Calgary musician Matthew Swann is psyched to present a new Astral Swans tour at the Owl Acoustic Lounge, Saturday, May 19.
 On May 18, He releases “Strange Prison,” the long awaited follow up to his debut 2015 album “All my Favourite Singers Are Willie Nelson.”
 He has released two singles “Controls” and “What Are You Going to Do With Yourself.”

Swan worked with a couple of different producers for the new CD including long time collaborator Dan Mangan, who released the first album on his own record label Madic Records, Paul Chirka, Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra sound engineer and the Preoccupations’ Scott Munro.

 The album also included contributions from fellow Calgary musician Rena Kozak aka Child Actress and several other guests including electronica artist Tigerwing.
“ There‘s a lot more production  on this record, Swann said, adding he recorded the last record in his living room with his friend Brad Hawkins of Ghostkeeper.
 He noted Chirka helped  provide the more orchestral sound of the album.
“He has a lot of expertise in recording,” Swann said, noting he recorded the album last summer at the different studios.
“ And it was great to work with Dan. He put out the last album,” he said.

 He has a few Alberta shows including Lethbridge, before he goes on tour in japan
 “It‘s always  a treat to play Lethbridge and play the Owl. It‘s been a while,” he said.

“ I’ll be playing a lot of the new record and some of the older songs,” he said.

 He plays nine shows in Japan beginning May 25 before returning for a show in Vancouver.

“I’ll take any opportunity to play that I can. A Japanese record company is releasing this record and I like to go play where people are releasing a record,” he said, adding he has never been to Japan before.
“ I got approached to play Japan. It’s going to be an experience to go and play  a country where I don’t speak the language and  am not familiar with the culture. But I’m very excited about the opportunity,” he said.

 He will be playing Lethbridge with bandmates including drummer Joe Ramirez keyboardist Sara Beth and guitarist/bassist Dillon Whitfield.

“ We’re excited to play,” he said.
 Astral Swans, MTBC and Conversations with Bears play the Owl Acoustic Lounge, May 19 at  10 p.m. admission is by donation.