To mark the release of his latest album Me And The Mountain, Leeroy Stagger sits down with Terry to discuss the inspiration behind the new collection of songs. The podcast includes the tracks “Broken Generation”, “Open Up Your Heart,” “Fire And Fury,” and “Caught in the Middle”.
Leeroy opens up about addressing a marital rough patch, and past trauma through the new record. Plus, he provides details on the companion album Strange Path due out in September 2019.
I knew Leeroy Stagger was working on and then releasing a new album. I was “waiting inthe weeds” for the first sign of it. (That’s what we “weedies” do)
I’m happy to report that the wait was worth it.
Love Versus is a marvelous collection of songs & storieswith structure, insight and melodies that linger in your head and heart.
I caught up with Leeroy by phone at the home ranch.
In a business filled with gotta be’s and would be’s Leeroy is a true original.Bless his heart
This is a breakthrough LP for Leeroy who grew up in Victoria and was a fixture on the Coast.
His 11th Lp
Killer band..has Elvis Costello’s drummer sitting in.
First music made in Leeroy’s new studio in Lethbridge
It’s been said before that love is a battlefield, and on his latest album Love Versus (out April 7, 2017 through True North Records), Leeroy Stagger comes well armed. The eleventh studio release by the Western Canadian native is also a milestone, marking the first recording made at Stagger’s home studio in southern Alberta. But more significantly, his ever-evolving fusion of roots, rock and pop reaches new heights on Love Versus, resulting in 10 tracks that confirm his status as one of Canada’s best contemporary singer/songwriters.
“Leeroy is one of the most insightful songwriters I have ever come across. He has a gift for distilling complex images, commentary and concepts into brilliantly succinct lyrical one liners,” says Geoff Kulawick, President, True North Records.
It’s not that Stagger needed much more validation; after working with acclaimed producers Russell Broom (Sam Roberts) and Steve Berlin (Los Lobos) on his previous two albums, Stagger teamed up with Colin Stewart (Dan Mangan, Black Mountain, Yukon Blonde) to produce Love Versus, and put together a dream band for the project. Longtime friend and collaborator Steve Bays (Hot Hot Heat, The Mounties) remixed and ‘reimagined’, as Stagger would say, the title song and single in Vancouver.
The cornerstone was Pete Thomas, longtime drummer for Elvis Costello, who came up from L.A. for the sessions, joining guitarist Paul Rigby (Neko Case), keyboardist Geoff Hilhorst (The Deep Dark Woods), and Stagger’s longtime bassist Tyson Maiko. Over the course of three weeks, they christened Stagger’s new studio, and in the process changed his perspective on his art.
What is most striking about Love Versus overall is the wisdom at the foundation of each track, and indeed, for anyone who has followed Stagger’s career to this point, it should be apparent that this is the album he’s been destined to make. Since first making his mark on the Canadian independent music scene at the turn of this century, Leeroy Stagger has toured the world, both on his own and with the likes of Steve Earle, Pixies, Modest Mouse and Evan Dando. After almost two decades of consistent output, Stagger certainly does have the respect of both his peers and Canada’s music industry tastemakers. However, the addition ofLove Versus to his (ahem) staggering body of work opens a new chapter, promising to reach many more ears.
Stagger has also announced a 10-date Western Canadian tour, kicking off March 17 at Panorama, BC and ending in Vancouver on April 22. Dates are below. Mar 17 8:00pm Panorama Ski Resort Panorama, BC Mar 18 8:00pm Panorama Ski Resort Panorama, BC Mar 24 8:00pm St. Basil’s Cultural Centre Edmonton, AB Mar 25 8:00pm The Bailey Theatre Camrose, AB Mar 26 8:00pm Tavern 1883 Canmore, AB Apr 19 9:00pm The Queens Nanaimo, BC Apr 20 8:00pm The Waverly Hotel Cumberland, BC Apr 21 8:00pm Sugar Nightclub Victoria, BC Apr 22 9:30pm Commodore Ballroom Vancouver, BC
Leeroy Stagger Website: http://leeroystagger.com
Leeroy Stagger on Twitter: https://twitter.com/leeroystagger
Leeroy Stagger on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leeroystaggermusic
Leeroy Stagger on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leeroystagger/
Just the way it worked out. The sacred steel of the Campbell Brothers is heard live Friday in Calgary at Festival Hall and Saturday at The Arden in Edmonton. Then Saturday on Mulligan Stew Chuck and Phillip Campbell guest. Their latest release is Beyond These 4 Walls. Also on a busy weekend The Palomino in Calgary welcomes the three amigos Dustin Bentall, Ridley Bent & Leeroy Stagger, they’re buds and decided to tour together for 4-6 shows. After the weekend, they hook up with the Grand Caribou Opry and tour through Winnipeg and the West Coast. Then they rejoin The Opry head back to Alberta for dates in November. 27th The Horowitz in Edmonton. 28th the Ironwood in Calgary. 29th in Bragg creek Comm Centre Enjoy!!
PLAYLIST:
Keep Up Blues
The Rolling Stones
Some Girls (Deluxe)
Hercules
Aaron neville
Uncut (july 2205)
Host
MulliganStew.ca
coming Up Interview with Campbell Bros
Please Come Home
Gary Clark Jr
Live
Key to the Highway/Trouble in Mind
Led Zeppelin
Led Zep 3 (rough Mix)
Why can’t we be frinds?
War
Why can’t we be friends?
Dumaine St
Trombone Shorty
For True
Break
Mulligan Stew
playlist mulliganstew.ca
Interview with Phillip and Chuck Campbell
Campbell Brothers
On Tour
Campbell Brothers
Live
Tonight at Arden. Edmonton
Interview with Phillip and Chuck Campbell
Campbell Brothers
On Tour
Nobodys Fault but Mine
Campbell Brothers
Beyond These 4 Walls
Interview with Phillip and Chuck Campbell
Campbell Brothers
Tonight at Arden. Edmonton
It’s all right now
Campbell Brothers
Beyond These 4 Walls
Embrace another Fall
Robert Plant
Lullaby and ..the ceaseless roar
Break
TDM Mulligan Stew
Coming up Dustin Bentall. Ridley Bent.Leeroy Stagger
Arrow Flight
Boy and Bear
Harlequin Dream
Little Red Rooster
Sam Cooke
The Rhythm and the Blues
Sulphur to Sugercane
Elvis Costello
Secret.Profane.Sugarcane
Host
playlist www.mulliganstew.ca
Coming up Dustin Bentall. Ridley Bent.Leeroy Stagger
Neil Young
Who’s going to stand up?
Storytone
Too many people
Paul McCartney
RAM
Look Out Cleveland
Jackie Greene
Endless Highway
Host
coming up dusty. LeeRoy and Rid
Get up Stand Up
Bob Marley
Legend
Back to the Earth
Jason Mraz
Yes
Helpless
kd lang
Recollection (deluxe)
Host
mulliganstew.ca
Take the money and Run
Dustin Bentall
Six Shooter
Interview with Dustin Bentall. Ridley Bent & Leeroy Stagger