Leif Vollebekk (Photo by Vanessa Heins)
Leif Vollebekk is a Montreal adopted singer-songwriter, who last released New Ways in 2019. He’s preparing to release a live EP, New Waves (Live Recordings ’19-’21), and he appears at Union Stage on Friday, April 1.
Leif’s highly anticipated fourth full-length album New Ways was the follow-up to his breakthrough Polaris Music Prize finalist, Juno-nominated record Twin Solitude.
“The way that it was is the way it should be,” Vollebekk sings on “Phaedrus” — a line that’s a memory and a wish. New Ways is that too: the sound of desire in its unfolding. Two years ago, things were changing so fast, and the songwriter didn’t want to forget.
“I often think of Leonard Cohen’s line, ‘I hope you’re keeping some kind of record,’” Leif said. “So I did.” It was like he was pretending you can compose a soundtrack to your own life (which perhaps you can).
Stream “Phaedrus” by Leif Vollebekk on YouTube:
In the end, New Ways is a document of everything Vollebekk felt, the way each moment arrived and moved through him. Whereas Twin Solitude was about self-reflection, New Ways is about engaging and changing, touching and being touched. It’s a physical record, with louder and tighter grooves, and the rawest lyrics the musician has ever recorded. A portrait of beauty, desire, longing, risk, remembrance — without an instant of regret. “She’s my woman and she loved me so fine,” goes the chorus to one tune. “She’ll never be back.”
Leif Vollebekk
w/ La Force
Union Stage
Friday, April 1
Doors @ 7pm
$18
All ages