Royal Speaks

Dear Friends,

A new year has begun, and I am buzzing with anticipation. So much is going on, and about to begin in the coming months. For instance, wrapping up recording for the new record. Most recently I recorded the 12 piece string and horn sections that I arranged. Here are some snapshots from Revolution Recording Studio.

I can’t express how artistically fulfilling these past few months have been. From co-producing the record with Dean Drouillard, to gearing up to mix the record with Pierre Marchand and Howie Beck. This is the stuff of life. The great adventure.

The release date is going to be set soon, and the full touring schedule looks to be this fall, but there are a few dates that should be mentioned now.

03-Mar Aylmer, ON – Old Town Hall
09-Mar Beamsville, ON – Fielding Winery
10-Mar Thunderbay, ON – Finlandia Hall
20-Mar Toronto, Direct Energy Centre – Canada Blooms
28-Mar Whitehorse, Yukon – Yukon Arts Centre

For those of you who pre-purchased the record by buying The Cover Sessions EP, I hope you are enjoying the sneak peeks every once and a while from the recording process. There will be a TRUE sneak peek very soon.

For those of you who wish to join in the fun, you can still pre-purchase the record here!

Xo
Royal

Dear Friends,

I just wrapped up recording in Montreal at Studio PM with the lads, and now I find myself back Toronto, about to begin the next stage of the record. I am planning overdubs, writing string and horn arrangements, and furthering my vision. Such memorable times.

Here are a few snapshots from the Montreal days…

Xo
Royal

A chapter has closed, and another has presented itself. The page is staring me in the face, and I am excitedly ready to make my way through the latest adventure.

The Sneak Peek Tour was everything I wanted it to be. I connected with old fans, debuted new material, and made new friends along the way. Now, the recording of the next record is the task at hand, and I am waiting with baited breathe to get to Montreal to Pierre Marchand’s studio, and get this project underway with my dear friends Dean Drouillard, Steve Zsirai, and Adam Warner.

Life is what we make it, and I am creating my destiny.

Royal

There are only 3 cities left on the Sneak Peek Tour, and I must say, it has far exceeded my expectations. A plan usually hits a few snags along the way, but this one occurred without a roadblock. Only a clear view lay ahead.

I wanted a tour with multiple sellout nights, in intimate venues, across this gorgeous country, and you handed it to me without question. Night after night I debuted new songs, and night after night you signed up to pre-order the new album due out next spring, and took home a copy of The Cover Sessions EP.

Thank you dear fans for making my vision a reality.

Xo
Royal

The “Sneak Peek Tour” got underway in Winnipeg a few nights ago – and I always love returning to the WECC. Winnipeg crowds know how to treat an artist.

It always surprises me how one plans for a moment in time, and then when the moment arrives, it moves so rapidly, like water over the falls. I must remind myself to be ever-present – taking it all in. The people. The adventure. The landscape. The musical journey. This is why I am here.

The response has been far and away above expectation, with sold out crowds and extensive lines at the merch tables. I can’t thank all of you enough for the support.

I must admit I am reenergized on stage performing my new creations, for I crave these kinds of moments of creativity and improvisation. The spark is starting the flame to get ready to record the next record in November. This is my fuel.

Until my next update…

Your musical friend,
Royal

Dear Friends,

Inspiration struck one rainy afternoon in Halifax while on tour, I recorded a cover version of Foster The People’s “Pumped Up Kicks”. As soon as it hit the world wide web, a journey began that now finds us here, with a whole collection of songs voted by you called The Cover Sessions. They range from Sam Robert’s “Eileen” to versions of songs by Adele, Bill Withers and Tom Petty.

Staring on Sept 16th I will be touring Canada with The Cover Sessions EP in my hands to give away to you for free. It will only be available at the shows when you pre-purchase the next new full album that is being released next Spring 2012. Do that, and the EP is yours. As well, when pre-purchasing the new album you’ll receive your copy autographed a week before the official release date.

I’m really looking forward to playing these intimate venues with my co-producer and guitar player Dean Drouillard. I’ve written more than 30 songs for the next album and I’m excited to debut some of them for you. Each night I’ll be asking for feedback from you of which songs you think i should record for the new album (recording begins right after the Sneak Peek tour ends!)

Looking forward to seeing you at the shows!

Musically yours,

Royal

May 27th

I am about to get underway recording the new record this fall. Very exciting times.

To inspire and get the creative juices flowing, I have decided to cross something off my life list at the same time. I have always wanted to record a few cover songs – just for the experience of reinventing them in the studio. Who knows what will become of them.

Well dear friends and fans, what cover songs would you want me to try my hand at?

Tweet or post your answer on Facebook

Musically yours,
Royal

I recorded this cover song called “Pumped Up Kicks” after an afternoon spent in my hotel room in Halifax on a rainy day on tour. I had wrapped up a writing session, and was waiting to load in at the venue, when I started playing “Pumped Up Kicks” by Foster The People on my guitar in its original manner. However, the lyrics suddenly hit me in a much more melancholy way. The are subcutaneous to the melody. Though the tune comes off as a fun summer song, under the surface it reads to me as a comment on a single absentee Dad who raises his son with false promises, and the child is left to deal with the lack of love in troubling ways. i.e. Carrying a gun for retribution. I recorded it on the first take in a slow and deliberate manner, and ended up using that performance because I felt like the rawness only added to the message.

I hope you are moved by it.

Royal

April 15th, 2011

There is just one show left on the western portion of the Root Of It All Tour. We are making the drive to Salmon Arm tomorrow and I couldn’t be more content. The idea for this tour was born after I completed my headline tour last fall with the band in larger theatres and clubs all across Canada. Though it was mostly sold out, and amazing shows night after night, I felt strongly that I wanted to go back out across Canada and perform solo in smaller venues. In rooms where I could tell a story, just myself and the instrument, and make an intimate connection with a select group of fans. I wanted to talk about the music, and let a little more of myself out in the process. Another part of maturing in my own skin I guess.

From the moment this tour began, I knew my wish was coming true. The vast majority of the shows have sold out, night after night, and the crowds have been so appreciative, so intent on listening, and making an evening of magic. It is as if both sides of the stage want to make something to remember.

I can’t thank each and everyone of you enough.

Here’s to making the rest of the shows across Canada remaining on the tour as successful as the western leg.

Your friend in music,
Royal

Where has the time gone? It appears to have passed in a hail of good news. I am still pinching myself to be nominated for Songwriter of the Year at the Juno’s. It means so much to be recognized by my peers, and I consider myself flattered to be in such talented company.

My album was also chosen Top 5 of 2010 by CBC Radio 2 and iTunes named it as one of the Best Pop Albums of 2010 and “On Top Of Your Love” as one of the Best Pop Singles.

Like I said…. I am flattered.

Thankfully all of this has lead to yet another tour. This time, I am stopping off in rural Canadian towns (check the shows page for details). The kind of places I grew up in. The smell of grass and the site of trees along the towns view. The familiar way people say hello on the small streets. Bring on the home baked goods!

I also have my sleeves rolled up and my hands are getting worn with writing material for the new album. I have plans to record it this fall/winter. My lips are sealed as to the rest of the news.

Your friend in music,
Royal