Carroll dials down volume in new CD

St. Albert singer/songwriter Nathan Carroll, 30, is used to wearing a merry-go-round of musical hats.

On any given day, he could be directing a choir at the Alliance Church where he is the music director. Or he could be holed up in an Edmonton recording studio laying down instrumental tracks for another local musician.

And if he’s not in town, he could be touring with the James Murdoch Band (a close friend he’s been associated with for a number of years.)

But on Thursday, Oct. 27, Carroll will be centre stage at the Arden Theatre to release his third full-length album Mercy is a Bird. Opening for him is another hard-working St. Albert songwriter Simon Hoskyn, a law student at the University of Alberta.

“Simon is a phenomenal songwriter and performer. Having someone like him open the show will put pressure on me to deliver the goods. He writes songs a cut above the average, and he has a gorgeous voice with an acrobatic melody that lights a song right up.”

Carroll’s first album, Tie-In To Dyin’ (2007), was a country and western collection of sad meditations of life and love gone awry. His sophomore CD, Last Stop on the Dancing Bear Act (2009), dived right onto the Motown soul train.

“It was the first music I fell in love with: The Temptations, Aretha Franklin, The Supremes. It was the music I loved the longest and I chose to express myself in that style.”

While Carroll’s first two albums denoted specific styles, Mercy is a Bird is a more easy-going, laid-back set of 13 acoustic arrangements with a folk vibe.

“I feel as a songwriter I was stronger and didn’t need the confines of specific styles.”

Many of the songs are mellow reflections of family life. The Winnipeg transplant is a father of three and his moments of inspiration often flourished after the kids were in bed.

Instead of recording in a box-like environment, Carroll booked a log cabin near Dapp where, free of distractions, his entourage captured the live-off-the-floor energy.

“Recording live-off-the-floor is my M.O. It’s not pristine and polished, but it yields the strongest sense of vibe and feel.”

Accompanying Carroll was guitarist Brock Tyler, keyboardist David Aide, bassist Dustin Roy and St. Albert drummer Ben McNab.

The producer was James Murdoch, who co-owns Norwood Studios in partnership with Chris Wynters of Captain Tractor.

“James has a natural way with musicians and he has a great ear to steer musicians in the right direction. I’ve felt I’ve done some of my best studio work with his engineering and producing.”

Several songs that remain standouts are the adult lullaby When the Day is Done Does it Die and Grand Avenue, a ghostly highway song. A particularly effusive tune is Mavis, an ode to his daughter.

“I love my two boys to death, but there’s an incredibly gushy feel with a girl and I look forward to being part of her life.”

In exploring his own musical styles, Carroll generously works to highlight as many St. Albert musicians as possible.

“There are some strong artists coming out of St. Albert with some interesting stuff and this is a good time to enjoy it.”