A chat with Canadian songstress Chantal Kreviazuk is a lot like the saying of grace at Thanksgiving dinner.

That's because life right now for the alluring artist couldn't be any sweeter.

From her year-old marriage to Our Lady Peace's Raine Maida ("I have the best husband in the world," she gushes), to a recent acting turn in a Toronto production of The Vagina Monologues -- and finally to her current opening stint for the Barenaked Ladies (which stops at the Saddledome on Wednesday), it is, as the kids say, all good.

And she thinks she knows why.

"I suppose it is from the fact that I do write my own music and I write real music," Kreviazuk says.

"I think that maybe that's been why I've been a candidate to be exposed to some incredible opportunities.

"It must be really difficult with people who are manufactured pop (artists). ... It must be really empty for those people because all they're experiencing is the fame and the money."

Not that Chantal hasn't attained a degree of fame, especially in Canada. It's just that her climb has been a consistent one that's been due to two solid albums -- most recently 1999's Colour Moving and Still -- and constant touring.

And, for the Winnipeg musician, the slow route is the route that suits her best.

"... When things happen overnight, there's a fear of losing it overnight," she says.

"And I don't want to lose it because I feel like I have way more to keep it for -- there's way more at stake."

One of the major things that's giving her life and career new meaning is her involvement with War Child Canada, an organization that raises funds and awareness for victims of international conflicts.

She and Maida have become heavily involved, recently spending time in Iraq filming a TV documentary to air in April.

The cause, she says, has affected her life and her art profoundly.

"I think it's something that will become one of my life's passions and I'm really really blessed that I'm able to do that through music," Kreviazuk says.

"It's giving me an incentive to continue on the path that I'm on and maybe even to connect with a greater audience, because I'll have a greater voice the greater my audience is.

"So, if it means a little bit of compromising, or it means being a little more strategic, or calculating about what songs are on an album, or being aware of a hit, that's stuff that I will do for this."

As to when we can expect a new album from her, Kreviazuk seems to be enjoying things right now too much to care.

"I'm exploring a lot ... I've done a little accidental writing and I've done a little conscious writing, so there are a bunch of things going on," she says.

"But I don't think (you can expect a new album) for a little while."

By: Mike Bell