big city dreams

SINGER EXPERIENCES CHRONICLED ON CD

Author: Dean Lisk
Source: Halifax, The Daily News
URL: www.hfxnews.ca
Date: May 24, 2007

When it came to inspiration for his new album, David Usher had to look no further than his cosmopolitan and somewhat eccentric Manhattan neighbourhood.

Caught on the train/Amuse myself and eavesdrop on those Japanese girls party-planning/ Chic and lovely broken English/ She smiles at me and mouths that we're all fools.

"A lot of the record is about New York," Usher said. "It is personal in a way, but it also has got a lot to do with the intermixing in my neighbourhood, and the mix of peace and craziness that you get down here."

The cast in his daily East Village life includes the old New Yorkers - who have lived in the neighbourhood for more than 50 years - the Wall Street types, tonnes of artists, and even fresh-off-the-boat Russian models.

"It is a great sort of blend in the world in a way - all trying to survive in Manhattan," Usher said.

The multi-Juno award winner will introduce Halifax to his neighbourhood when he performs two shows at Casino Nova Scotia tomorrow and Saturday.

His appearances are part of a tour the former Moist frontman is doing in support of his fifth solo album, Strange Birds.

"I love diversity, and I love seeing people blend," Usher said.

He moved to Manhattan a few years ago, and it is the experiences of the former Montrealer, seeing the Big Apple through Canadian eyes, that influence the new CD.

"You will always still be that little Canadian boy living in the big city, but - sort of at the same time - there is an adjustment and you get used to things," he said. "You blend into the city a bit and find your way.

"The album is a balance of those sorts of feelings. Where half of you is always an outsider and half of you feels at home."

That little-fish-in-a-big-pond feel also made it possible for the musician - whose exotic looks have left a few women weak-kneed - to work on the songs in a live environment.

Every six weeks or so, he and his band would work out arrangements and perform in small East Village bars.

"It changed the arrangements for us a lot," Usher said.

"The feedback from the audience was telling me immediately if things were working or not working.

"It affects the process of songwriting because the guys had a lot to do with the process. Before, I would go with songs and build all the parts in the studio. But, this time it was the same guys working on all the songs."

While there were some Canucks at the shows, Usher said these bar gigs were largely low-key affairs.

"There is something wonderful about getting to be anonymous here," he said. "It's relaxing, you know, hanging out with my daughter and going to the park and just hanging out."

It also allowed him to relax, and take time to listen and watch - and write. Even though Strange Birds was only released in March, Usher is already working on new material. He is on a musical high right now.

"We've found a thing that works for us, and I've got songs coming out. So, you kind of go with the songs. If the song is there and you are inspired to try it," Usher said.

"You have to follow that, because there are periods where you don't have anything."

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