COLTER WALL

Colter Wall (born June 27, 1995) is a Canadian singer, songwriter, and musician. Known for his deep, gruff baritone and narrative songwriting, Wall's music encompasses country, folk, and western styles. His self-titled debut album was released in May 2017, and his second album Songs of the Plains in October 2018. His third album, Western Swing & Waltzes and Other Punchy Songs, was released in August 2020.

Colter Wall was born in Swift Current, Saskatchewan, on June 27, 1995, the son of Tami and politician Brad Wall. His father served as the 14th premier of Saskatchewan. He has an older sister named Megan and a younger sister named Faith. He attended Swift Current Comprehensive High School and graduated in 2013. He then studied at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon. He made demos of his songs while he was a student, and in 2015, he decided to take a break from his studies at the university to focus on his music career when his first EP was released.

Wall recorded a seven-song EP, Imaginary Appalachia, with Jason Plumb as producer in 2015 at Studio One in Regina, Saskatchewan. He collaborated on the EP with other artists from Regina such as Belle Plaine and The Dead South. He described his music as a blend of blues, folk and Americana. The EP was released on March 9, 2015  and "The Devil Wears a Suit and Tie" was released as his first single. His music gained more attention in late 2015 when professional wrestler Brock Lesnar mentioned him as a favorite artist during an interview with "Stone Cold" Steve Austin. Songs from the album were featured in the television show Dog the Bounty Hunter,and the films Hell or High Water and Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri. The track used in the films, "Sleeping on the Blacktop", gained more than a million streams on Spotify.

In 2016, Wall opened for Lucinda Williams at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville.He was signed to Rick Rubin's American Songs publishing company.

His first full-length album, self-titled Colter Wall, was produced by Dave Cobb at the RCA Studio A in Nashville. Wall was accompanied by Cobb on acoustic guitar, Chris Powell on drums, Mike Webb on piano, and Robby Turner on pedal steel. The album was released on May 12, 2017 and according to Wall, most of the songs on the album are autobiographical.

His second album, Songs of the Plains, was announced in July 2018 and was released on October 12, 2018.

In June 2020, Wall announced his third album, Western Swing & Waltzes and Other Punchy Songs for release on August 28 with independent label, La Honda Records.

Three of Wall's tunes are featured in the fourth season of the Paramount series Yellowstone. They include a moving rendition of the Rex Allen 1951 classic Cowpoke, plus Wall's own Plain to See Plainsman and Sleeping on the Blacktop. In the previous season, Wall performs Caroline with Belle Plaine.

Influences

Wall was familiar with country music growing up, as country artists such as Johnny Cash were played at home. He started learning guitar at the age of 13, playing music of rock bands such as AC/DC and Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin. Later he became interested in old blues artists, and then started to listen to folk music.According to Wall, he first heard Bob Dylan's song "Don't Think Twice, It's All Right" around grade 10 or 11 (aged 15 or 16), and he was inspired to start writing and singing songs instead of only playing guitar. Other early musical influences he cited include Woody Guthrie and Ramblin' Jack Elliott, and he had also expressed interest in country singers such as Gram Parsons, Townes Van Zandt, George Jones, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, and Hank Williams.

                                                       

“These songs are punchier than I am.”

— CW

Western Canadian songwriter, Colter Wall, is a weathered baritone that spins narratives on the stage. He sings traditionals known to most, historic reverie, and poignant originals, raising both goosebumps and beers throughout the evening. It’s a nostalgic atmosphere and a simple yet colorful experience.

On his third album, Western Swing & Waltzes and Other Punchy Songs, Wall’s 10-track ode to the themes and labors of western life, picks up where his last album left off, with a reverence for his “working cowboy kin.”   

Recorded in the heart of Texas at Yellow Dog Studios, Wall’s new album features his own band hot off a North American tour. Along the Blanco River bank, outside the small town of Wimberley, Colter and his boys recorded a collection of cowboy songs, old and new.

On the album is title track “Western Swing & Waltzes,” first heard on his Austin City Limits performance. Also included among the tracks is the Stan Jones’ classic “Cowpoke,” a cover with increasing popularity among fans. Featured on most tracks are stronghold sidemen like Patrick Lyons, a multi-instrumentalist who textures grooves with his standard pedal steel guitar, dobro, mandolin, and a few surprises. Prominent harmonica player Jake Groves graces many songs with haunting, long trails and leads. While longtime bass player, heard on Wall’s previous two albums, Jason Simpson, alongside drummer Aaron Goodrich, wrangles the band’s rhythm. A handful of friends including Emily Gimble and Doug Moreland lend their talents in addition to Wall’s live band sound.

Unlike his previous albums, Wall produced Western Swing & Waltzes and Other Punchy Songs on his own. His band. His choices. It was a decision that diversified and put some giddy-up in the album’s sound.

About the album, Wall said “these songs are punchier than I am.” With an increasing presence in the Western Lifestyle world, Wall is, however, no slouch on the ranch. As any new cattleman would, Wall adds to his herd, as he does his musical background. 

WEB SITE : http://www.colterwall.com/music