„I’d say it’s somewhere between >I just won the lottery< and >I might throw up<.“

How did you get into music?

I’ve always loved music and always liked to sing, but I didn’t pick up the guitar until I was about 15. A good friend of mine also started playing then and we taught ourselves. We became a band that was basically a sort of wannabe Simon and Garfunkel thing and we played all the time. We even made a full length record when we were 17.

You’re not a newbie in music business, your first full-length album came out in 2012. What changed through the years and are you still as passionate about making music as you probably were at the beginning of your career?

When my first record came out Spotify wasn’t really a thing. Streaming hadn’t really taken off yet and vinyl was still a pretty small niche market. All of that has changed which is exciting. And, yes, I’m still very passionate. The fact that anyone would care to listen to what I write and record still blows my mind.

You partly wrote ‘In Deepest Blue’ in Nashville – the home of the blues and cradle of all great musicians in history. Tell us something about this experience.  Were you lucky to meet some of your idols?

I only wrote a couple of songs in Nashville. A couple of those were from co-writing sessions which I had never done before. I was pretty nervous but they went really well. The songwriting down there is unbelievable. I have been very fortunate and been able to meet a few of my musical heroes, but not on that trip.

Your new album will be released in a few days. On a scale from ‘it’s snowing, what a surprise’ to ‘my favorite hockey team won’ how excited are you?

That’s a tricky scale. It’s a weird mix of excitement for people to hear it and anxiety, hoping people will love it. I’d say it’s somewhere between “I just won the lottery” and “I might throw up”.

What might we expect from the new songs and what was the most important moment for you in the process of creating?

I tried to approach storytelling from a new angle with these songs. For a lot of them I tried to put myself into someone else’s experience and to write about it as if it were my own.

The most important moment to me is always the recording process – where the song takes its final shape. I got to work with an amazing producer named John Raham (afterlife studios) in Vancouver and he did a fantastic job helping to find and craft each songs shape.

I’d love to work with more of my musical heroes too but I also dream of maybe one day writing a book or something. Who knows!

What is your suggested emotional and mental mood or time to listen to your music?

Probably more of a pensive or reflective mood. But I think, or, I hope that it will meet each listener where they’re at. I don’t know. If you’re looking for some EDM or something then it’s probably not the record to spin.

What does music in general mean to you personally?

That’s a hard question. It’s a mysterious and powerful thing. It connects people regardless of age or gender and can even surpass language barriers. It has been there for me every time I’ve needed it and, even though I don’t really understand it, I absolutely love it.

It seems loads of Canadian bands and artists become successful in Europe these days. Do you have a bigger fan base in Canada still and do you notice cultural differences on your concerts for example?

I think the fan base in Canada is pretty close to the fan base in Europe. It might be a little bigger over here. There are always small differences when you play in different countries but it hasn’t been anything too major. I wish I could speak more than one language though. I think that would come in handy.

You’re currently supporting SYML on some of his European tour dates. Will there be a headline tour around the world for you as well soon?

I hope so! With the new record coming out February 23 I’m hoping to be on the road a lot this year.

It’s always important to dream, even if it seems still so far away. If I could make your musically dreams come true – what would you desire for?

Oh, man. I’d love to be able to keep doing this for a long time, to continue to write, record and release music I love and believe in. That’s the main thing. I’d love to work with more of my musical heroes too but I also dream of maybe one day writing a book or something. Who knows!

Thank you so much for your time and all the efforts to answer my questions! I wish you a lot of great experiences in Germany!

Thank you so much.

Interview conducted by Maria