Royal Wood is going back to his roots. Whether that means his own family history or going back to how he began creating music, the singer-songwriter says he reconnected with the reason why he began making music.
Last year saw the release of The Burning Bright, his latest album, as well as the more stripped down I Wish You Well, the acoustic tour-only companion. The songwriting process involved going secluded cabin in Ireland, where Wood’s roots begin, and cutting himself off from the rest of the world to write the songs.
“It’s very much like a new record to me, but also returning to the way that I used to make music... I think I found a new joy in making music that I haven’t felt in a while, it was a good reminder of why I started making music in the first place.”
The albums are also both very eclectic, and Wood says that when creating he doesn’t want limits.
“I don’t think as artists we should be tied to one style or one sound, it’s supposed to be creation at its best.”
Wood played most of the instruments on the album, something that is going back to his first album where he had to do everything himself. While he has done records with his touring band before, he says that recording everything by himself is a freeing experience.
“It wasn’t a control thing, but it was a very freeing thing because I just got to have fun.”
Wood is recording again, after spending time in Ireland and Banff writing songs. He says the place where he writes influences what he writes, as the songs in nature have a different energy from those in the city, saying that those songs recorded in the urban environments are louder and grittier than those closer to nature.
The tour itself is also connecting with his roots. Wood says that he put a priority on going to smaller, rural venues because that’s how his own career began in Ontario.
“I love the big theatre and I love my big show... But I had an offer to do this rural Saskatchewan tour and I’ve done rural tours before and I love them because that’s how I was raised. I was a rural farm kid, and those were the kind of communities I not only grew up in but started to play music in, and I love them. It’s much more of an intimate storyteller, I’m feet away from the audience and there’s no disconnect. It’s just a different way of performing... I feel so normal doing it, it’s just me. I’m as excited about those shows as any of the big shows I’m doing right now.”
The latest tour has been going since January, and Wood says it has been the best tour he has done so far.
“I don’t think the band has ever sounded better, I don’t think I’ve ever performed better. A lot of stuff that was going on for me, especially in Europe, Ireland and the Netherlands in particular, were just some of the best touring of my life.”
Royal Wood will be in Yorkton at the Anne Portnuff Theatre as part of the Stars for Saskatchewan series on February 22 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available at the Yorkton Arts Council or www.ticketpro.ca.
