Zaac Pick will have Ottawa stargazing with his performance at the Black Sheep Inn on May 7, where he will be sharing songs from his new folk-pop album Constellations.
The Vancouver-based singer-songwriter released his debut full-length album last month. Co-produced by Jonathan Anderson, the album was recorded over a span of nearly two years and across four provinces, with band members in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto and Montreal.
“Ultimately I am making music trying to recreate how much music means to me—how it has accompanied me through good times or helped me through more difficult times,” Pick explains. “It is always incredibly rewarding to hear that your music has done that for someone else.”
Constellations is a collection of nine heartfelt songs featuring compelling lyrics and haunting melodies. Pick’s favourite track on the album is Kites.
“It is the song that I feel allowed me to explore some new possibilities and territory with my voice that I didn’t know were there,” he explains. “I am really glad that my producer encouraged me to explore my range a little more.”
Take a listen to the track here.
Pick has released two albums before Constellations. His first solo EP, Fierce Wind, came out in 2009 and his sophomore EP, Whitewater, in 2011. After two years of steady writing and touring, Pick has seen much growth in his music.
“If the albums were a painting, the other ones would be more muted and less saturated colours,” Pick says. “This one has a lot more texture and depth for sure.”
So far in his career, Pick has earned a West Coast Music Award nomination for Best Solo Roots Recording and has shared stages with acts like Grammy-Award winning duo the Civil Wars, Bahamas and Noah Gundersen. His music has also been used on primetime TV shows including Rookie Blue, Saving Hope, Bitten and One Tree Hill.
Pick is hitting stages across the country throughout April and May. He will be stopping in Wakefield, Quebec this month.
“I have had a few small, but really good shows (in the Ottawa area) so I am really looking forward to coming back,” Pick explains. “Especially being from the opposite side of the country, it is just a really fun place.”
For more information about Constellations or its release tour, visit Pick’s website.
