Edmonton born, Toronto based musician/ author Eamon McGrath decided to tell the stories he want to in a different way, using a word processor rather than a guitar and a microphone.
Eamon McGrath and his band, bassist Lee Klippenstein who also plays in the Slates; pedal steel/ electric guitarist
Darrek Anderson - who also plays in The Dungarees, and The Guaranteed and drummer Jerf Sebastian who played in early-2000s Vancouver punk band The Doers, play the Owl Acoustic Lounge on Saturday, May 13.
He is supporting the release of his new book “Berlin-Warsawzan Express” by bringing his band on the road and playing some music.
“I’m very excited to release this book. I pitched as a novel/ fictionalized memoir. I’m a songwriter, but I wanted to find a different method to tell these stories,” he said noting the book reflects his experiences as as touring musician as it is about a young songwriter and a Canadian abroad and exploring a foreign culture in Europe.
“ I also wrote a lot of songs about the experience which will be on upcoming album,” he said.
“But the experience of a songwriter traveling Europe on a train in the mid-2000s are absolutely true because that’s what I did from 2009-2012. Though some aspects have been exaggerated and some names of people and cities have been changed to reflect the story,” he said.
“ I was taking some time and starting to write down some of my experiences and that’s when the book came about,” he continued, adding the project took on of a life of it’s own, which lead to the publishing deal and subsequent tour.
He noted the story has captured a moment in time.
“A lot has changed even since then with the emergence of right wing movements and Brexit,” he observed, adding he wanted to focus on Warsaw to Berlin.
“I could write a story about touring Canada too. But people like to hear stories about different places. It’s fun to look at things from different perspectives. I was approaching it as a stranger observing the culture,” he continued adding he released three Eps in two years.
He noted the Lethbridge show will have a diverse sound.
“There will be loud punkish music and more tender, delicate stuff. It will really run the gamut. We‘re really excited to play,” he said.
Eamon McGrath and his band plays the Owl Acoustic Lounge, May 13 at 9 p.m. Admission is by donation.
