Dave Gunning records raw new album under Australian gumtree

Maritime artist Dave Gunning continues to surprise his fans.

After more than two decades of songwriting and 14 albums, Nova Scotia singer-songwriter Dave Gunning is still finding new ways to tell stories.

The Pictou County artist’s latest project, “Field Notes,” was recorded in Australia in a way he’d never tried before.

“We recorded it on one microphone to an old tape machine,” Gunning said in an interview with CTV Atlantic’s Katie Kelly. “So, there’s no AI involved in the making of this record. It’s pretty raw.”

Producer Mark Lang helped shape the album’s sound, using vintage instruments and recording outdoors beneath a gumtree.

“He put two mics in the tree above me to pick up the wind and the birds, it’s just pretty crazy,” said Gunning.

The album captures songs Gunning has been writing and co-writing over the past several years.

“I guess just going through some personal stuff a couple of years ago… so some of those things, thoughts are on the record,” said Gunning.

The record also features “Vincent Coleman” - a song Gunning co-wrote with the late Bruce Guthro.

“About a man who saved a trainload of passengers that were just about to come into the city. He stayed and worked dispatch and got a notification knowing he might not make it. Bruce used to sing it live at the song circles quite a bit, but it was never recorded,” said Gunning.

Fans across the Maritimes will soon hear the new songs live, as Gunning stops for 18 local dates through February and March.

“Field Notes” arrives Feb. 20.