Jeffery Straker, a singer-songwriter of piano-powered folk-pop based in Regina and Toronto will be making a stop at The Gog Oct. 22 on his latest tour.
For some people "folk-pop" is still too vague a signifier to know what they're in for.
"I describe it as succinctly as I can as folk-pop but, that said," says Straker, "folk-pop can be many things. Pop can be many things and folk can be many things, but the most comparisons that my music gets is a mix of Billy Joel, Harry Chapin, early Elton John and Rufus Wainwright, although it really depends on who's listening.
"My vocal timbre is probably more pop-y," the Saskatchewan-born singer adds, "but a lot of my songs are story songs so invariably that draws a folk comparison."
Some songs were inspired in part by living in Saskatchewan, with Straker's first album released in 2006 titled Songs from Highway 15. Since then, Straker has released four studio albums, with his latest being released in 2015 called North Star Falling.
Now in the midst of a tour with recent stops in places like Edmonton, Winnipeg and Regina, Straker says he's no stranger to playing house shows, as well.
"I've really only heard about (The Gog) from people who've been to a show there, but I do play a lot of house concerts everywhere all around Canada when I do a tour," says Straker. "I believe it was someone at my last show at the Dekker Centre who cornered me in the lobby and told me I really needed to play at The Gog, and then a short time later Kelly (Waters, owner of The Gog) emailed me about a show."
Straker added, "house concerts are something I really love."
Admission to the 8 p.m. show Oct. 22 at The Gog is $20 with all proceeds going to the artist. There will also be a donation jar to cover food and drinks costs. Sign up at 306-445-6766 or waterskelly@hotmail.com
