Earlier this week I had the opportunity to speak with Canadian singer/songwriter Nelly Furtado while she was on tour across the country.

Don’t miss your chance to see her when she makes her stop in Montreal on January 30th at Theatre St Denis! You can win a pair of exclusive backstage passes AND tickets to her show here

Find out what she had to say about her current tour, her incredible fan base and what she’d still love to cross off her bucket list.

CONFRONT: How are you!

NELLY: I’m great! I’m just in Thunder Bay right now.

CONFRONT: Oh you’re in Thunder Bay? Did you have a busy day?

NELLY: Well I just had sound check, meet and greet and then I have my concert.

CONFRONT: Is that a routine day for you?

NELLY: When you’re on tour that’s usually how it goes. It’s sound check, meet and greets and then the show and sometimes there’s an after show meet and greet.

CONFRONT: How has this tour been for you so far?

NELLY: Really fun! Really Canadian. We’ve stepped out and done some winter things like ice skating and playing in the snow. It’s actually been really fun. It’s been really awesome and diverse crowds coming out to see the shows as well. It really puts things into perspective. After 12 years of making music it’s nice to have people who still want to hear your songs.

CONFRONT: And you’ll be in Montreal next week!

NELLY: Yes! At the St Denis Theater.

CONFRONT: Do you have a favorite thing about playing in this city?

NELLY: I really love the Biodome and exploring Old Montreal. I like all the variety of the restaurants and the small businesses.

CONFRONT: You mentioned how going on tour and seeing all your fans kind of puts everything into perspective for you. Do you have a moment that stands out in your mind the most from your career so far?

NELLY: I would say probably releasing an album in Spanish. It was an independent project and it was a great learning process. It created this whole new aspect for my career.

CONFRONT: It must have opened new doors for you.

NELLY: It did! It introduced me to a whole new set of musicians and a new musical team who really welcomed me. I would say that had a big impact for me.

CONFRONT: Is there any news for a new album in the near future?

NELLY: I’ve already started on a Spanish follow up as well as an English album. I’m also just creating some beats and working to record a full length in Portuguese.

CONFRONT: Oh wow! There are more doors to open that way!

NELLY: Exactly. I’m very excited about finally recording a full length in Portuguese. The timing is perfect now. I don’t like to do things until the time is right and usually I just kind of know when that is and I just do it.

CONFRONT: Fans have a lot to look forward to.

NELLY: Yes!

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Multi-platinum-selling singer, songwriter, producer, dancer, and actress Nelly Furtado's career took off in 2001, shortly after she released her debut album Whoa, Nelly! The album went on to sell some six million copies worldwide and the hit "I'm Like a Bird" was one of the most successful singles, launching her career far into the sky. I had the pleasure of dining with Furtado and found her to be a down-to-earth free spirit, even though she has won more than 50 international prizes and honors, including a Grammy, Latin Grammy and 10 Juno Awards. Active in a number of philanthropies, in 2011, she announced that she was donating $1,000,000 to the Free the Childrencharity.

Furtado took a moment out from preparing for her Spirit Indestructible world tour to chat with me about creativity, chemistry, failure and the joy of spreading positivity.

Q. What was your first job and what lessons did you take away?

A. One of my first jobs was working as a chamber maid at a small motel for snowbirds on the west coast of Canada, where I grew up. My mother hired me -- I was 12. It taught me a real sense of following through on a task, the accomplishment of a job well done, and an early lesson in financial management. I can also tuck bed corners really well.

Q. How do you find the right business partners and collaborators?

A. I have trusted fate, destiny and most of all my own intuition in choosing the people I work with. If I don't feel a creative, positive connection, it just doesn't happen. If it does, it's already happening before it's happened. It just clicks.

Q. How important is creativity to your work?

A. Creativity is the juice that keeps me alive. My main goal in life is to stay passionate -- whether that means honoring the muse, surrendering to the moment, leaving yourself open to spontaneity -- whatever it takes -- you need to live and feel in order to be creative, and relish your high moments and your low moments.

Q. When do you know it's time to walk away from a project that you've invested time and money into?

A. If the momentum is lost, the chemistry soured, or the relationship broken beyond repair, I usually walk away. If you are not having fun anymore, it's simply not worth it.

Q. What is the best business advice you ever received?

A. Don't be afraid to show your personality, individuality and confidence. Face-to-face self-marketing can be very powerful. It can also be an expression of creativity.

Q. With the proliferation of technology, do you think it's easier or harder for a young artist to breakthrough today?

A. I think it's quite a difficult climate for young artists, as the music business has less bounty nowadays. Yet a smart, well-informed musician, who is very passionate about music, can still make a decent living with hard work and dedication.

Q. How do you face criticism or failure?

A. I always remember that to be critiqued is part of being human; no one can escape it; it's the price you pay for putting your vulnerability on display as a creative person. Failure is very important, as it is inevitability in life. Incredible growth, self-realization and reflection comes from failure.

Q. How involved in every other part of the music business are you? I.e.,marketing, design, social media, etc.?

A. I have my own imprint, Nelstar records. I released my Spanish album on it, and we are about to release an album by an amazing singer-songwriter, Dylan Murray. In my own work, I love creative control. It's the purest form of expression. I demand it.

Q. Where do you get your inspiration to develop new work?

A. I love challenging myself. I like conquering new musical territory for myself. It's my hobby/obsession. I'm also newly inspired as an ambassador for Free The Children. I've been travelling to rural Kenya learning about education for girls. It's given new meaning to my music and my role as someone with a platform to spread positivity.

Q. As a young mother, what advice would you give to women juggling careers and families?

A. I would say: "Remember that you are setting an example by your work ethic;" "Throw guilt down the drain as it is a useless emotion"; and "Be the best mom you can possibly be."

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