Mike DiRisio
10/10/07
Craig Cardiff is back, bringing his acoustic folk melodies across Canada. Touring all the way from British Columbia to Nova Scotia, he does not plan on leaving any Canadian in the dark.
With the release of his newest album Goodnight (Go Home), he now has even more music to share with the nation. Remarkably his 11th release, this album is one that has been brewing for quite some time.
His newest release was produced by Les Cooper and showcases talent from Paul Mathew, along with many other musicians. These are two people whom Cardiff has found he has a great relationship with when it comes to writing and recording.
"I've worked with Les on my last several albums, and Paul and I started playing together back in highschool," said Cardiff. "It's the same relationship editors and novelists have - having producers who can push the song into a stronger place is always handy."
Although the themes underlying his songs are varied, he has a tendency to focus on the many different sides of the human condition. His writing style tends to begin somewhat messy, which is something that he feels makes his music sound far more human and real.
"Some of my songs deal with loss - people leaving from illness, and I've just written the song as it needed to be," said Cardiff. "Afterwards, I'll worry that it's a bit raw or overexposed."
This unusual style appears to be well received by fans, since it has helped them to connect to his music. Cardiff has found solace in this connection, and appreciates how fans see themselves in his music.
"I've always been surprised at how people are at shows, saying 'that's what it was like for me'. It's confirmation that the song needed to be put out there," said Cardiff.
The fans are always in the back of Cardiff's mind, and he wants to remove the distance that a stage can create. Although he views himself as a performer, he wants to do much more than just put on a good show. He strives to communicate with the listener on a deeper level.
"Music is meant to be a conversation between people and so its crucial as an artist to get out there, to listen and talk, learn from the conversations, and take the conversations to new places," he said.
As a veteran musician, Cardiff knows the ins and outs of putting on a good show.
"I believe that all live shows are about weddings and fistfights - it's all a matter of degree, presentation and intensity," said Cardiff.
This philosophy has proven itself effective over the many years he has been on the road, and this road has taken him much farther than most folk/acoustic artists out there.
Touring extensively over the years, he has travelled down many of the back-roads that weave through Canada and the United States. He has learned a great deal about the local scenes of these cities and towns, and feels that Canada has great potential when it comes to music.
"The biggest difference I've come across is how the U.S. has so many older, established cities, steeped in the culture and appreciation of music," said Cardiff. "As Canadians, I feel like we're still growing those audience bases and listening rooms."
Whether it's with the intensity of a back alley brawl, or the elegance of a beautiful wedding, Cardiff wants the audience to experience something truly unique.
Craig Cardiff plays Isaac's on Oct. 13.
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