Ember Swift doesn’t like being asked to classify her music into one genre. Actually, she hates the question.

Despite her feelings, many have tried to categorize the native Canadian, but she says she is not interested in being labeled one way or the other.

She says her music comes from more than just listening to different musical styles.

“Many people don’t realize that music can be influenced by non music things,” Swift says.

For Swift, music is influenced by life experiences. Anything from her mood, the season, the climate or a broken heart can influence the type of music she produces. Her music comes more from inside herself than from something she’s heard on the radio, she says.

Swift began performing live when she was 10 and has not stopped since. She is self-taught on the guitar and percussion and is a trained pianist. She used to play predominantly on the piano but says she soon found a new outlet.

“I really fell in love with the guitar as a creative instrument,” Swift says. “It sounded more inspiring to write music on the guitar, so it’s been my primary instrument for the last four years.”

A large part of Swift’s time is spent on the road. She performs about 200 shows each year and enjoys getting the chance to see and do new things.

“[I like] the amazing geographies we get to see,” Swift says. “The history we’ve gone through and the people that we meet. People teach us so much.”

Swift says she has been writing her own music since she was nine and has seven albums under her belt. She has recently started collaborating lyrically with long-time friend and band member Lyndell Montgomery. Her newest album, “Stilt Walking,” includes three songs co-written by the pair.

She holds most of the creative control, which means her songs stem from her beliefs, Swift says. Swift is a committed activist and her music contains many socially conscious themes.

“It’s an amazing chemical equation to mix activism and art,” Swift says. “It’s a beautiful union. It’s just not creation, but it’s smart creation to use our platforms to do good.”

Swift says other musicians of today who are not using the power of music to address strong topics are not doing anything wrong in her eyes.

“I’m not sitting back criticizing the music that doesn’t combine art and activism,” Swift says. “I’m celebrating the music that is.”

Swift started her own record company, Few’ll Ignite Sound, and is the only artist represented by the independent label. She feels very strongly about remaining independent in order to maintain total creative control over her music.

“We found out early on that is it really important for a musician to maintain ownership of their art,” Swift says. “In order to maintain ownership, you need the right tools and resources.”

Swift says Few’ll Ignite Sound helps musicians and acts as a resource center for other people.

“I really like the community that its created,” Swift says. “I don’t feel comfortable profiting off of other people’s art.”

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Who: Ember Swift

Where: Maintenance Shop

When: 8 p.m.Tuesday

Cost: $4 students, $6 public