Ghost Light shines past the darkness

Toronto-based singer-songwriter Royal Wood turns on a ghost light at the Arden Theatre this coming Friday and Saturday.

Wood, along with his four-man support team, is touring Ghost Light, his latest album released in April 2016 with Cadence Music.

“The album for me was a return to creation for the joy of creation like when I was a kid. A true letting go and just allowing,” says Wood.

“I jumped around from instrument to instrument in the studio; playing guitar and piano solos, bass, percussion, anything and everything I could get my hands on.”

Wood flew to Los Angeles and played on almost 90 per cent of the album with diverse artists contributing to the process. They included producer Bill Lefler helming the project, Tim Abraham’s skilled hand at the mix and Joao Carvalho at the master.

“It was certainly momentous in my life. I was trying to let go. When I flew to L.A., I didn’t know if I’d be demoing or recording. I just jumped in and started picking up instruments. By day three, I was in the flow,” Wood says.

It starts with the title track, a 12-year old poetic song, about extinguishing the light, letting ghosts in and letting go of inhibitions.

“It’s just me and the ghost performing and writing the way I started as a kid.”

There is also the lovely piano-driven ballad titled Dear Anna, the first tune Wood felt compelled to record in a long while. And in the soaring A World Between Us, he rediscovers the adrenalin rush at first playing an electric guitar.

At first glance Wood appears to be someone who has it all – a charismatic stage presence, a successful career, a loyal fan following, a strong family unit and romantic good looks.

Unfortunately, in 2013 his marriage to Canadian singer-songwriter Sarah Slean ended in divorce. He chose to deal with emotional-psychological loss by retiring to Ireland for six weeks. A friend rented a cottage in the village of Slane near his ancestral home of Rathkenny in County Meath.

The “cathartic” trip was a healing experience and Wood left Ireland six weeks later carrying 40 songs – enough for two reciprocal albums – The Burning Bright (2014) and I Wish You Well (2014).

“They’re all connected from Burning Bright to Ghost Light. The albums are about moving from the dark to the light.”

More than the other albums, Ghost Light delivers more spontaneous creativity to the front lines and showcases a deep understanding of personal odysseys.

“There’s a definite through-line. There’s no artifice. I wanted to make something people wanted to hear. I wanted things to feel genuine and I definitely didn’t want to get into auto-tune. I respect success that is based on the real thing.”

Music is Wood’s driving passion and he’s surrounded himself with like-minded musicians. Performing with him is bassist Steve Zsirai, guitarist Tom Juhas, drummer Mark Mariash and keyboardist Robbie Grunwald.

Opening for Wood is Canadian country singer-songwriter Jessica Mitchell. A 2016 Canadian Country Music Awards nominee for Roots Artist of the Year, Mitchell also travelled through dark times after her mother died from cancer.

Her EP release Hold Onto the Light is her way of forging a bond with the audience and sharing hope.