CANMORE— Crafting bombastic tunes filled with rich, amplified musicality, local musician Seth Anderson is set to release his latest album at the end of February.
Anderson’s described his new album We Could Be. “as sonically, the record I always wanted to make.”
He embraced a large sound for the album, explaining that it is sound-wise the biggest record he has crafted.
“I wanted to create something that felt really present,” Anderson said. “A lot of it is full band, but it’s still kind of raw.”
We Could Be. was recorded in Toronto with Anderson’s friend and “one of his favourite” songwriters Eamon McGrath who produced the album.
“We tracked the album in his living room,” he said, adding that they spent a day in the studio to capture the drums.
Anderson focused on layering in as much sound as he could on the album, he said, explaining that one of the reasons he wanted to work with McGrath is the producer's ability to conjure lush tones and atmospheres using an electric guitar on tracks.
“That was something I always wanted with my music— I just hadn’t created that on a record.”
Everything fell into place for the album, he said, adding that it is a marked shift from his last album that was more of a bare-bones production.
While the acoustic soft sound suited his last album, Anderson said he went into the production of We Could Be. with a full band in mind and wanted to capture that with a studio recording.
“Stylistically the voice is still the same, but it definitely is a different direction,” Anderson said. “I wanted to open up to grow into something bigger… I wanted everything on this record— I want it to sound big, do something different and push it sonically.”
Anderson recorded the album in the middle of four months of acoustic touring, he said, explaining that when he got into the studio he was craving the biggest sound possible that would “hit people in the stomach on a musical level.”
We Could Be. features 11 songs, including the single Highway Life that has already been released.
“It’s [Highway Life] about understanding that when you’re doing things that you're passionate about you can sometimes overwork,” Anderson said. “Sometimes you have to take a break and recharge— It’s about letting go of control, for me that means playing music.”
Embracing the idea of freedom and liberation, Highway Life was inspired by his life experience, Anderson said. He had settled into a life working tile and not playing music as much as he wanted. He soon decided it was time to do what he loves and dive into playing music as much as possible.
“It’s always in the back of your head to throw caution to the wind and do what you really want to do. I think it builds and builds and you just get to the point with it where you have to do that,” Anderson said. “You kind of have to get out of the way and let it happen.”
Anderson said his music often serves as a reminder to live life the way it’s meant to be and he hopes people feel inspired to do things that make them happy when they listen.
We Could Be. was a challenging but fun experience that felt good to record, Anderson said, adding that he is excited to share the music live with audiences in the Bow Valley.
He will be hosting a release party at the Canmore Legion to celebrate We Could Be. on Feb. 29.
“I’m a Legion kind of guy. I love those kinds of places they feel like the centre of the community,” Anderson said, adding that he always looks forward playing shows on the Three Sisters Branch stage.
Doors open at 8 p.m. Advanced tickets are available at the Legion or on his website sethandersonmusic.com for $10 or $15 at the door. Local band the Cave Arcade and Calgary band The Hockey Fight will be opening the show.
We Could Be. will be available for streaming on Feb. 25. Vinyl pre-orders are available now.
