Acclaimed singer/songwriter Jeffery Straker’s latest album, Dirt Road Confessional, is now available through Acronym Records. The Saskatchewan native’s cross-Canada tour kicks off in Saskatoon on May 25, with a European jaunt slated for late summer [see full schedule below].
As evidenced by the infectious track “Boom Boom“, Dirt Road Confessional pushes the boundaries of what it means to be a piano balladeer. Utilizing themes both contemplative and joyous, the 12-song collection encapsulates Straker’s experiences of playing over 200 shows around the world since the release of his previous album, 2015’s North Star Falling.
Straker regularly draws comparisons to a young Billy Joel or Elton John, with touches of Rufus Wainwright and Harry Nilsson thrown in, but on Dirt Road Confessional his personal storytelling style has evolved by leaps and bounds. At the same time, he was determined to explore different approaches in the studio, which led the album to be constructed out of five separate sessions.
Daniel Ledwell (Jenn Grant) produced three songs in Nova Scotia, Royal Wood co-wrote two songs and co-produced them with Lawrence Katz in L.A., Dean Drouillard (Justin Rutledge, Amelia Curran) produced two songs in Toronto—where an additional track was also laid down with Robyn Dell’Unto—and Murray Pulver (The Bros. Landreth) co-produced the balance with Brad Prosko during sessions in Regina.
Despite the many hands being involved in the end result, the foundation of Dirt Road Confessional is Straker’s unwavering sonic vision for the record and its story about finding love while at the same time finding the courage to pursue one’s art. That tug of war inspired the creative strides Jeffery Straker has made on Dirt Road Confessional, an album that confirms his status as one of Canada’s most gifted singer/songwriters.
Jeffery Straker Tour Dates
May 25 – Saskatoon SK @ Broadway Theatre
May 26 – Edmonton AB @ The Almanac
May 27 – Lloydminster AB @ The Root
May 31 – Winnipeg MB @ West End Cultural Centre
June 1 – Souris MB @ Wood Fire Deli
June 2 – Minnedosa MB @ Inspire Gallery
June 4 – Quill Lakes SK @ house concert
June 8/9 – Regina SK @ Artesian
June 11 – Weyburn SK @ Weyburn Calvary Baptist Church
June 16 – North Battleford SK @ TBA
June 19 – Lethbridge AB @ McKillop United (Lethbridge Pride)
June 23 – Ottawa ON @ Harmony Haven Concerts
June 28 – Toronto ON @ Hugh’s Room
July 5 – Hamilton ON @ Artword Artbar
July 9 – Mont Carmel PEI @ Mont Carmel Concert Series
July 14 – Sudbury ON @ Fromagerie
July 15 – Manitoulin ON @ Maja’s
July 27-29 – Calgary AB @ Calgary Folk Fest
Aug 9 – Kelowna BC @ Parks Alive Concert Series
Aug 12 – Enderby BC @ Lorenzo’s Cafe
Aug 13 – Vancouver BC @ Café Deux Soleils
Aug 15 – Sicamous BC @ Owlhead Creek B&B
Aug 16 – Canmore AB @ TBC
Aug 17 – Medicine Hat AB @ TBC
Aug 18 – Sept 3 European Tour
Sept 8/9 – Fredericton NB @ Lansdowne House
Sept 16 – Halifax NS @ Patchwork Concerts
Sept 22 – Durham ON @ Garafraxa Theatre
Sept 23 – Manitoulin ON @ Cafe In the Woods
Sept 29 – Wakefield QC @ Black Sheep
Sept 30 – Kemptville ON @ The Branch
More to be announced!
Hello,
I just realized that we covered this album before it’s release, sorry
Ah well. Have a good day. I’m off to the woods.
Hello hello! Enjoy your day in the woods, Benoit!
Thanks! Off now…
Good morning!
The new Do Make Say Think is really good.
http://domakesaythink.com/
I always say that band’s name wrong
Scary Bear Soundtracked tweeted yesterday that the would have a new song today, but I haven’t heard it yet.
*Scary Bear Soundtrack… didn’t mean to past tense the band.
Good morning everyone!
Jeffery Straker has been on here before but I am sure he won’t mind. 😉
I look forward to checking out that Scary Bear Soundtrack as well.
For the next couple weeks I will be listening and relistening to albums at the top of my Polaris list. I have narrowed it down to 15 at the moment and have to get down to just 5 by June 6. Oh the pressure!
Good luck with the heavy duty listening, Darbar! When this is all said and done, and if your’e able to talk about it, I’d love to hear about your experience, and some of your favourites!
Here’s the new Scary Bear Soundtrack tune:
https://scarybearsoundtrack.bandcamp.com/track/asian-fetishist-3
It doesn’t sound anything like their Searchlight song from a few years back (The Longest Night, I believe), but I liked it.
Well Grant isn’t there now to stir things up so it has been pretty calm so far. People recommending an album and others saying I agree with this. There are a few comments saying I disagree but it has all been very drama free. So far…
Hmm yes I prefer Scary Bear Soundtrack’s sound before more. This is too far into the pop and not enough of the electro/synth for my taste.
The lyrics are the thing for that song I guess. That I can get behind.
Hey Darbar… I look forward to your Polaris list!
All I know for sure at this point is Royal Canoe will be on my ballot.
Yeah, I definitely liked the lyrics of the song!
Royal Canoe played Portland a while back… great show.
They promised me they would come to Regina last year but they haven’t shown up yet. I couldn’t make their Saskatoon show and made me sad. Their layers and syncopation are what get me the most.