In an era of digital uploads and online streaming, it’s not everyday that musicians opt to produce a vinyl record.
But that’s exactly what country artists Blake Berglund and Belle Plaine decided to do for their next big project.
In a nod to fellow Saskatchewan songwriter Zachary Lucky, the duo worked collaboratively to produce a double-single, seven-inch vinyl, featuring two of Lucky’s songs, “Town to Town” and “Saskatchewan.”
“The whole thing is kind of like a throw back to the 60s and 70s when it was really common to release 45s, which is what we called seven inches back in the day,” said Plaine, while taking a break from rehearsal last week.
The record will be released Sept. 4, followed by a double-bill tour from Regina to Victoria, with a stop at the Jasper Royal Canadian Legion on Sept. 5.
“We’re both songwriters in our own right, but it felt like we could bring a more communal aspect to the project if we were to incorporate other Saskatchewan artists and right at the very top of the list was Zack,” said Berglund.
Describing their new sound as “soul country” the pair crossed paths numerous times over the years and shared a coffee or two while they were on the road before they eventually decided to collaborate on a project.
“When you practice by yourself and you play with only your group, you’re influenced by those factors, but when you collaborate it opens you up to more influences,” said Berglund, who has played in Jasper numerous times.
The show itself has been described as a classic double-bill with a “twist” because Berglund and Plaine will each perform a set with their own bands before coming together for several duets including “Town to Town” and “Saskatchewan” off their new vinyl.
“We’re going to start off having a moment for the audience to get to know us as individual artists, but at the end of both sets we’re going to come together to collaborate on each other’s songs,” said Plaine.
The pair opted to produce a limited number of vinyl copies—298 to be exact—but still intends to make the tracks available on iTunes.
“Coming into Jasper is always such a special show for us,” said Berglund, who recorded his 2014 live album at the legion and called it Jasper.
“We’ve developed really great personal relationships with a lot of the people from the town, so it’s going to be one of those shows on the tour that I’m looking forward to most,” he said.
Paul Clarke [email protected]
