Dave McCann

Over nearly two decades, Dave McCann has firmly established himself in the hearts and minds of the Alberta music scene as one of the best untold singer-songwriters working in contemporary roots music. His dedication to storytelling and song-craft continues to define his remarkable journey. His latest release, “Soothsayer’s Blues” was Recorded at the Zebra Ranch in Coldwater Mississippi. It’s the homestead studio of the late great Muscle Shoals session legend and Producer Jim Dickinson (Bob Dylan, Ry Cooder, Aretha Franklin, The Replacements).

Soothsayer’s Blues marks Dave’s seventh release and a collaboration with Oxford, Mississippi producer Jimbo Mathus. Jimbo‘s been a sonic ringmaster and collaborator with an impressive list of artists. (Elvis Costello, Bette Smith, Ironing Board Sam, Andrew Bird, Valerie June and Dom Flemons). His understanding of the Hill Country Blues of North Mississippi caught the attention of none other than Buddy Guy’s producer, landing him a key role touring and on the acclaimed “Sweet Tea” Sessions. He is best known for his work with his swing revival outfit The Squirrel Nut Zippers.

Soothsayer’s Blues is a communion with history, a connection with place, and an exploration of the mythology of the American South. Those first Blues artists are foundational to the origin of North American Roots Music. Those artists offered more than just songs. They showed us a path. They showed us how to find joy in defiance of those who choose to darken our world. Expression in Resistance. “Mississippi holds some real strong magic when it comes to that kinda song-lore. I went there chasing those ghosts. What I found was a spark. That’s the folk process…You don’t just play the songs, you carry them forward.”

The project is a stark, soulful meditation on the folk process. The songs are grounded in a timeless magic, steeped in the shadows of the human spirit and wrapped in echoes of the Blues, Country and Rock ‘n’ Roll. A humble reminder of the power of songs and their enduring ability to reflect, reveal, and heal.

While the industry chases financial probability, Dave McCann remains a striking outlier. In a world wired for certainty, he’s still betting on the beautiful chaos of the creative process.

Because for him, it’s always been simple: Songs Matter.