The transcendent folk singer/songwriter Ray LaMontagne is set to release his 5th studio album, “Supernova,” on May 6.
LaMontagne isn’t your average artist.
In fact, before entering the music industry, he lived much of his life in poverty. He was discovered for his hidden musical talent while working in a shoe factory.
It’s been 10 years since the release of his debut album “Trouble,” the title track of which many might recognize from the 2009 Travellers Insurance dog commercial. If you look it up, I bet it’d jog your memory.
In 2004 “Trouble” established LaMontagne as a chilled out yet heart wrenchingly soulful folk musician. Trouble is gold certified, which means it has sold more than 500,000 copies of some form.
His next couple albums, 2006’s “Till The Sun Turns Black” and 2008’s “Gossip In The Grain,” helped build his credibility as one of the most progressive and interesting folk musicians, comparable to Iron & Wine. The latter of those two albums even debuted at no. 3 on the Billboard 200 chart.
His last album release, 2010’s “God Willin’ & The Creek Don’t Rise,” earned LaMontagne a Grammy with his crafty funk infusion to his folky style alongside The Pariah Dogs.
Even after accumulating these prestigious accolades, Ray LaMontagne was reportedly driven to depression by his career as a musician. With his greatest achievement only recognized with the addition of another band, he told Rolling Stone he felt as though people did not like his solo music.
He even considered quitting the music industry.
It wasn’t until he got the opportunity to work with Dan Auerbach (The Black Keys) that he got back into creating music. He had wanted to work with Auerbach for a while, and it was the right amount of incentive LaMontagne needed to get back into the recording process without hating it.
Because LaMontagne has no formal vocal training, it can be quite difficult to record his sound in the studio. He never sings a song the same way twice, but this does not take away from his incredible talent.
With Auerbach producing his new album, and LaMontagne’s new frivolous approach, this album is sounding a lot different than the previous direction his albums have gone in. He’s reinvented his work with a more poppy, upbeat edge.
He has reported that he not only enjoyed the process of recording “Supernova,” but is also excited to tour because of his new songs, particularly to play more electric guitar instead of acoustic.
Speaking about the tour, he will be playing here in Peoria at the Civic Center June 17. With the primarily indie appeal that LaMontagne has earned through his previous music, it seems a little weird that he would come to a smaller city where ticket sales might not be high.
Although, the seemingly poppy edge he has adopted on this new album could be the edge LaMontagne needs to draw a more sizeable crowd.
