Live Music

“nimble wordplay… wistful and gorgeous” – American Songwriter   Ron Sexsmith is a three-time Juno award-winning singer songwriter from Ontario. The melodic songs of the 1960s drew Ron to music from an early age. There, he heard them on the radio and his mom’s record collection. Further, Buddy Holly and Elton John were his earliest musical heroes. He always loved to sing and started playing guitar at age fourteen. However, he didn’t truly become a songwriter until he was twenty-one. Ron moved his young family to Toronto to further pursue a career in music. There, he worked as a courier by day, while performing in the clubs by night. He formed the band Ron Sexsmith and The Uncool and started gaining attention from music label executives. But all passed on signing him. In 1991 he released his first full-length album, Grand Opera Lane. The Canadian music industry rejected the album, although it found its way to Los Angeles. Then, Ron signed his first music publishing deal followed by a recording contract. Sexsmith released his self-titled label debut album in 1995. The melancholic tone and sparse acoustic arrangements of the album met with disapproval from his label. However, an enthusiastic endorsement from Elvis Costello drew media attention and the album was declared a critical success. Rolling Stone wrote: “He just may be the most fluent balladeer to come along since Tim Hardin or Harry Nilsson.” He has built a steadfast reputation with critics and with some of his own songwriting heroes. These include Elton John, Ray Davies, John Prine, Gordon Lightfoot, Leonard Cohen and Paul McCartney. Additionally, Sexsmith is loved for his characteristically honest, sensitive, and enduring approach to the songwriting craft. Recommended for fans of Tim Hardin, Pernice Brothers, Del Amitri and Martin Sexton. 📸: Kerry Vergeer