Banff Centre for the Arts residency helps spur new album for Hannam
‘Acres of Elbow Room’ scheduled for release this week
Soon he’ll be off to Halifax, Fredericton and Saint John. But Lethbridge singersongwriter John Wort Hannam won’t be travelling far on Sunday.
That’s when he brings music from his new album to the Geomatic Attic.
Songs for “Acres of Elbow Room,” scheduled for release this week, came to life during a singersongwriter residency at the Banff Centre for the Arts.
“We experimented with different tempos, keys and grooves,” he says.
“It felt more like a band making music instead of musicians playing on my songs.”
In the process, Hannam says he learned a new way to write songs — focusing on just one thought.
“Now my songs have more depth, about one thing.”
Once Hannam’s new work was ready he returned to the Banff Centre and — joined by Jason Valleau on upright bass, Stephen Fletcher on keyboards and Jon May on drums — recorded his seventh album. In an interview, Hannam says it includes some of his most personal songs ever.
Since his last release, he explains, he’s become a father, he’s moved back to Lethbridge, he’s turned 50 — and he’s battled depression. Hannam chose a song dealing with depression, “Key of D Minor” as the first single release from the album.
At first, he expected he could reason his way out of anxiety and depression. But then his voice started to fade, and his writing stalled. “It threw me for a loop.” And though he grew up in a time when mental illness was never talked about, Hannam decided to look for professional help. He found that here in Lethbridge, and things began turning around.
“My voice came back,” and he began reminding others that men — despite the “strong and silent” stereotype — must sometimes reach out for help.
“It would help if more people speak up,” he says.
Having dealt with those issues, Hannam feels he’s able to live a more balanced life, with more time at home and less on the road.
That should also allow more time for writing, a passion that began shortly after he graduated (education and Native American Studies) from the University of Lethbridge. He taught six years at Kainai High School before surrendering to his life-long love of music.
Having moved to Fort Macleod, he also connected with South Country Fair and met countless musicians from many backgrounds.
“That was the catalyst,” and Hannam began performing his early songs along with cover versions of songs by folk icons like Fred Eaglesmith and Loudon Wainwright III.
Over the years since, “I went through four vans” as he drove to festivals and concerts across Canada and the U.S. He’d be on the road for weeks, months at a time. Now that’s history, although Hannam is racking up frequent flyer points.
“I want to get in, play the show and return home.”
Hannam will be home in Lethbridge on Oct. 12, when he’s scheduled to be inducted into the university’s Alumni Honour Society as part of the weekend’s Convocation events.
“I’m really honoured to be recognized by my own university,” he says.
On Sunday, Hannam and his band will take to the Geomatic Attic stage at 8 p.m. Tickets are available at Street Legal Records and the Yellow Door.