tag:chrisronald.com,2005:/blogs/new-album-coming-soon-be36fad2-16b6-48e7-a404-2d79bd856678?p=2NEWS2023-11-12T17:18:19-08:00Chris Ronaldfalsetag:chrisronald.com,2005:Post/73027682023-11-12T17:18:19-08:002023-11-12T17:21:21-08:00Sparring Songwriters comes to BC<p>Juno-nominated John Wort Hannam is coming to BC to duke it out on stage with Chris. Refereed by award-winning multi-instrumentalist John Ellis, who has produced albums for both artists, the 2 acclaimed songwriters will duke it out on stage for an entertaining evening of songs, stories, and friendly upper cuts. Winner to be judged by the audience. Head to the <a class="no-pjax" href="/shows" data-link-type="page" data-link-label="Shows">Shows page</a> for info and tickets.</p><p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/462018/592da796f9aa2b4bc7cd382cd732982e2658726f/original/sparring.jpeg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>Chris Ronaldtag:chrisronald.com,2005:Post/71839962023-04-04T12:22:13-07:002023-10-16T07:59:52-07:00NEWS: Glowing live review from Americana UK<p>I'm just back from a UK tour promoting the <i>Light & Dark</i> album. It felt so good reconnecting with my roots and doing what I love most: performing live on stage. The UK is blessed with hundreds of folk and acoustic clubs that can keep a touring artist busy pretty much every night of the week. This tour included a stop at the wonderful <a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.twickfolk.co.uk/" target="_blank" data-link-type="url">TwickFolk</a>, which is located in Twickenham, London. I introduced myself to the club some years ago at one of their regular singaround nights, which then led to a warm-up spot a year or so later. This time, as the headliner, I was greeted by a room full of people including artist Alban Low (who made the line drawing) and Lyndon Bolton, who writes for Americana UK. Click <a class="no-pjax" href="https://americana-uk.com/live-review-chris-ronald-paul-hoad-twickfolk-cabbage-patch-twickenham-march-12th-2023" target="_blank" data-link-type="url">here</a> to read his in-depth review of the show. Americana UK is a fantastic online resource for lovers of the genre, and be sure to visit <a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.twickfolk.co.uk/" target="_blank" data-link-type="url">TwickFolk</a> next time you're in London.</p><p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/462018/a2b05de6bc7908551744b6106f8e364e1725df41/original/twickfolk-linedrawing.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>Chris Ronaldtag:chrisronald.com,2005:Post/71487232023-02-04T10:14:46-08:002023-04-04T13:05:10-07:00NEWS: 'Light & Dark' UK album release tour<p>At last the clouds are clearing! Many venues are back up and running, and I can get out there with the <i>Light & Dark</i> album. Light & Dark was recorded during the pandemic, and it's release in May 2021 couldn't be accompanied by the usual touring activity. Like many other artists I turned to the Internet to get word out, but the virtual stage is a poor cousin to the actual stage for someone who loves to perform and feel that human connection. I'm looking forward to going back to my roots for these UK dates.</p><p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/462018/d8d0925d3d1d14b3ff9c36d62c0fa81d7ae82761/original/uk2023-poster.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>Chris Ronaldtag:chrisronald.com,2005:Post/70026982022-06-27T10:29:33-07:002023-04-04T13:05:27-07:00NEWS: Canada & UK festivals, 2022<p>With some much-delayed touring on the horizon, I'll be finding my travelling feet again this summer with two fantastic festivals: one in Canada and one in the UK. July 23rd I'll be appearing with John Ellis at <a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.islandsfolkfestival.ca/" target="_blank" data-link-type="url" contents="Islands Folk Festival">Islands Folk Festival</a> in Duncan, BC, and August 5th I'll be at <a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.thelakedistrictfolkweekend.com/" target="_blank" data-link-type="url" contents="Lake District Folk Weekend">Lake District Folk Weekend</a> in Staveley, Cumbria. The release of a new album would normally be accompanied by national and international touring, but the small matter of a global pandemic spoiled those plans. Nice to be picking up the pieces with performances in my two home countries!<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/462018/a17bd276d56692b4f0534aff7b00857814947429/original/islands-poster.