Kris Wood, charismatic frontman of Vancouver jazz/ folk/ gypsy cabaret troupe Blackberry Wood is excited about things, from their new CD “Strongman and the Russian band, to their recent tour of the UK back in May.
Vancouver jazz/ folk/ gypsy cabaret band Blackberry Wood will be returning to the Slice, Sept. 27 to officially release “Strongman vs. the Russian Bears,” named after two of their songs on the record, which they have been playing a lot on recent tours.
“ We recorded it with Steven Drake of the Odds. He had a couple big hits like ‘Heterosexual Man,’ and he produced one of 54-40’s albums and “Trouble at the Henhouse” by the Tragically Hip, though our music is on a whole different level,” laughed frontman Kris Wood, taking it easy in Stanley Park in Vancouver before beginning the band’s latest tour.
“He’s a really good producer and he’s a genius with studio stuff,” Wood praised.
He said the band did a lot more preproduction for the record including playing the songs live on tour numerous times.
“ That was the plan. Next time we might record live off the floor,” he said.
“it’s sort of our third album. We have two Cds and one mystery CD, a few of which we have left. It’s got some strange stuff on it like a cover of ‘the Message,’ by Grandmaster Flash,” he observed.
They enjoyed their fifth tour of the United Kingdom.
“We were in Europe for two and a half weeks. it was fun. We played some really neat shows,” he said.
“We played a pub called the “Square and Compass,’ it’s about 700 years old, this pub and it was on the coast. It was voted one of England’s top 10 places to play. It was jam packed full of people. We had to play outside,” he said.
“We’ll be going back to play Glastonbury Festival next year,” he said.
They are very pleased with the new Cd which was released, Sept. 8.
“ We had a big CD release party in a huge hall,” he said.
We think it sounds great. We’ve been playing the new songs a lot and we’ve been playing a lot of shows, so we’ve got the sound down super-tight,” he said. They also have new audience participation activities.
“We get them to do the bicycle when they’re all on their backs and pedalling,” Wood described.
“ And we always have new and different costumes,” he continued.
The current edition of the revolving door line-up of the band is saxophonist Jenn Charter, drummer Ryan Trigg, trumpeter Shelder Footz and banjo player/ percussionist Devon Bates. Wood, Charter and Bates were with them last time.
Blackberry Wood play the Slice, Sept. 27 at approximately 9 p.m. There is a $10 cover.
