Your new album, “Above the Clouds and On the Ground”, marks a shift from your familiar commercial country sound. What inspired this change in direction?
The biggest inspiration for this change was personal growth. I got sober about five years ago and experienced an immense shift in my approach to life. I got married, became a father, and have a new outlook on what’s important in life. Musically, I wanted to break free of the constraints of writing for radio and instead write music that meant something to me with the hopes that it would move people in the same way.
You’ve had a successful career in Canadian country music, earning national recognition over the past 15 years. What was the biggest challenge in stepping outside that sound for this record?
I think that the biggest challenge was leaving the music that I identified with in the past. It’s very easy to do what you’ve always done, especially when it’s worked for you in the past, so this was a huge leap of faith, but I couldn’t imagine continuing on any other way. It’s been very difficult to be vulnerable in the lyrics, but that is a part of music and songwriting, and it’s important to be truthful in your music because I feel that it shines through.
Chris Burke-Gaffney, known for his work with MacKenzie Porter and Chantal Kreviazuk, produced the album. What was it like working with him, and how did he help shape the new sonic landscape of this project?
Chris and I met back in 2014 when I was selected to showcase at the Americana Music Festival in Nashville. He was one of the industry professionals that was on the panel. Afterwards we chatted because he liked my voice and the songs that I had showcased. I’d never worked with him in the studio but we had written a couple of songs together and had some success with those tracks.
When I approached him about writing this album, he expressed interest in producing it especially when I discussed the content and the approach of a more Americana-style album. Working with him in the studio is like no other. He truly brought all of the songs to the next level. His input on the lyrics, the vocal stylings, the vocal melodies, and the instrument arrangements was second to none. This album would not be what it is without his expertise. We had a vision and a focus, and he dialed it right in.
The album blends Americana, country, folk-rock, and folk-pop influences. Were there any particular artists or albums that inspired this fusion of styles?
The Bros Landreth out of Winnipeg – they had an incredible album they released a couple of years ago and this had a big impact on me. Donovan Woods, another Canadian artist, is a big inspiration both lyrically and musically. And I would be remiss if I didn’t mention Vince Gill who is my all-time favorite artist. He’s a beautiful songwriter and obviously an excellent musician.
Your personal milestones—marriage, fatherhood, and sobriety—played a big role in this album’s creation. How do these experiences come through in your songwriting?
I think I went into the album with my family and my sobriety in mind. I wanted to have a nice mix of songs that included these elements in some capacity. I think if you listen to the album from front to back, you get a sense of what I mean. There are some songs that are sad yes, and some are based off experiences I’ve had with my wife. But the inspiration comes from those tough times, nonetheless. Again, it’s important for me to be truthful in the writing and I believe that will shine through and connect with others.
You’ve performed at major events like the Grey Cup, Canadian Country Music Week, and the Americana Music Festival in Nashville. How do you think your live performances have evolved with this new music?
I think a lot of those performances in the past were based on presenting a product which was the polished music and a polished performance. If I look back, a lot of the performances were based on an image I was trying to uphold. The performances now focus on emotion and the delivery of the songs themselves.
Looking back on your journey in the music industry, what lessons have you learned that influenced the way you approached this album?
Some of the biggest lessons for me were making sure that I was prepared for the album and that I had a plan for it some cohesiveness between the songs. I think for my 2015 album, I was able to get better at that than the previous 2009 album but overall, for this new album, I felt that these songs all make sense together and they are intertwined. Some of the songs on the album are from ten years ago, while others are from two years ago, but they are all close to my heart for one reason or another.
With the shift in sound, do you feel like your audience has changed? Have longtime fans embraced this new direction?
There have been a few longtime fans that have embraced this new sound. I can feel a bit of distance between other fans of my music which, although it’s uncomfortable, it is expected. Simply put, you’re not going to please everyone!
The title Above the Clouds and On the Ground suggests a balance between dreaming big and staying grounded. How does this theme play out across the ten tracks?
I think there’s a nice blend from the first track to the tenth track. There are songs about dreaming big – being up in the clouds madly in love – while other songs bring you back down to the ground and talk about the harsh reality of sobriety and making amends with the people that you love and haven’t been there for.
I’ve tried to maintain cohesiveness with the songs between one another. If you look at the first 3 songs, they are more about that harsh reality and about sobriety, followed by more upbeat pop style songs about love, well the next few songs again bring you back down to ground level about love and loss.
What’s next for you? Will you be touring with this record, and are there any collaborations or projects in the works that fans should keep an eye out for?
I plan to tour around to promote the album, dates are yet to come. The plan is to perform in intimate settings, house parties or coffee shops.
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