It has been a busy year for Canadian born artist Peaches. Her album Rub launched in September 2015 and was shortlisted for the Polaris Prize. Just a few months ago she was a guest curator for the Sled Island Festival. Now in the midst of a world tour, she performs at The Needle in Edmonton September 25^th and Commonwealth Stage in Calgary September 26^th.

On the line during a traffic jam from the airport in Chicago, Peaches was just a week removed from the debut of her latest video Sick in the Head.

"The costume and make up idea was because I was working with this all girl tribute band called Black Sabbitch in LA. We did War Pigs for Halloween so I had that costume made. I thought it was a great look so I decided to team it up with something from my live show. I have this large inflatable that I walk over on the audience that is featured in the Dick in the Air video with Margaret Cho. This is shot in that, we blew it up and did live lighting with it. There is a very small hole so we decided the best camera to use was an iPhone 6 and then I just performed in the condom."

The start of the video features her putting in hair extensions, make up and getting dressed. It’s a look into her typical preshow routine.

"Kind of like that except the hair extensions are glued in for good. There is no real big ritual just put on the makeup and get going," she said, explaining she doesn’t need much to prepare mentally for her show. "I am singing the songs and get into it. Talking to you is different from being on stage when you are singing and communicating with 1000 or 5000 people instead of one on one. It is a different kind of communication in general."

The critically acclaimed Rub album was recorded over a year in Peaches garage at her house in LA. The result features songs that are both sexy and thought provoking. One of the standouts is Vaginoplasty.

"I was starting to hear reports of really young teenage girls getting vaginoplasty because they were worried it didn’t look right or they were worried boys wouldn’t like what it looked like. I thought that was a horrible setback for insecurity of women and super dangerous and super unnecessary. There was a documentary that said it was 300% on the rise in the UK. The best part about this is they did a survey of men and they don’t really care what the vagina looks like as long as they can get it."

When not on the road, Peaches splits her time between Berlin and Los Angeles.

"I like to just live in any place that will give me enough headspace to create. In Berlin it is a pretty safe city, you can walk everywhere or ride your bike and normal shit. It’s not too expensive and a lot is going on creatively in the arts. It’s not hype crazy it is manageable."

Peaches was thrilled to learn about recent safe space inclusionary steps in Alberta schools. As someone who has long been a proponent of LGBT rights she continues to watch the challenges and forward movement both in Canada and the USA.

"We just see where people are at don’t we? We see very progressive ideas and very conservative ideas. It is growing exponentially in both directions so we just have to keep fighting the good fight," she said, acknowledging that her music does impact people gay and straight. "Some people really need to know that it’s ok and feel comfortable in their own body. If my music can help great, I want to be inclusive."

For her upcoming shows, expect a set list focusing on Rub. Peaches is thrilled to return to Canada with her show that has received rave reviews. She promises a memorable night.

"It is very special. I have never played in Saskatoon or Victoria. With this album I am getting a bit more love in Canada then I have on other albums which is nice. Almost every song is from the album, it is based on this album. Just a very entertaining, fun and high energy show. It is something that you want to be there and experience because there are things about the show that will never be able to be experienced by watching it on the internet. Being there is a part of it."

In an industry that is often cookie cutter, Peaches stands out as a unique artist both in the recording studio and on stage. She’s definitely made a lasting impact on her fans and will continue to do so.

"I just keep doing it. I don’t listen to people that tell me I am a one trick pony. I used to be seen as a weirdo and now apparently I’m important."