PETE EASTMURE

In anticipation of Raz Mataz Magazine's Music Almost Famous show at JangBang Bar & Grill in Toronto on March 30, I had a beer with Pete Eastmure and discussed his music.

We order a couple of pints and start chatting about music.



Raz Mataz Magazine (RMM): How would you describe your music?

Pete Eastmure (PE): I play what I call folk soul. It’s rooted in the folk tradition but it’s soulful writing and singing, with lots of piano, guitars, and some horns on the latest record, Songs for Mezz, released on January 30th.



RMM: How long have you been playing, and how many albums do you have?

PE: I’ve been in this business for about 30 years. Let’s see… two albums that are available right now. One got kind of buried in the mastering process and is not available right now. And I’m working on a new EP now.

The record I just did that I’ve been promoting has flugelhorn, trumpet, and trombone (Chris Butcher from the Heavyweights on trombone)… about 10 guest musicians total. Hammond organ, drums, bass, piano, and I play guitars and solo piano on one of the tunes. It’s a bit of a stew.



RMM: Let’s talk about your background. When did you start playing and who were your influences?

PE: I started playing when I was about ten years old. I took one year of guitar lessons and really loved it. My family had these records around the house… Tijuana Brass, Frank Sinatra, Johnny Cash. A real mix, and I gravitated towards it all.

When I was about 14, I started listening to Bob Dylan, Cat Stevens, Crosby Stills Nash and Young, Neil Young a lot. I was kind of in the folk-rock tradition. So at that time I started playing a lot more guitar, and started writing songs.



RMM: Growing up in the Neil Young era, if you will – being in Ontario, did you relate strongly to him?

PE: I can identify with him for sure. He was living in Omemee, and I was thinking, “How can this guy be living in this same area and then follow his dreams and move to California?” I really related to his songs about isolation, loneliness. So I hitchhiked out of my farm when I was 18, hitchhiked through the States to California. I had to get out and find my own way.



RMM: Then what?

PE: I kept hitchhiking around. I went out East to a small town called Chester in Nova Scotia. I met some guys at the Atlantic Folk Festival, just around campfire jamming. They invited me back to form a band, and we ended up being a big local band. We’d play the limited venues in the town, and play summer festivals in the summer. We practiced and played six or seven days a week.

Then I came back and did some other stuff, some theatre stuff, but kept writing songs. It was all about the music for me. I met up with Oliver Schroer, the world-renowned fiddle player, and he actually ended up producing my first record. His atmospheric stuff really suited my folk base.

I was also influenced by Bruce Cockburn, Glenn Gould, and Joni Mitchell of course. But I never wanted to be labelled strictly as a folk player.

I listened to other stuff too… Genesis, Pink Floyd. What I’m doing now is more what I call cabaret folk, with a lot more piano. I recently collaborated with Rachel Mercer, one of the world’s top cello players.



RMM: Let’s talk a bit about the music that you’ve been recording and producing recently.

PE: I’m interested in creating an environment that’s conducive to the songs. I use the expertise around me, so everyone collaborates in making the sound. This album was digital, but recorded with vintage gear. And we’ve got some really great musicians playing on the album. People who are really tried-and-true, but also people that I connect with personally. I’m not interested in playing with hired guns; I need to play with people I dig. That way the music resonates with people.

I want this album to sound like it could be played live. I have a lot of respect for musicians that layer a lot of stuff up in the studio – people like Bon Iver really - Olivia D'Orazio

RPM Magazine:
"It's rare when an artist can capture the essence of country, roots, folk and pop and author all the music as well. Eastmure has a gentle, lingering and lilting vocal appeal that brings this potpourri of all the more interesting music genres into a complete package of entertainment."

Walt Gervais, (Co-Founder Juno Awards) - RPM MAGAZINE

" I have to give this CD, an eleven out of eleven..."
Walt Gervais, (Co-founder of JUNO awards) - RPM MAGAZINE

"The music of Pete Eastmure eloquently makes the argument that attempting to classify an artist into a pigeonhole like Folk, Jazz, Rock or Pop is an artificial and essentially fruitless endeavor. For Eastmure’s songs, rich with lush vocals and accompanied sometimes with a full orchestra, others by spare piano or guitar and a little percussion and horn emphatically defy categorization.
The host of The Monday Sessions open mic stage at Dave’s…On St.Clair will also be taking over the cozy café at 730 St. Clair tonight at the formal release for his album Songs For MeZZ an impressive collection of moods, melodies and masterful composition.
Songs like “Outside”, “Welldigger”, and “Sure Would Be Nice” are poignantly powerful listens that incorporate elements of Folk, Rock, Lounge Jazz and Pop to create a unique and memorable sound while addressing subjects in an earnest yet unpretentious way."
Toronto Moon, Jan. 30th, 2011 - TORONTO MOON, Jan, 2011

"Framed by it's exquisite tapestry and earnest vocals reminiscent of Dan Folgelberg, the lyrics of Peter Eastmure's "New Year's Eve" with cautions that every day we make a choice to turn things around and make a difference"
Blown like a leaf...I was on a cosmic ride
There's the rich with the beef
And the poor on the streets
Soaked in humility and pride.
What tomorrow brings let the Peace Bells ring
But tonight it is New Year's Eve."

Once again, Mr. Eastmure's lush melodies were a treat in "The Fresh & The Dry (The Essence of Shine)", a slow, emotional piece laid bare romantic disappointments." (2009) - lailaboulos@livemusicreport.com

"You sound like Neil Young and Kris Kristofferson...."
LIQUID LUNCH with HUGH REILLY, THATCHANNEL, STELLA HUNT
(January 2011)
- ThatChannel, Liquid Lunch with Hugh Reilly

"...Strong soulful voice."
Darrin Pfeiffer, The Edge 102.1 (2009) - The Edge Rock 102.1 Radio FM

"I got great feedback on your performance that night LULA LOUNGE...and I personally really enjoyed it".
ALLEN STEINWALL, OPERATION SPRINGBOARD CHARITY WINTER BLUES EVENT, 2009 - OPERATION SPRINGBOARD

"Your set was quite excellent" 2009 - GARY, THEREALGARYSEVENTEEN