SCHEIDING BIEDT NIEUWE HOOP

Cobblestone Runway heet de nieuwe cd van Ron Sexsmith. Wellicht goed voor een plekje in het jaarlijstje van Alt Country NL. Een kort email-gesprek met de Canadees.

The title could be a Morrissey-one. Very poetic; sounds great. Sorry for the question: does it mean something?

"The title came from a rough landing I experienced at Heathrow airport. I just turned to my drummer and said "Damn these cobblestone runways"

I got the record in march. Means you fnished it some months before that, I presume. How far are you away from the record?

"Well, I'm always writing, so hopefully I'll be able to release another album in the not too distant future."

The Beatles always recorded with Mr. Martin. Not many artists do that these days. Why you want to try new producers always?

"Well, I worked with Mitchell Froom on my first 3 records, I would have liked to continue with him, but the records were not commercially successsful, so there was pressure from the label to try other people"

There is a lot of hope on your new record. Seems like it is the message of the album.

"I was living on my own for the first time in 15 years (Sexsmith is sinds kort gescheiden van zijn vrouw, red.), and feeling abit sad. So, I was trying to write songs that would reassure me that everything was gonna be ok."

A lot of artists have made songs about 11-9 (Springsteen, Parton, Young). Is this your answer to it: keep hope?

"I didn't really think about it.The horrible events of 911 , I think are still to fresh to try and put it in a song."

God Loves Everyone is spiritual, even religious. How religious is Ron Sexsmith?

"Well, I look at it as a spiritual song, but not a religious one. It's some about including everyone...I don't believe that Heaven is an exclusive club ."

The influences of the producer I can hear best on Dragonfly On The Bay Street, the instrumental Heart's Desire. It's a strange moment. I've heard the record now for so many times; for me it works like a commercial on a tv. It breaks the record. Not that it's a bad song, but I'm not happy with the effect if creates. Why did you do it?

Well, we always try to find the right setting for each song..with "Dragonfly On Bay Street" Martin felt we had an opportunity to try something a bit different.. It's kind of like having a secret weapon on the album.. Also, I think it really works well with the lyric..The instrumental jam session was something that happened naturally, And I wanted to include it on the record. I love to play lead guitar."

Last time I did sent you an email you recommended Kypp Harnes to me. He did sent his latest cd and I bought the rest of his cd's. Maybe you could name a
few more underrated artists.

"Bob Snider, is another of my favorite under appreciated artists from Canada He has , I think 4 albums out... I also love Neko Case."

Thanks and good luck with the album.