Here we are, Rough Side Out worldwide release day. This EP is a collection of songs I wrote and/or recorded with some of my favourite writers and dearest friends working primarily in the Canadian country music world these days. Donovan Woods and Todd Clark are two of the most well-rounded musicians and songwriters in the biz and I am blessed to have been granted so much of their time and talents in the past year or so. I so happily gathered with them and a few others and in between laughs and tacos, these songs were born. There’s a country feel that is new for me and yet these songs are undeniably tied to my traditional Celtic home on an Island in the sea. You can take the Boy out of the Bay, but… well, you knows

The songs are about topics dear to me, from the love of the concert in We’re Gonna Love Tonight, to the tip of the hat to the pub singer in Anywhere You Wanna Go, and onto the never-ending conflict of wanting this night to never end while longing for the next one to come in I Gotta Go. I’ve always wanted to do a big, brokenhearted duet and was so glad that one of the country’s great voices Jess Moskaluke agreed to sing with me on What the Whisky Won’t Do. I was equally grateful when our old pal Dean Brody answered the call to join me on We Don’t Wanna Go Home, so we could finally explain to the world how tough it can be for a touring musician to find an open bar after the gig. It’s OK is really a whisper to people suffering with mental health issues to let them know a better day is coming, and Paper in Fire is, simply put, one of the most influential songs of my life and I’ve always wanted to record it.

Of course, all these songs are really designed to make a grand night out and I hope to see you out there as we tour these tunes and a whole bunch of favourites from my own records and the Great Big Sea catalogue on the Rough Side Out Tour. All the Beautiful Beautiful Band are on the go as well as the wonderful Kelly Prescott as special guest in Canada and Chris Trapper for the US shows. All should combine to make for the greatest Kitchen Party ever.

Thanks so very much for all of this. As Ever.

Cheers,
Alan