Imagine travelling across the country to ask your neighbour if you can visit sometime.

Canadian singer-songwriter Kathleen Edwards is planning on doing just that when she comes from her home in Hamilton to play the mainstage at Folk Fest today.

"Garnet Rogers has a horse farm, I keep trying to get him to invite me over so I can see his horses. So far, I haven't had any luck, so maybe I can work that magic a little this weekend," Edwards says about wanting to see the Canadian folk legend's rural Ontario home.

Shouldn't been too much trouble for Edwards, who's been working that magic since her debut album Failer was released in 2003. After incessant touring for Failer and its follow-up, 2004's Back to Me, the Juno-nominated artist is taking her time with a new album.

"I did two records pretty close together and I'm just ready to clear the slate, maybe dig a little deeper ... I'll kind of settle into fall and hopefully write a new record.

"The good thing about taking time is that I'm going to be able to write songs that are reflective of where I am now. I already see my record being about something consistently thematic."

Edwards has several songs ready for a new album, but she'll be keeping them to herself.

"There were a few songs I played a TON of and then recorded them and they ended up being the hardest songs to record because I'd been playing them for a year."

Edwards, who last graced Calgary's Folk Fest in 2003, brings with her a pared down act (featuring her husband Colin Cripps on guitar) and a relaxed, easy-going attitude.

"I've gotten to a place in my career where I've had some time off and I know I'm so lucky to be playing music, I'm so honoured that I get to come to places like Calgary and sing my own songs."