Friends,

I have named the album WE WERE BORN TO GLORY. A title inspired by the idea that all life is born with the potential for glory. I have therefore distilled my journey into individual songs that are emotional snapshots of life through my lens as a human being. Of which I am viewing not only my own life (past, present and future) but the world at large. It is a celebration of experience.

Musically I set out to make a timeless pop record like the albums I loved when I was growing up – all the while keeping my voice as an artist and staying true to modern times. I wanted to take myself on an emotional journey through song, like I experienced when I was first discovering music. My lyrical sensibility had to remain intact and honesty of message as well. The reason I loved those old records so much is that everything had a melody. Not just the vocals, but the bass lines, the guitar lines, the drum fills – everything had a purpose. Nothing was superfluous. Each note had intent. I also wanted to remain current and embrace modern colours, so I have incorporated drum loops and ambient creations.

The first single “NOT GIVING UP” will drop May 14th to radio and to iTunes on May 15th and the album will launch on July 10th on MapleMusic Recordings. As well, I will be shooting the video for the 1st single in May in Mexico with Juno winning director Jeth Weinrich.

I’m looking forward to hitting the road to promote the album, and will begin this summer with many festivals including Winnipeg Folk Fest and more (See the full schedule below). Then this fall I will be heading over to Europe to tour Ireland, UK and The Netherlands. Then I return to tour Canada in late Oct and Nov in a city near you! As well, I will continue touring Canada this winter/spring in 2013 in smaller cities that were missed across the country this fall. Be sure to check out my website for all the tour information.

May 22 – Paris, France – Espace B w/ Sarah Slean TO BUY TICKETS!
June 10 – Toronto, Luminato – 2 songs – Rufus Wainwright Show
July 6 – 8 – Winnipeg, Winnipeg Folk Fest
July 14, 15 – Vancouver, Vancouver Folk Fest
Aug 10 – 12 – Edmonton Edmonton Folk Fest
Aug 18, 19 – Owen Sound, Summerfolk
Aug 25 – Jackson Triggs Winery with the Niagara Symphony TO BUY TICKETS!

Xo
Royal

Feb 25th, 2012

Dear Friends,

The album has been mixed by Pierre Marchand and Howie Beck and is now being mastered by Joao Carvalho. One would assume that means the album comes out tomorrow? However, I find myself currently working on the artwork and release plans with a very talented team of people, and gearing up for a release this spring. Tour plans are also underway for the fall in both Europe and Canada.

With each release I try to reach my potential and beyond. I set artistic goals that will force myself to grow beyond simple parameters. I can therefore truly say I have accomplished my task. I am immensely proud that it is both fresh and unique sounding, and yet another chapter in my process as an artist. People are going to sing along. To tap their foot. To be emotionally moved. I can’t wait for you to hear it!

Royal

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

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

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