Jerry Leger Talks ‘Donlands’, Instruments And More
Words by Glenn Sargeant
Photo Credit: Laura Proctor
Critically-acclaimed Canadian singer-songwriter Jerry Leger has released his brand new studio album ‘Donlands’, once again via Cowboy Junkies’ label Latent Recordings. He spoke to JLTT about the album:
Your latest album ‘Donlands’ is out now. What was the idea/thought process behind the record?
The idea for me was to make a record that lived and floated in a different dimension. I love the otherworldly sounds of 50s doo wop records and early rock ‘n’ roll like Everly Brothers and Elvis. Something about the space in the recordings and the use of echo in a natural way.
Where did you record it and who produced it?
It was recorded in Toronto at Gold Standard Recorders and produced by Mark Howard.
Do you have any interesting, funny or memorable stories from the recording sessions?
Well, it’s not really a story but I’ll forever remember that we were looking for a certain sound on “I’ll Stay”. We found it when Mark suggested to Kyle Sullivan (drums) to use a bread knife on the snare. Worked out perfectly!
Where is your hometown and could you please describe it in five words?
Toronto. Big but can feel small.
One of the singles from the album is entitled ‘Slow Night In Nowhere Town’. What was the story/inspiration behind this song?
It’s one of only a couple songs on the album that were written in 2020. I wrote it at the beginning of the pandemic, so I think it was born out of that isolation. It’s grown into a film noir in song. I also have a nod to Bert Jansch and my favourite album of his, ‘Thirteen Down’.
What is the reason for the ‘Donlands’ album title?
The studio is located in the old Donlands Theatre on Donlands Ave.
Do you have any favoured stage instruments, effects, pedals etc?
My main electric is a 1952 Reissue Fender Telecaster through a 1965 reissue Fender Princeton. I also have a 1969 Tele and a newer Epiphone Casino (they’re so fun). For acoustics, my favourite is a 1959 Gibson Southern Jumbo but I don’t take that on stage.These days, my stage acoustic has been a 1976 Guild. It’s a nice one and I don’t have to worry too much about taking it out of the house! For effects, I mainly just use the reverb and tremolo from the amp and sometimes an Echoplex pedal.
Do you have any plans to tour in the UK and Europe to support the release in 2024?
Yes! We’re looking at the second half of May for a string of UK dates. I’m sure there will be more in Europe too.
Who played on the album with you?
My regular band, The Situation: Dan Mock – bass/vocals, Kyle Sullivan – drums/vocals, Alan Zemaitis – piano/organ/vocals with Aaron Goldstein – pedal steel/guitar/vocals, whose studio we recorded it in and he also assisted Mark Howard on the engineering side.
How do you look after your voice?
I don’t really do anything but I should look into that! I guess I just try not to strain it and work with it dynamically.
What makes Jerry Leger happy and what makes you unhappy?
Happy: Writing, recording, performing
Unhappy: when the business side gets in the way of what makes me happy.
Photo Credit: Laura Proctor
Jerry Leger’s latest album ‘Donlands’ is out now on Cowboy Junkies’ Latent Recordings. For more information visit his official website here: https://jerryleger.com/
