The writer and podcaster Andrea Warner discusses her new book Buffy Sainte-Marie: The Authorized Biography (Greystone, 2018), knowing Sainte-Marie, her music, activism and more, with Joseph Planta.

Buffy Sainte-Marie: The Authorized Biography by Andrea Warner (Greystone, 2018). Click to buy this book from Amazon.ca: Buffy Sainte-Marie

Text of introduction by Joseph Planta:

I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver, at TheCommentary.ca.

Andrea Warner joins me again. Her new book, Buffy Sainte-Marie: The Authorized Biography is one of the highly anticipated books of the fall season. More than a biography that sketches out the early life, remarkable career, and the unparalleled work as a songwriter and an entertainer, the book gives us Sainte-Marie’s voice, as the author gives the reader candid insight about show business, her work, as well as the trauma of abuse. Sainte-Marie discusses her experience of childhood abuse, as well as intimate partner violence, as she offers her advice to those suffering. The book also provides a view onto the activism that Sainte-Marie has committed to from early on in her life, that continues today. What we get in this book is more than just a look back, but a look forward, because its author, as well as its subject, who is now seventy-seven years old, are actively engaged in decolonising and Indgenenising wherever they can. It’s a useful book in that regard. Andrea Warner writes about music, feminism, and popular culture. She was first on the program in 2015 when her first book We Oughta Know: How Four Women Ruled the ‘90s and Changed Canadian Music was published. It’s a great book about four remarkable artists, but it’s also a wonderful memoir. Ms. Warner is a contributor to CBC Music, Pitchfork, the Georgia Straight, and Exclaim! She was last on the program in 2016, with Lisa Christensen, her co-host of the podcast Pop This! which is a terrific podcast. This new book is published by Greystone Books. There will be an event, Sunday, 21 October 2018 at the York Theatre here in town, with Andrea in conversation with Buffy Sainte-Marie. That is part of the Vancouver Writers Fest. Visit www.writersfest.bc.ca for tickets. The website for more is at www.theandreawarner.com. Please welcome back to the Planta: On the Line program, Andrea Warner; Ms. Warner, good morning.

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