Having traveled the country five times, Peter Katz had a lot of time to listen to the radio, an inspiration for his writing.

But in his five trips across the country, it will be Peter Katz’ first time on the Jasper stage when he performs at Café Mondo on April 14.

The singer/songwriter is the second musician to come to Jasper after playing the South by Southwest music festival in Austin, Texas in almost as many weeks. The Joys just came through town after playing the 1,900 – plus band festival.

Now in northern Ontario and making his way west, Katz is promoting his latest album, First of the Last to Know, which came out on April 6, while playing in halls, churches, coffee shops, pubs and even homes.

“Some of the cities, it’s great. Other cities, it’s been hit or miss. In several of the cities like Saskatoon, Calgary, there are a bunch of cities where it goes really well and there’s a great audience,” says Katz of his tours. “In my first tour of Canada, I was happy to have a good show. Now, it’s rare to not have a good show.”

Katz says he essentially sings folk songs, with many of them having strong relationship themes, not just of love, but father-son relationships and the trials and tribulations of bigger emotions.

“I try to really commit to the moment and really commit to the show. So it tends to be a wide range of emotions and a wide range of energy as well. I tell a lot of stories, and I try and make something of the experience. I don’t like playing at people. It’s more like, we are in it together, and have some kind of experience together,” he says.

Opening the show for Katz will be Jasper resident Andrew Stevens who Katz knows from their time playing music in Guelph, Ontario.

“I met him when I played in Guelph and we just hit it off, and when he moved out there he said if I’m ever coming to Jasper, let him know,” explains Katz.

“He put it together, he’s just been really great to work with and a really great guy. I think he’s going to come and play with me in Edmonton too.”

The Café Mondo venue will be a small, intimate setting for Katz, but that is one that suits his style. He likes those kinds of venues from time to time, as it allows him to bond with the audience and actually see their faces.

“I try to avoid too many bars, but there are some bars that are sort of music focused bars, so I’m playing at a few of those. So it’s kind of a mix. Every show on paper has the potential to be a great show,” he says.

The doors open for Katz and Stevens at 6:00 p.m.  at Café Mondo on April 14.