Video Interview: Barenaked Ladies’ Ed Robertson is “In Flight”

They have sold 15 million albums but they are still self-made musical outsiders.

It may surprise some people that the Barenaked Ladies are celebrating their 35th anniversary and releasing their 18th album, ‘In Flight’. During this time they have become icons of Canadian music with numerous Juno awards, plus a couple of Grammy nominations, and sold 15 million albums while maintaining their own attitude to the music. The band will be touring the UK in April, and this will be the first time that they have started a tour for a new album in the UK, and Americana UK’s Martin Johnson caught up with Ed Robertson over Zoom to discuss the band’s relationship with the UK, and the new album, ‘In Flight’. Ed shares that he was overflowing with song ideas this time around, and that part of his songwriting regime is to visit his friend Kevin Griffith of Better Than Ezra in Franklin, Tennessee. However, Ed explains that each band member and the producer have a vote on which songs make the cut and that it can be hard if one of your favourite songs doesn’t get the five votes needed. Finally, he explains how they raised money for the ABC Life Literacy  Canada charity through their Ben & Jerry ice cream and a custard sponsorship in upstate New York.

The Barenaked Ladies ‘In Flight’ is out now on Raisin’ Records.

Barenaked Ladies “In Flight UK Tour 2024”

Thursday 4 April        Bristol, Beacon
Friday 5 April             London, Eventim Apollo
Saturday 6 April        Wolverhampton, The Halls
Monday 8 April          Brighton, Brighton Dome Corn Exchange
Tuesday 9 April         Cambridge, Corn Exchange
Thursday 11 April      Manchester, Albert Hall
Friday 12 April           Glasgow, Glasgow Royal Concert Hall
Sunday 14 April         York, York Barbican
Monday 15 April        Edinburgh, Assembly Rooms

 

About Martin Johnson 438 Articles
I've been a music obsessive for more years than I care to admit to. Part of my enjoyment from music comes from discovering new sounds and artists while continuing to explore the roots of American 20th century music that has impacted the whole of world culture.
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