The Sit Down with Delta Sweet
Multi-platinum, JUNO-Award winning singer songwriter Delta Sweet (aka Patrick Kordyback) released his country solo debut single, “Outta Money, Outta Mind” on Friday and we caught up with him on release day to find out more about the release. Though best known for fronting the genre-blending band Stereos, Delta Sweet's musical roots run deep in the sounds of classic country, a love he’s now fully embracing as a solo artist. Delta Sweet’s official entry into the country music landscape should not come as a surprise to his devoted fans. As Stereos gained momentum, he often infused his country influences into their music. Written by Delta Sweet and produced by country star Dan Davidson, “Outta Money, Outta Mind” is a catchy hook-driven toe-tapper, that evokes the lighthearted charm of ‘90s heartbreak classics, combined with the heavy-hitting production of modern country. Delta Sweet’s willingness to paint outside the lines and explore new themes, sounds, and collaborations sets him apart as a name to watch out for in country music.
It must be a very busy day for you.
You know what? I always got time for stuff like this, especially the UK. I'm a big fan.
Is it a relief now that Outta Money, Outta Mind is out?
You nailed it. It's relief. You know, obviously all positive feelings, but something I've never shaken in my career. I've had a lot of ups and downs and there's that anxiety two days out, but it's a healthy anxiety. I get it before I hit the stage too, but it's an exhale today. You know, it's just kind of it's out there, and I have to stop thinking about it. I can just kind of enjoy the fact that the music's out.
Have you been tracking the release or anything this morning? Or you just let it be and ignoring it?
Yeah, so both. I could lie to you and say that I just let it go and I don't check the numbers, but I've been checking it a little bit and keeping an eye out for any playlist adds. I was lucky enough to get an editorial, which is huge. I'm feeling very blessed today. But yeah, I've been checking in and out. I do have a busy rest of my day, so I'm going to kind of let it go this afternoon and tonight.
You've got a single release party in Edmonton tonight?
I do. Yeah, which is so fun. There's a brand-new country bar here in Edmonton where I live. They're really trying to get into the community of country music here in the city, which is thriving, and I think that, that's a very, very good look. I think that any country music community in any city in the world could really take notes - just really get involved in a local community because people will never forget you when you get in on the ground floor when they need you more than you need them. I kind of feel that way today. Like they, you know, they have a lot going on, they're the hot new bar in town, but to give me a little bit of a platform tonight is huge.
It must be a very busy day for you.
You know what? I always got time for stuff like this, especially the UK. I'm a big fan.
Is it a relief now that Outta Money, Outta Mind is out?
You nailed it. It's relief. You know, obviously all positive feelings, but something I've never shaken in my career. I've had a lot of ups and downs and there's that anxiety two days out, but it's a healthy anxiety. I get it before I hit the stage too, but it's an exhale today. You know, it's just kind of it's out there, and I have to stop thinking about it. I can just kind of enjoy the fact that the music's out.
Have you been tracking the release or anything this morning? Or you just let it be and ignoring it?
Yeah, so both. I could lie to you and say that I just let it go and I don't check the numbers, but I've been checking it a little bit and keeping an eye out for any playlist adds. I was lucky enough to get an editorial, which is huge. I'm feeling very blessed today. But yeah, I've been checking in and out. I do have a busy rest of my day, so I'm going to kind of let it go this afternoon and tonight.
You've got a single release party in Edmonton tonight?
I do. Yeah, which is so fun. There's a brand-new country bar here in Edmonton where I live. They're really trying to get into the community of country music here in the city, which is thriving, and I think that, that's a very, very good look. I think that any country music community in any city in the world could really take notes - just really get involved in a local community because people will never forget you when you get in on the ground floor when they need you more than you need them. I kind of feel that way today. Like they, you know, they have a lot going on, they're the hot new bar in town, but to give me a little bit of a platform tonight is huge.
There's obviously quite a good little community of artists in Edmonton as well where the CCMAs were recently hosted too. Is that adding to that boost for you right now?
A hundred percent. Country music is having a moment, you know, to use an industry term that kind of gets thrown out around a lot. There's no doubt about that. Edmonton has always had such a thriving music scene, art scene in general. It is very blue collar. It's north. It's cold! When I first got into music, it was the punk rock scene here in Edmonton and that's where I first found music and a community of people when there's nothing to do when your city sucks. So, you go and you find there's great art, there's great food and there's great music. That doesn't always exist on the same ground level, I feel, in cities with more to do, for lack of a better term. Edmonton has always been just a killer when it comes to a music scene.
Don’t forget the West Edmonton Mall!!! We were on holiday in Calgary and my daughter made me drive north to Edmonton because she wanted to go to the mall!
Hey, fair enough. You know what? I've lived in Calgary too. I was raised a big-time sports fan, so I was raised to hate Calgary. But then I lived there, and it's the most beautiful city, you know, maybe in the world to me because it's still Alberta, but it's got the mountains and everything like that. I always say it's a prettier girl with the worst personality. Although that's just based on sports rivalries!
Well, I am a Flames fan and we managed to get a few games in that trip.
You know what? That's fair. I don't even hate the Calgary Flames because I lived there. I don't want them to win, don’t get me wrong, but I don't have the hatred for it because of how much I do love that city.
