As a little girl, Karen Larson gave herself two choices: become a famous artist or become a famous singer.

A few decades and three kids later, Larson is working on the latter.

The Richmond singer-songwriter released her first album in April, plays various spots around town and is already working on a second collection of songs.

Born in Victoria as "a navy brat," Larson spent half her childhood in the Maritimes, half on Vancouver Island.

Her life changed in 1987 at a U2 concert at B.C. Place. Lead singer Bono had his fans on edge, including Larson, who said his passion and ability to reach people packed into the stadium made her realize this is what she was meant to do.

The thought never left her mind, and 11 years ago, a Julie Blue performance-songwriting workshop gave Larson her start. She taught herself to play guitar and began performing.

She had a three-year-old at the time and two more kids followed. They might have slowed her down then, but they're now inspiring her to reach for the stars.

Her first independent production, Fire and Ice, came out in April, a mix of rootsy country-tinged pop and jazzy, honest blues.

Larson's next local performance is Tuesday, Nov. 10 at the Sheraton Vancouver Airport Hotel, 7551 Westminster Hwy. during the Richmond Society for Community Living fundraising evening, which goes from 7 to 10 p.m. Tickets, $50, available at 604-279-7040 and include hors d'oeuvres, auctions and prizes. Visit www.karenlarson.ca for more details.

What was it about that U2 concert that got you hooked?

"It was the band. I loved them anyway, but to actually see Bono live, he was so inspirational. I think there was 55,000 people at that concert. I've been to concerts at B.C. Place where people are fighting on the way out, and there's trouble. This concert, all these people were filing out calmly at the end of the show singing one of their very mellow songs. It was incredible. I thought, 'This is what I want to do.'"

What do you think of the evolution of that band?

"I like that they're kind of going back to their rock roots again. They did lose me after the Rattle and Hum album...but I still admire Bono for being out there and his honesty."

Is there anyone in your life that gave you your musical sense?

"I think it was my mom's side of the family—all those Maritime people. They're very open, passionate people. One of my uncles, when I was five, six years old he played guitar and he'd let me sing with him when we were in Prince Edward Island. My parents too, music was huge for them—they were always playing music."

What inspired you to write the songs on Fire and Ice?

"This particular collection was written over a 10-year period. It was different relationships I'd been in. I was a single mom for awhile—that was a tough time—and then meeting my new partner who plays piano for me and co-produced the album. It was a collection of things that I had to get myself through over 10 years. We're working on a second album now, and my songs are maybe not as heavy. They still have an honest feel about them. It's still all about personal experiences, but I'm just trying different things now. I'm throwing in roots rock."

Where do you hope music will take you?

"I hope music will take me to a sustainable living, because I know it's just what I need to do, it's so hard to do anything else. And most of all, I want to do what Bono did that time: I want to reach people. I've had people e-mail me and tell me how a song of mine was life-changing for them. They connected to it, to hear that somebody else was feeling what they were—they weren't alone. That's a good feeling."