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.png" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>Chris Ronaldtag:chrisronald.com,2005:Post/67257472021-08-24T10:36:05-07:002023-04-04T13:05:50-07:00NEWS: Chart success for 'Light & Dark'<p>The <i>Light & Dark</i> album has been going great guns since its release. Thanks to all the radio DJs around the world for spinning tracks and placing it in the top 10 of all the major folk/roots charts. Here's a snapshot of achievements to date:</p><p>FAI Folk Chart (June 2021): #3</p><p>!earshot National Folk/Roots/Blues Chart (week ending August 17): #7</p><p>Roots Music Report Canadian Album Chart (week of August 14): #10</p><p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/462018/b56e1310c4453d55de6dc2fd19db1d7d080e4825/original/img-6364.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>Chris Ronaldtag:chrisronald.com,2005:Post/66733272021-06-28T17:18:35-07:002023-04-04T13:06:23-07:00NEWS: 'Light & Dark' live album video<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/462018/3a4b4d0b1b12477e496664c9d4e081e89ce6365d/original/screen-shot-2021-06-25-at-8-13-21-am.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.png" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p><p>COVID-19 got in the way of Chris doing a live concert to launch <i>Light & Dark</i>, so instead he made a high-quality live band video of the album to share with his fans. It's been posted to the Videos page and features John Ellis (the album's producer), Eric Reed, Kirby Barber, and Chris "The Wrist" Nordquist. Check it out!</p>Chris Ronaldtag:chrisronald.com,2005:Post/66486002021-06-03T12:26:48-07:002023-04-04T13:07:42-07:00NEWS: The new album is out!<p>The <i>Light & Dark</i> album has been released to the world. John Ellis and I began recording in March 2020, so it’s taken well over a year to finally be able to share it with you. When I consider how much preparation and how many moving parts it takes to create albums, I’m always amazed when they finally arrive, and that’s without adding COVID into the mix. Nevertheless, the project kept me occupied and focused through lockdowns and circuit breakers, and some of the songs really took on new poignancy as the pandemic stretched out and affected my own family. The album is so titled because the tracks purposefully alternate between light and dark subject matter and moods, though I believe the overriding sentiment is one of hope. Click <a class="no-pjax" href="https://chrisronald.fanlink.to/lightanddark" target="_blank" data-link-type="url" contents="here">here</a> for streaming/download options or head over to <a class="no-pjax" href="/store" data-link-type="page" data-link-label="Store" contents="my store">my store</a> for the CD and other merch.</p><p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/462018/b3c934d328b9a4e5fdb021234f8364194e994c9f/original/final-cover-cd.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>Chris Ronaldtag:chrisronald.com,2005:Post/66205982021-05-03T17:03:33-07:002023-04-04T13:07:19-07:00NEWS: Single releases in full swing<p>With just over 3 weeks to go before the <i>Light & Dark</i> album releases on May 28, the singles "City Girl" and "I Won't Change" have been creating some buzz. While they're racking up streams on Spotify and the like, it's the lyric videos that are really attracting some attention.</p><p>COVID hit just as I was about to record bed tracks for the album, and as the pandemic worsened I knew this release would be a very different kettle of fish. Normally I'd have lots of tour dates scheduled, but this time I'd need to find new ways to reach and grow my audience. The idea for comic-style lyric videos came to me during lockdown as I was enjoying a beer in the front yard. I recalled the field house at Vancouver's Memorial Park that is HQ for a collective of comic and graphic novel creators and just a stone's throw from my house. Through this collective called Cloudscape Comics I discovered the work of Kelly Chen (aka scarlet wings kaili), and before long we were collaborating on the videos.</p><p>The third and final video of the series is for the song "Still Turning" and will be released with the album on May 28. Click <a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.youtube.com/chrisronaldmusic" target="_blank" data-link-type="url" contents="here">here</a> to watch the first two on my YouTube channel, and please respond, comment, share, subscribe. I'd like to know what you think.</p><p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://youtu.be/cH5xCHf9a6M" target="_blank" data-link-type="url" contents=""><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/462018/8c392cc7f607a109cadb3ebd221323ce96526bea/original/screen-shot-2021-05-02-at-6-32-13-pm.png/!!/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.png" class="size_m justify_left border_" alt="" /></a><a class="no-pjax" href="https://youtu.be/qoByIGnmX1A" target="_blank" data-link-type="url" contents=""><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/462018/491014d77a1d536bcc01a879f6d50ba4d091553c/original/screen-shot-2021-04-11-at-7-18-02-pm.png/!!/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.png" class="size_m justify_right border_" alt="" /></a></p>Chris Ronald