Saskatchewan singer/songwriter Jeffery Straker is gearing up to release his latest album, Dirt Road Confessional, May 19 on Acronym Records, to be followed by a cross-Canada tour kicking off in Saskatoon on May 25 [see schedule below].

As evidenced by the infectious track “Boom Boom”, Dirt Road Confessional pushes the boundaries of what it means to be a piano balladeer. Utilizing themes both contemplative and joyous, the 12-song collection encapsulates Straker’s experiences of playing over 200 shows around the world since the release of his previous album, 2015’s North Star Falling.

Straker regularly draws comparisons to a young Billy Joel or Elton John, with touches of Rufus Wainwright and Harry Nilsson thrown in, but on Dirt Road Confessional his personal storytelling style has evolved by leaps and bounds. At the same time, he was determined to explore different approaches in the studio, which led the album to be constructed out of five separate sessions.

Daniel Ledwell (Jenn Grant) produced three songs in Nova Scotia, Royal Wood co-wrote two songs and co-produced them with Lawrence Katz in L.A., Dean Drouillard (Justin Rutledge, Amelia Curran) produced two songs in Toronto—where an additional track was also laid down with Robyn Dell’Unto—and Murray Pulver (The Bros. Landreth) co-produced the balance with Brad Prosko during sessions in Regina.

Despite the many hands being involved in the end result, the foundation of Dirt Road Confessional is Straker’s unwavering sonic vision for the record and its story about finding love while at the same time finding the courage to pursue one’s art. That tug of war inspired the creative strides Jeffery Straker has made on Dirt Road Confessional, an album that confirms his status as one of Canada’s most gifted singer/songwriters.

May 25 – Saskatoon, SK @ Broadway Theatre
May 26 – Edmonton, AB @ The Almanac
May 27 – Lloydminster, AB @ The Root
May 31 – Winnipeg, MB @ West End Cultural Centre
June 1 – Souris, MB @ Wood Fire Deli
June 2 – Minnedosa, MB @ Inspire Gallery
June 4 – Quill Lakes, SK @ house concert
June 8&9 – Regina, SK @ Artesian
June 11 – Weyburn, SK @ Weyburn Calvary Baptist Church
June 16 – North Battleford, SK @ TBA
June 19 – Lethbridge, AB @ McKillop United (Lethbridge Pride)
June 23 – Ottawa, ON @ Harmony Haven Concerts
June 28 – Toronto, ON @ Hugh’s Room
July 5 – Hamilton, ON @ Artword Artbar
July 9 – Mont Carmel, PEI @ Mont Carmel Concert Series
July 14 – Sudbury ON, @ Fromagerie
July 15 – Manitoulin, ON @ Maja’s
July 27-29 – Calgary, AB @ Calgary Folk Fest
Aug 9 – Kelowna, BC – Parks Alive Concert Series
Aug 12 – Enderby, BC @ Lorenzo’s Cafe
Aug 13 – Vancouver, BC @ Café Deux Soleils
Aug 15 – Sicamous, BC @ Owlhead Creek B&B
Aug 16 – Canmore, AB @ TBC
Aug 17 – Medicine Hat, AB @ TBC
Aug 18 – Sept 3, European Tour
Sept 8&9 – Fredericton, NB @ Lansdowne House
Sept 16 – Halifax, NS @ Patchwork Concerts
Sept 22 – Durham, ON @ Garafraxa Theatre
Sept 23 – Manitoulin, ON @ Cafe In the Woods
Sept 29 – Wakefield, QC @ Black Sheep
Sept 30 – Kemptville, ON @ The Branch