If you鈥檝e never heard of Jeff Lang, don鈥檛 fret, it鈥檚 likely because you鈥檙e not Australian.
Described as Australia鈥檚 best roots guitarist by Rolling Stone Magazine in 2014, Lang has spent the past two decades taking the best elements of blues, world music and jazz to create a sound that is original and restlessly inventive.
鈥淪omeone said to me years ago that it鈥檚 kind of like disturbed folk music and I thought that seemed to fit,鈥� said Lang, who will perform at the Olive Bistro and Lounge Jan. 30.聽 聽
In preparation for his upcoming Western Canadian tour, Lang has put together a six-song EP called Running by the Rock.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a bit of a snap-shot and career overview,鈥� said Lang. 鈥淚鈥檝e been making a lot of records through the years down here in Australia and other parts of the world, but not a lot of them have been released in Canada, especially over the past 15 years, so it鈥檚 just a way to get some of the songs released over there.鈥�
Part of Lang鈥檚 musical allure stems from his tailored approach to each performance, allowing the unique energy of each night to shape his songs.
鈥淚 think it鈥檚 more interesting to approach each gig as it鈥檚 own experience, because even if you鈥檙e playing in the same room night after night for several weeks, each night has a different audience and they bring different expectations and a different energy, so each night tends to take on a different form.鈥�
With 15-studio albums, Lang has had the opportunity to collaborate with a range of musicians from around the world, including American blues/rock singer-songwriter Chris Whitley and Grammy award winning master kora player Mamadou Diabate.
Lang kicks off his Western Canadian tour Jan. 29 in Prince George, B.C. and will hit 10 stops before returning to Australia.
鈥淚t鈥檚 the first time I鈥檒l be in Jasper, but not the first time in Canada. The visits tend to be sporadic and some of the places that I鈥檓 visiting on this trip I haven鈥檛 been to in 20 years.鈥�
To catch Lang鈥檚 show, head to the Olive Bistro and Lounge Jan. 30. The show starts at 8 p.m. and advance tickets can be purchased for $10. They鈥檙e also available at the door for $15.
Paul Clarke [email protected]
