Sneak preview from the forthcoming album

December 21, 2022

The new album is coming soon. I’ve been working with Colin Noel at Electric Treehouse in Edmonton on a collection of 10 tracks that will be available on the streaming services in the new year.

In the meantime, here’s a sneak preview of a newly recorded version of “Wear Anything!”

This song was written several years ago for a songwriting workshop and has since become a favourite when I perform live. It’s all about different kinds of hats, which of course, are all about personality.

Coming up with a rhyming list of hats and making it work musically is the kind of creative challenge that I love taking on! For the longest time, I didn’t have a third verse for this song … but thank goodness for the Internet!

This version is now a duet featuring the incredible vocal talents of Taene Nomaowen, who joined me on a couple other tracks on the album.

I also added a new arrangement to it, while opening with a baritone ukulele made by Twisted Wood Guitars based in St. Albert near Edmonton (a very thoughtful gift from my wife).

What kind of hat are you gonna wear?

Congrats to The Orchard on its growing collection of awards

December 20, 2022

In a previous post, I mentioned that my song “Broken Horse” made it into the motion picture soundtrack for The Orchard.

Now, I’m delighted to share that the film has a growing collection of honours and is getting noticed! Congrats to Mark and Kerry, as well as the cast and crew.

Joining the soundtrack to The Orchard

October 23, 2022

I am delighted to have two songs included on the soundtrack to the motion picture The Orchard. Directed by Kerry McArthur and Mark Wolfe, the film is a psychological thriller, filmed in Creston BC. Kerry and Mark initially approached me asking if they could include Longest Night of the Year in the film (which also serves as the opening music in the trailer).

They later heard an early release of Broken Horse, which is used in the closing scene. I remixed Broken Horse for the film and have also decided to include it on my forthcoming album.

The Orchard had its debut on October 14 at the historic Tivoli theatre in Creston, BC. Congratulations to Kerry and Mark. I wish them much success with it. Click on the image to view the trailer!

New single for December

December 1, 2016

The holidays can be a difficult time for those away from home. Here’s a new single from the album that conveys the loneliness of Christmas amidst the stark beauty of a northern Canadian winter. Dedicated to all those who will be away from their families this year.

Album artwork

October 24, 2016

Here’s a peek at the artwork for the forthcoming album. The painting is titled “Rasht” by Ottawa-based artist Taymaz Valley. He has very kindly given me permission to use this piece for the record, and I would like to thank Renee La Roi for her assistance in pulling all the design elements together for the CD packaging and online graphics.

I was drawn to the organic feel of the painting and brilliant use of colour. The river, tree, and house all speak to elements and themes within the songs on the album. That combination was simply irresistible to me. I hope you like it as much as I do!

Stay tuned for a special announcement later this week about the release date for the album and a special pre-release offer for fans of Selkirk Range.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/39747297@N05/5230479916/in/photolist-8Yczsd-cbcCk3-7jNmHv-dipm3P-5FefTX-sKjX3-5Fixk1-bBUjs2-bCwEoZ-4qLmk2-ccHti1-bUswQr-2Nati-eALvw3-5bjaoE-dULRxt-boZz85-daMjCh-5FivxU-nfWQif-bEU9xB-evy1D8-78WDg-3f6kZz-bQ7zsp-5FefXP-ddus1V-dwHLRn-5FiwF3-3Ao8mS-9NCMZT-5EYCfm-cpXBxm-e48NRC-8h9176-bBUupB-jvie5t-jjWWL7-2BS8QV-2pvf6Z-4ZHLs3-5WnYcr-422k5w-63dWbv-fbyEfd-oJsYJa-bxN9YA-fSNt1b-dURTpS-3AEivQ

Preproduction session 2

November 4, 2015 — Leave a comment

Everett and I are continuing to run songs and explore ideas for the upcoming record. Here we are in his home studio working on parts for “You, Me, and the Almighty.” At this point, most of our effort is focussed largely on playing the songs together, listening to them in a raw form, and then talking about structure and arrangements.

For this song, we’ll likely keep things relatively simple with guitars and possibly a slide steel. I’m keen to try out some unusual sonic elements to give the song a darker quality, and Bry Webb’s album Freewill is something we’re listening to for ideas.

Photograph by Renee LaRoi Design.

Let’s make a record

September 29, 2015 — Leave a comment

I’m excited to be starting work on my first record with Edmonton-based musician and producer Everett LaRoi. We will be setting up the production schedule soon and should have a record ready to release sometime next year.

I’m going to take my time and enjoy the process, so we haven’t set ourselves any hard deadlines. Right now we’re planning on recording a 6-song EP. We’ve got a shortlist of songs and will get started on pre-production in October with Spicy Tomato Music.

Everett is a really interesting guy with lots of song writing and performance experience stretching back to the mid-1980s with his former band Idyl Tea. His recent production credits include work with ManRayGun, Goldtop, and Alice Kos. It’s a real honour to have him be a part of the Selkirk Range project.

Getting the record together: budget time

September 9, 2015 — Leave a comment

Now that I’m contemplating a self-released album or EP, I need to think about the inevitable costs. Like any other project it’s important to think through the details because, well, that is where Devil lives. In those details. To help me work through this process, I’ve drawn on a great resource online for artists looking to release their own record. Among other things, there is a link to a resource on creating a budget.

Categorically, the costs divide up into (1) music production and recording; (2) artwork and packaging; (3) marketing and promotion; and (4) “other” expenses, which include online distribution. I’ll start to work my way through these and share some of the details in upcoming posts, including any additional resources I might come across.

Tracking your digital song files with the ISRC

August 25, 2015 — Leave a comment

I’ve embarked on a learning journey as I begin preparations for making a record. Among the things I’m learning is the ISRC (International Standard Recording Code) is the system for royalty collection with digital song files. The ISRC is a 12-character identifier associated with each unique song, that allows it to be traced back to the owner for royalty payments.

The code consists of a 2-digit country code, registrant code, year of reference, and designation code. For Selkirk Range the code for the first song on the record will probably look like this: CAX0V1600001, where “X0V” is my registrant code and identifies me as the independent artist that owns the rights to the song. “CA” is Canada, and “16” is the year I expect to release the song (2016). The designation code 00001 might be the first song on the record.

The owner assigns the codes to the songs and includes them with the metadata of the files as well as the master CD. The owner also provides them to agencies that need them for tracking and paying royalties (e.g., iTunes, CD Baby, etc.).

There is no cost for obtaining an ISRC Registrant Code and it’s quick and painless. As an independent artist you will likely have to do this yourself. Each country has its own domestic organization that administers the ISCR, and in Canada it is Connect Music Licensing. You can learn more about Canadian ISRC administration here.

Capital City Records in Edmonton

August 11, 2015 — Leave a comment

This is a great initiative to support local talent in Edmonton. The Edmonton Public Library has launched a program called Capital City Records to establish a public digital space to celebrate the local music scene and its history.

Anyone can stream the albums but if you have an EPL library card you can also download the tracks.

They plan to add 100 albums per year, with the call for the next round of submissions coming up this Fall.

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