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Luke Nicholson’s New Album Takes Shape

Toronto singer/songwriter Luke Nicholson’s new album Shape And Sound, out April 14 on Maggie’s Room Records/Fontana North, displays once again the melodic gifts and poignant storytelling that has led him to be regarded as one of Canada’s true songwriting craftsmen. The album also marks a sonic departure from Nicholson’s previous work, drawing inspiration from the likes of The Lumineers and City & Colour.

Shape And Sound’s two-year journey following his previous release Frantic City not only led Nicholson to find his true artistic identity, it also encouraged him to firmly take the reins of his creative process. Nicholson worked closely with Marty Skrzypczyk, and between them they played every instrument while co-producing all the tracks from the beds up. Mixing was handled by Howie Beck, with Joao Carvalho applying his usual excellent mastering skills.

First single “All Your Dresses” gets straight to the heart of everything Shape And Sound represents, paying tribute to two of the most important relationships in Nicholson’s life. Using clothes as a metaphor, the song illustrates special moments shared between a husband and wife, and also the ideals his father instilled in him to be a good man and father, captured through the simple image of a tie. “I look at this track as my artistic fingerprint,” Nicholson says. “Instead of outsourcing parts or players, it truly is one voice speaking. From the beginning, making this album made music exciting for me again.”

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Born into a large, creative family in Lakefield, Ontario (one of his brothers is singer/songwriter Royal Wood), Luke Nicholson had his first major breakthrough in 2007 when the track “Breathe” from the filmPoor Boys Game earned a Genie nomination for Best Original Song. Nicholson’s debut album Mad Lovecame out in 2012, spawning three CBC Radio 2 Top 20 singles and earning glowing reviews in Europe, most notably from Rolling Stone (Germany) which named Nicholson “One To Watch” after he performed at Berlin’s prestigious IFA gala.

Next came the Frantic City LP in 2015, following a whirlwind year touring the world, including showcases at Midem in France and the Reeperbahn Festival in Hamburg. The material on that album reflected Nicholson’s life as a new father, and his regrets over the time spent apart from his newborn daughter while on tour. The album yielded the well-received singles “Maggie’s Song” and “Sadie.”

LUKE NICHOLSON TOUR DATES:
Feb 17 :: Georgetown ON :: Uncorked On Main
Feb 25 :: Peterborough ON :: Peterborough Folk Folly
March 3 :: Winnipeg MB :: Sam’s Place
March 4 :: Kenora ON :: The Belfry House
March 5 :: Fort Frances ON :: House Concert
March 8 :: Vancouver BC :: Cafe de Soleils
March 16 :: Guelph ON :: The Cornerstone
March 25 :: Toronto ON :: Mill Street Brewery Lights Out Festival
April 2 :: Wakefield QC :: Black Sheep Inn
April 6 :: Moncton NB :: Plan B
April 8 :: Halifax NS :: The Company House
April 19 :: Toronto ON :: The Burdock [Album Release Show]
May 20 :: Gravenhurst ON :: Sawdust City
June 23 :: Stouffville ON :: 19 On The Park [Sick Kids Hospital Benefit]
Oct 20 :: Ottawa ON :: National Arts Centre

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