Canadian artist Leeroy Stagger's latest album Strange Path will be out next month!
11 albums, 2 EPs and 17 years as a singer-songwriter has seen him develop a reputation as a masterful lyricist and exciting performer, garnering a strong following in his homeland, while also making inroads into both the UK and US in recent years.
Tomatrax caught up with Leeroy to ask a few questions.
What inspired you to become a musician?Seeing the Rolling Stones when I was 12. I just loved all of it, the guitars the lights and the crowd.
When did you write your first song?I was probably 18 writing lyrics for my punk band, they were awful.
You're about to release your latest album, how does it feel to have it finished?Well it's been finished for over a year but it feels great to get it out into the world. These songs mean a lot to me, so I'm excited to see if they mean a lot to other people as well
How does the album compare with your previous releases?It's better, we took a leap of faith and tried some new things on Strange Path but still kept a thread of continuity from Love Versus that seemed to make sense.
What made you pick the title Strange Path?The last few years have been all about following this path of a career in music and all of the ups and downs that come along with it. The push and pull of it all, I have a family at home with two kids to support so my emotions are firing all the time. There Is really no other way to describe it than Strange.
What made you pick 'Strange Attractor' as the album's single?It's just catchy as all get out, it's pretty out there for us. I like that its catchy and still saying something at the same time. A lot of pop music nowadays isn't really saying too much.
Storage Attractor reminds us that we are interconnected but nothing is permanent, might as well have fun and try to take care of each other.
You've put out 11 LPs and 2 EPs over the past 17 years, is it hard to keep coming up with new material?I don't know, It hasn't been in the past but right now I'm taking a break from writing songs, It's been well over a year since I've written one. I've got no desire to say what I've already said. I'm just searching to see what comes next. I've written a book that goes along with the album as well as been painting a lot. I'm not worried. It comes when it comes.
Do you ever listen to your own music?Sometimes, usually just to reference a song or something. Maybe a few years later just to see what I was up too.
What music do you listen to?Oh lots of other stuff, I have a radio show at home here in Canada on a Province wide station called CKUA, so I'm always listening to new stuff. I really like Sylvan Esso, Maggie Rogers, Nick Cave and The bad Seeds, Michael Franti, Xavier Rudd, my taste is pretty varied.
What do you have planned once the album is out?We tour a lot, I don't suspect that will change on this album cycle. I don't like to play too much. It takes the fun out of it all.
Check out Leeroy Stagger's website to find out more!
