CRAIG ROBERTSON

You are invited to the party!

Designed and directed by Toronto-based photographer/movie-maker Sean Ryan (@seanryanimages), here is the video for Cheap Old Watch, from my upcoming album Late Mornings.

The album was produced by Michael Timmins (Cowboy Junkies) and is slated for it’s official release on September 14h.

 

 

Thrilled to have Roots Music Canada debut my new video for the song ‘Cheap Old Watch’. The video is directed by Sean Ryan.

Check out the link to see/hear the video

 

 

Lots of shows coming up including stops in Orillia, Niagara Falls, St. Catherines, Ottawa, Montreal, Toronto …getting excited about the release of the new record. Here’s another tune to enjoy.

Happy to share some new music! This is a ‘ruff mix’ of “You Never Meet Me in the Morning”, from the NEW album “Late Mornings”. The new record is in the mastering stages now, with artwork being prepped as well. Excited to share this new journey with you, hope you can come along for the ride.

Check out the shows page for upcoming dates.

Thursday March 22 – C’est What, Toronto, 9pm –  band show

Sunday June 17 – Village Vinyl Music Emporium  Etobicoke, 2pm. Solo – ‘Songwriter’s Circle’ with James Clark and TC Folkpunk

Thursday August 2 – Miller Lash House, Scarborough, 7pm – solo

 

The recording process …a new kind of journey for me.

I’ve been very fortunate over the years to record at many studios, but there has been something special about the sessions at The Hangar with Michael Timmins, as we finished up the recording process a few weeks ago.

This batch of songs for me was all about capturing a feel from the band. Drummer James Clark, bassist Jamie Thwaites and I rehearsed for months before the sessions. Every week we would gather, rehearse parts, create ideas and get a good sense of the music.

We went into the studio in mid-October to record bed tracks (drums, bass, acoustic guitar), expecting to do them over two days. We recorded the bulk of them in 5 hours on the first day. Great energy emanating from James Clark on drums and Jamie Thwaites on bass. My acoustic guitar playing felt fine and I was sitting on some pretty good vocal tracks, expecting to re-record them all. No more than 3 or 4 takes of each song. Some, we did as few as two. Everything felt right.

We went back the day after and listened, to be sure we were on the right track. We all liked what we heard and moved on to some percussion and a few acoustic guitar overdubs. As well, we recorded the solo acoustic tune, ‘Box Full of Motel Keys’ on day two. My ‘scratch’ vocals were starting to feel right and I wanted to keep them, as I didn’t think they could be any better.

We were expecting to go back in in November to finish up overdubs, but Producer Michael Timmins broke his wrist and was scheduled for surgery. The next sessions were booked for the new year as he began healing.

During that time, I went through a rich writing period, inspired by the sessions. I ended up writing about a dozen news songs, two of which we wanted to record for the album – ‘Drunk in Vegas’ and ‘So Long Gone’.

In early January, with Mike’s wrist still in a cast, we went in and recorded those two songs. Bed tracks for each song were done in two takes, including lead vocals.

Four more short sessions came soon after – Andrew Barker playing lap steel and electric guitar; Bob Strome playing electric guitar and mandolin; Jamie McKie playing violin and me doing background vocals and some minimal piano. All recording was finished by mid-February. 14 songs in total.

The biggest hurdle for me recording music has always been not feeling very comfortable in recording studios. Not taking anything away from the studios I’ve been in, they are great places and create great art. But, sometimes a right fit can be the right tonic to create and feel right.

With Michael Timmins it’s relaxed, it’s easy, it’s creative. He has this low-key approach that let me feel myself, convey ideas and make music that has life and sounds like me. I always felt comfortable singing and playing and experimenting.

This has been an amazing journey, full of crazy moments to be sure, a lot doubting, but a lot of joy and expression. I can’t thank the amazing musicians enough for their contributions to the project. Their playing will speak for itself when you hear the music.

I can’t thank Michael Timmins enough for being the glue to hold it all together. His production choices are inspired, creative and fitting for the songs. His creative spirit is evident on the recordings. Not to mention that he is a great person. Nice people are good people to be around when making music.

Soon I will share some of the mixes. I’m planning a Fall release, with videos to come out this spring and summer. Hope you can come out to a show!

…and the recording process is now complete! I will share a ‘sneak preview’ soon. Can’t wait to share this music with you.

Very grateful to be working with Michael Timmins of Cowboy Junkies fame on my new record. We’ve recorded 14 songs and plan on having the album’s music finished by spring. The album title is still a work in progress, as the story is still being written, but we are planning on a release sometime in 2018. It’s a big step up for me as a writer and performer and I’m very excited, with plans on more shows, videos to support the music and who knows what else.

Feel free to follow this site, check out the pics/videos and come see us live. We love a good time!