A joy ride with Steve Poltz _{by Madelaine Empson}

Veteran North American troubadour Steve Poltz first made his bones as frontman for underground legends The Rugburns. In the 30-odd years since, the Halifax-born singer-songwriter and guitarist has magnetised fans and acclaim both as a solo artist and through collaborations with the likes of Billy Strings, Molly Tuttle, The Wood Brothers, Andy Frasco, and Jewel – an ongoing creative partnership that saw him co-write the platinum hit You Were Meant For Me.

To date, Poltz has 14 solo studio albums to his name – “not counting The Rugburns records, live things, and bootlegs floating around”, he notes – that rep his inspired brand of rockin’ countrified folk Americana. The latest is JoyRide.

Poltz is thrilled – which might be an understatement – to be heading down to our corner of the world to celebrate the new album with his Aussie and Kiwi fans.

“Australia and New Zealand?” he writes, inserting several incredulous, ecstatic question marks and exclamation points. “Are you kidding me?”

Hailed by American Songwriter for “his unhinged live performances”, Poltz is “calling all freaks” to join him across Aotearoa on a national tour that includes a Wellington gig at Meow on the 28^th of March at 4pm.

“Calling all freaks. Come in, freaks. Come in. Is this mic on? Plan ahead – we’re going down under! Let’s have a blast, meet new freaks, and become lifelong buddies. Look at all these shows – it’s happening! This will be my 23^rd trip to the land down under and my third to NZ. I can’t wait!”

Please tell me about your new album JoyRide. What would you say it’s about, and how are those themes represented sonically?

It’s about life. A raucous unpredictable existence wrapped around an acoustic guitar being plucked and pounded on.  

If you could describe it with a colour, a sound, a scent, a texture, and a feeling, which would you choose?

Chartreuse mixed with the feeling of a sideways grin after the rain stops and the scent of petrichor in the air.

As your 14^th studio collection, how do you think it compares and contrasts with your earlier work?

It fits right in. It’s a new member of the family with its own opinions yet the same DNA.

What else has changed – in your music and the industry at large – over the nearly-30 years since your 1998 debut album, One Left Shoe? 

Everything’s changed and nothing’s changed. I’m still road-dogging it and selling t-shirts and records and hopefully making folks smile.

Anything you’d like to say to your Wellington fans?

It’s been way too long since I’ve seen your fine city. I can’t wait to return.