Saskatoon-born Zachary Lucky has been in the local music scene for quite a while, and with his newest concert tour, he will be making a stop in his hometown.

Zachary Lucky’s solo career has been underway since 2010, which began after his departure from the band We Were Lovers. Lucky is now a solo folk artist and just released his fourth album since starting off his solo career. This album, Everywhere a Man Can Be, is the first album he has released since the 2013 release of The Ballad of Losing You.

Everywhere a Man Can Be is a collection of largely autobiographical story songs. Featuring a track list of nine songs, the titular song “Everywhere a Man Can Be” is a recounting of life on the road. In this track, Lucky’s deep voice is accompanied by a slow progression of chords as he details his travels across Canada.

Fans of Zachary Lucky can expect something new at his upcoming show in Saskatoon.

Preceding that track is “Sell All You Have,” a somber track in which the lyrics outline the hard decisions that can be found in life, such as selling all you have to get by or to pay your bills. Another interesting track from the album is “South Colorado Murder Ballad,” which tells a tale of love and loss that ends in a bar fight scene, which is brought to life so well by Lucky.

Each of the tracks on the album utilizes Lucky’s deep vocals to bring an oddly comforting, somber air to the songs. Listening through the album feels like a trip through different pieces of a life full of travel and experience.

Each time a song uses a familiar Canadian setting, Lucky brings it to life with details that serve to create his own unique depth of story telling. Overall, Lucky uses Everywhere a Man Can Be as a platform to tell country tales from his own life and those he has met.

“To me, this record is a bit of a bookend to the past six or seven years touring around Canada, the U.S. and Europe. Touring [is] really hard and [I’ve been] working really hard playing 160 – 200 shows a year. In the past three years that’s sort of changed, it’s slowed down a lot. I had a kid and got moved around a little bit and started to put down some roots,” Lucky said.

Lucky went on to say that the album also serves as a nostalgic reflection of where life has brought him. This especially comes out in the song “Come and Gone,” in which Lucky directly addresses the topic of reflection on his time on tour. While this album looks at past events, it also brings with it something new for both Lucky and for his fans to look forward to.

“This is the first time that I’ve actually got a full band behind me on the road. We’re a five piece band playing these songs,” Lucky said.

According to Lucky, more instruments generally make for more sound.

“It’s gonna be a little bit different than a normal Zachary Lucky show that people have been to in Saskatoon before. Little bit louder, a little bit more rocky and I think it’s going to be a good time,” he said.

Those looking to get their own copy of the album can order a physical or digital copy through Lucky’s bandcamp page. The album is also available on Spotify, iTunes and at his shows.

Lucky will be playing at Village Guitar & Amp Co. in Saskatoon on Oct. 16. Tickets are $16.50 in advance and $20 at the door.

—

Jack Thompson / Staff Writer

Photo: Jason Schneider / Supplied