I recorded with in Toronto. Now, I've sort of found my own feeling and stuff with my music and I'm just really in love with it," she said. "It's more jazz-pop with an old school soul, but a really modern twist."

And recognizing that timing is everything in this competitive industry, Milner's even co-ordinated the release of the new album with a very exciting gig with the Chan Centre. She's one of just three artists chosen for The Live Sessions, which will see her hitting the stage at the Telus Studio Theatre at UBC's Chan Centre, performing in an intimate, one-hour show, accompanied by strings and drums. The performance will then be edited down to a half-hour show to be aired on CBC Radio 2's Canada Live Show, for anyone who can't make it out to the real deal.

"The Chan Centre is such an amazing gig because the actual performance will take place in the smaller kind of studio-like side theatre. So that seats about 200, 300 people, so that'll be kind of an intimate thing, and the crowd gets to be part of a recording that will be broadcast all across Canada," Milner said.

As a born and bred Whistlerite, this young musician has also been clever enough to capitalize on all of the Olympic hoopla. She's already played at several Olympic and Paralympics countdown events, and even traveled to Beijing with Premier Gordon Campbell to represent Canada. But she isn't just paying the Games lip service for the benefit of her career. Milner is genuinely passionate about the Olympics that will descend on the province and the heart of her hometown in February.

"I feel like it's a very cool opportunity for Whistler and it's given me an incredible opportunity, so yeah, I'm pro-Olympic," she said after a moment of thought. "...To me, as a local artist, they've just given so many opportunities to people like me."

She's even hoping to get a chance to take the stage here at home during the main event, as part of the Whistler Live! programming.

Until then, she's busy rehearsing for the gig at the Chan Centre, creating the radio edit of her single "Crystal Clear," which will drop in about a week, and preparing to jet off to London, England where she's performing in Trafalgar Square for the Canadian Tourism Commission in early October.

With such a busy schedule, it would be easy to see why Milner could be a bit stressed out. But here's the thing - she isn't. Or at least, she doesn't seem to be. Pursuing her passion seems to be paying off, so far, for Whistler's sweetheart, so keep an eye out for her, and expect big things.

To hear some of Milner's latest music, visit www.myspace.com/alimilner .

The Live Sessions take place on three Thursday evenings. The first session, featuring Vancouver pop sensations, Hey Ocean!, was held on Sept. 17. Ali Milner performs on Oct. 1, and Jets Overhead close the sessions on Oct. 8.