Don’t let his name fool you. Old Man Luedecke (a.k.a. Chris Luedecke) is a banjo-pluckin’, foot-stompin’ one-man-show — and arguably the most original solo act out there. His style is reminiscent of old school bluegrass and folk musicians such as Dock Boggs and Pete Seeger. It’s hard to pin the Torontonian-turned-Nova-Scotian’s music into one genre — is it folk, blues, roots, bluegrass or, dare we say it, country?
One thing we know for sure is that, whatever you want to call it, OML’s music is racking up major street cred: he’s now got two Juno Awards under his belt. But his old school sound also has modern charm. His powerful and meaningful lyrics invite youthful ambitions: just try getting through “I Quit My Job” without wanting to skip town and pull a Christopher McCandless.
His live shows are not to be missed. He’s expanded his sets to include a mandolin, violin and even an electric guitar. Expect loud sing-alongs (even if you don’t know the words) and serious stomp-alongs. We caught up with OML to talk about his upcoming album and his performance at Hugh’s Room tonight.
How did you first arrive at the banjo? It’s not the most conventional of instruments.
Right, and I guess it was fairly random. I’d always liked the sound of it and I didn’t really know anything about it. I was attracted to it because it’s so different from the guitar, and I wasn’t a kid who played guitar in high school. I bought the banjo from a fellow up in Dawson City in the Yukon, and it sort of jived with the spirit of camping and freedom.
I’m having some trouble placing you into a clear-cut genre. Maybe you could help me out?
I write fairly lyric-heavy songs, with sort of buoyant melodies, I guess. It’s all over the rhythm of the old-time banjo, there’s really a sparkling drive to what I do, and then it seems that that’s been a natural place for me to write songs.
Is it challenging to be trailblazing in your own style as a one-man show?
It is, well it has been. I’ve been travelling with a sideman [Joel Hunt], so I’ve been that way for quite a long time, and now I’m able to play out a bit, which has been fun. In terms of being in my own genre, I guess that’s why it works, that’s why I’ve been able to do it. I’ve been sort of expressing myself in this way, it has been easy, but it also has not been easy when you think about it.
I know a lot of your songs have more instrumentation — particularly the violin. Is that where your sideman comes in?
Yeah, he plays the violin and the mandolin, and the electric guitar a couple of times. For my records and stuff like that, I write songs for them to be played solo. The core of the song is just me and my banjo, and everything else is a satellite in orbit around that.
Did things change for you after winning two Junos?
Um, probably. I think things really changed for me when I had twin daughters, Delia and Wilhelmina. So I think my daughters overshadowed the Juno. It’s certainly a nice thing. I’ve won two Junos, and in both cases I was out of the country — I was playing in Texas the second time — I think a lot of people found out about this last one more than the first one.
Playing outside of Canada and even winning these awards — are those indications of a bigger market for folk music?
It seems like it. But at the same time, I don’t have anything to compare it to because I’m on the front of what I’m doing, I’m kind of hopeless, you know, I don’t have a choice [laughs]. Well, I guess I do have a choice, but I don’t think that it’s hopeless.
You’ve collaborated with a few other bands like The Deep Dark Woods and Lake of Stew. Is there anyone else who you’re currently working with or would like to work with?
Well the funny thing is, I just made an album in Nashville in January, and it hasn’t come out yet, and it’s pretty fun, and I was collaborating there with Tim O’Brien, who actually sang on my last album again. It’s a really exciting project.
Any idea when it will be released?
I don’t know! There are still a few things that need to be done before it comes out. My wife is scribbling at home, but she’s also at home with two babies and she’s supposed to be doing the artwork for it [laughs].
Are you excited to be back home in Toronto tonight?
Oh yeah, it’s going to be really nice. Hugh’s Room is a really great place to really listen to what’s going on. It’s a fun room to play in. They do a great job with the sound. And it’s set up really well for connecting with the audience.
