We caught up with Huntsville, ON-based country artist, Paul Lagendyk for our newest segment of Five Questions With. Check out his single, “Blue Collared Cowboy” below and take a few moments to find out more about Paul.
Care to introduce yourself to our readers?
I was born and raised in Ontario’s Oro/Medonte region, Canadian Country is in my blood. My music has been inspired by the places I have been across Canada, the characters I have met and my deep, old-time roots all of which come alive in my original compositions.
Tell us a bit about your music and writing style.
George Jones, Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash and Kris Kristofferson the legends of old-style country were the staples in my childhood home. Family jam sessions around the kitchen table, rural country, bluegrass festivals and modern-day troubadours such as Chris Stapleton and Steve Earl add a very organic base to my songwriting. I write about real life (work, family, kids) blue-collar people and the challenges we face every day.
Do you have any upcoming shows? For someone who has yet to see you live, how would you explain your live performance?
Currently, I’m in the midst of organizing a fall schedule of shows. I’m talking with venues in Barrie, Toronto, North Bay, Sudbury, Elliot Lake, Parry Sound, and Hunstville ON. I like to perform on either end of the spectrum. On big stages, it’s super high energy with a full band and stage show. When I play a smaller venue I really enjoy breaking down the songs and playing as an acoustic duo or trio, to give it the singer/songwriter feel.
If you were asked to suggest only one of your songs for someone to hear, which would it be?
Canadian Country. The song is a 3 minute trip across Canada which drives to inspire the huge underlying patriotism that Canadians have but do not always show. It was released between my debut “Shiny Rails to Nowhere” and my latest “Blue Collared Cowboy” albums. The song idea was developed when an elderly Canadian fiddle player told me I was “singing like an American”. He actually took the time to look up my name in the local phone book and call me at home to tell me this, so I took it to heart!
Canadian Beats is all about Canadian music, so who are your current favourite Canadian bands/ artists?
In no particular order, I’m really enjoying listening to The James Barker Band, Megan Patrick, Dean Brody, Paul Brandt, Tim Hicks, and The Redhill Valleys right now. It does change quickly however as we have so much Canadian Talent in the country music scene right now.
Connect with Paul Lagendyk:
Website
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram