Reuben Bullock – CD Release Show

POSTED January 4, 2012 BY Paul Friesen

Calgary’s Reuben Bullock is a hard worker. A singer-songwriter, Reuben ‘finds ways of translating the confusing language of emotion into song and melody, without ever defining it or answering its questions. He sings with passion and certainty beyond his years.’

We caught up with Reuben a couple of days ago, in anticipation of his CD Release Show for man made lakes:

You’ve been touring quite a bit over the last couple of months. British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Mexico. Do you have any tales from the road that you want to share with us?

Yeah, we have just been trying to get out there. The September tour was my first time on the road. It was a good taste, we did a good part of Western Canada. This January we start another tour, then spring is going to be a coast to coast….hopefully with a lot of festival dates. Mexico wasn’t intended to be a part of a tour, it just turned out to be. I was there by myself and it just kind of happened. It went well though, lots of people and great feedback.

Was there a specific venue or city you felt most reminded you of Calgary and your audiences here?

That’s hard to say, because Calgary can be hit/miss. Great shows and poor ones the same. We had a good time in Edmonton, I am looking forward to going back there. We also have a theatre show booked in Swift Current for February; that’s going to be a good one. The best shows in Calgary are always unpredictable. I like playing in more intimate spaces like theatres and churches, but sometimes a show at Broken City or The Palomino will be the stand out of the year. If people make it out to shows, Calgary audiences are amazing.

You’ve also managed to work in some time to record this new album, man made lakes. Are you feeling busier than usual, or is this pretty standard for you these days?

This record has been ready to go for a long time. I could have recorded it months after the first one. I am always writing, and the band is really good about picking up new tunes and working them in. I am always busy one way or another, and there is a difference between being busy and productive. I feel busier and more productive these days, its just getting better and still just getting started.

pulling up arrows, your first album, was recorded with some unique analog recording equipment. We’ve heard that man made lakes is your first digital record. What can we expect, sound-wise, with your new album and what kind of emphasis have you placed on the recording process this time around?

The sound is big. It is almost a live album. 10 of the 11 tracks are live off the floor, many are even one takes. We tried to capture what happens when we play live….the atmosphere and energy. It really shows on the recordings. I took things pretty seriously this time around, we all had some sounds we wanted to get across. It was completely different than the first record, and I am very happy with the result.

What was it like to work with Lorrie Matheson on this album?

Lorrie is great. He puts his heart into what he does, and luckily for us, what he does is amazing.

Being a musician and songwriter, what do you value most about performing and creating original stories and songs?

Originals are all I have. I don’t think I have a single cover song under my belt. Its not even intentional. I write because I write. It’s just what I am drawn to do. When I started transposing thoughts and words to songs it just didn’t stop. It is a very personal experience. It is funny to think sometimes that the songs become so public. Writing and performing are two very separate things, and I enjoy them both for their own reasons.

I’m sure you’re all anticipating an evening where you can share this album with your family and friends. How excited are you for the CD release show, and what about the Arrata Opera Centre is most exciting, from a performance/live show standpoint?

We all feel really good about it. Its such an accomplishment finishing an album. The amount of work that goes into each one is insane. And then to be all packaged up and kept on a little disc, you can forget sometimes what it took to get there. Cd releases are a celebration and friends and family are a big part of that. I can’t wait. The Arrata is the perfect spot for this show I think. Playing so many shows, when I get the chance to control the environment I take it. Its not often a band gets to play in such a nice venue. It really sets the mood for the night.

Reuben Bullock’s CD Release Show with special guests The Mountaineer, and Francis Cheer is Friday, January 20th at 8PM in the Arrata Opera Centre (1315 7St, SW). Tickets are $10. For more information, visit the Facebook event page.

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