5 Things Calgary Musician Chantal Vitalis Loves

Best known as the lead guitarist and co-songwriter for the vintage rock ’n’ roll band The Lovebullies, Chantal Vitalis is as beloved for her smokin’ guitar skills (Feist touted them at a recent Calgary show) as she is for her playful rapport onstage with her bandmates. It’s when she sits at the kitchen table in her Bankview home surrounded by the art, people and animals she loves, however, that Vitalis shines brightest.

Born in Holland to Dutch-Indonesian parents, Vitalis learned to play guitar by sneaking the acoustic from her brother’s room when she was meant to be practising oboe for the school band. Later, a high school buddy taught her to play Hendrix and The Who over lunchtime.

After 15 years as a Lovebully (she also works part-time as a facilities co-ordinator for Getty Images), Vitalis admits that she still gets nervous before gigs. Regardless — playing with the band is one of the most joyful things in her life of many joys. Watch for a new Lovebullies album to drop later this year. Read on for what keeps Vitalis inspired.

Chantal Vitalis’s High Five

From her spouse to a hand-built guitar, the musician tells us about a few of her favourite things.

“These blown-glass figures were made in Canmore with ash from people we loved and lost — my father; my wife, Sandi’s, mother; and friend and guitarist, Kevin Herring. They sit on our fireplace mantel where we also keep a candle that we light to honour someone who died or to give hope to a friend who might be in trouble.” (fireweedglassstudio.ca)

“This guitar was made by my friend, Peter Clarke, who is married to my bandmate, Joni Brent. He made it out of an assortment of components, and his sister put a vintage button I love on the neck. When I pick up this guitar, or any of my guitars, it inspires me to write songs and, of course, to play — I always want to learn and get better.”

“Caroline Connolly [the Lovebullies’ lead singer and co-songwriter] took this photo, Muddy Horses, early on in her print-making journey, and it’s such a stunner. Caroline is the most talented DIY person I know. She’s a natural at whatever she puts her hand to.”

“I’ve been with Sandi for 34 years. She inspires me every day. She never stops creating — she’s a filmmaker and a writer, a lighting designer, and a mentor to the film community. She inspires me to be a better person. She’s very grounding, whereas I can be a bit of a helium balloon.”

“Can I choose my cats as an inspiration? They’re sister-rescues from AARCS [Alberta Animal Rescue Crew Society]. Amazingly, when we went to get them, they already had names that were [my] and Sandi’s nicknames: Shanti (Vitalis goes by “Chanty”) and Sam. It was so weird. We renamed them Willow and Fern. They’re graceful and mischievous and naughty and loving and curious. I love having that cat energy around me.”

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