Do you get to many of the Oilers games?
Every single game. Yeah, it's my day job! I actually work in the arena there! I'm a diehard Oiler fan and I'm there for all 41 home games. I work in the suites level as a server. I make the joke all the time, especially going country, that I'm literally a blue collar worker because my uniform has a blue collared shirt! I'm so busy though during a game that I never really get to watch. I only rewatch highlights when we win because I'm not trying to see the ins and outs of the loss. I love it when they go on the road because I actually get to watch the games on TV and get more of a feel for it. Going to game seven, the Stanley Cup final, was one of the most electric atmospheres you will ever be a part of. I will never forget it, even though they didn't cross the finish line. I'll never forget the atmosphere. It's second to none, 100 percent.
Is there hope that one day you'll be performing the intermission there or opening with the national anthem? Is that on the bucket list?
I've done it in my previous band, Stereos. We actually did the anthem, and I wish I took it more seriously! We were kids. We were experiencing a ton of success at the time and I'm not going to lie we went out the night before and got on it. I didn't really have a voice! I was like, guys, I don't really have it tonight, so what I did was, I brought the whole group out, not only the whole band, but our road crew. There was nine of us singing into one mic! It probably sounded terrible! I've knocked that off the bucket list, but I wish I was able to do a better job. So maybe that's on my bucket list, actually sing it properly!
Well, I guess you didn't butcher it enough for it to be like a viral, terrible anthem at least. Think of it that way.
Yeah, exactly that. I think maybe it was like just at the start of social media around 2009 and 10. So, if it happened today, it might have gone a little bit more viral for all the wrong reasons. It was better than Fergie's anthem, though. I'll say that all day!
How have the Stereos guys been in supporting you in this new project?
You know what, they're saying all the right things. I mean that with the most heartfelt respect for the boys, as I think that they're in my corner and that has gone a long way. I would be lying if I said that if Stereos were still a full-time machine, I don't know if I would have had time to focus on this. So, this is sort of born out of the fact that I do need more than being in a legacy throwback band, which plays a few shows a year. Don't get me wrong, that's the best life, dude. The festivals treat you well, they pay you well and all that fun stuff, but I do need more. They do have my back. I got a lot of great messages this morning from most of them.
What was it like being part of Stereos as they made the climb in Canada?
I go back to when I started out, it was punk rock. When we envisioned what would be best case scenario, I didn't know any better than saying best case scenarios. You get in the van with your friends, you sleep in Walmart parking lots, and we did all that. I was living the dream. The fact that we got onto buses and arenas and we couldn't go to shopping malls without getting kicked out! Security would be like, we can't handle what's happening here. You guys need to leave. That was all so much bigger than I had ever envisioned. I've been extremely blessed man. I'm one of the lucky ones. It only lasted a couple of years and the industry is tough. It's very, very, very hard, and that never changes. I will be able to die knowing that I eclipsed a lot of the dreams I had when I originally started doing this.
How has that fan base followed you with this country music change? Are they still there or are they like, dude, what are you doing?
No, man, it is. I don't know why I'm this lucky. Stereos broke up for eight years and the only reason we're back is because we did these 10 year anniversary shows and they sold out in multiple cities. I do get emotional thinking about it because there's these people who were kids and they didn't have friends. But then they finally met friends at Stereo shows and then they come with their kids now, like 15 years later, and they're still best friends! That's a long way of saying that they're 100 percent behind me! I'll say like ninety nine percent of comments are positive and the one percent that are negative, as long as they're funny. I actually don't even mind those. They kind of keep me laughing to be honest. Sometimes we all have some really good chirps and I don't mind that. I think it's because I grew up playing hockey. So a good insult actually kind of gets me going. I like it.
And sometimes you can turn a good insult into a song lyric as well. So that's always a perk.
100 percent, man. I'm too old to worry about that. You know, if I'm not people's cup of tea, if they're funny about it, that's cool. I don't mind.
A hundred percent. Country music is having a moment, you know, to use an industry term that kind of gets thrown out around a lot. There's no doubt about that. Edmonton has always had such a thriving music scene, art scene in general. It is very blue collar. It's north. It's cold! When I first got into music, it was the punk rock scene here in Edmonton and that's where I first found music and a community of people when there's nothing to do when your city sucks. So, you go and you find there's great art, there's great food and there's great music. That doesn't always exist on the same ground level, I feel, in cities with more to do, for lack of a better term. Edmonton has always been just a killer when it comes to a music scene.
Don’t forget the West Edmonton Mall!!! We were on holiday in Calgary and my daughter made me drive north to Edmonton because she wanted to go to the mall!
Hey, fair enough. You know what? I've lived in Calgary too. I was raised a big-time sports fan, so I was raised to hate Calgary. But then I lived there, and it's the most beautiful city, you know, maybe in the world to me because it's still Alberta, but it's got the mountains and everything like that. I always say it's a prettier girl with the worst personality. Although that's just based on sports rivalries!
Well, I am a Flames fan and we managed to get a few games in that trip.
You know what? That's fair. I don't even hate the Calgary Flames because I lived there. I don't want them to win, don’t get me wrong, but I don't have the hatred for it because of how much I do love that city.
Do you get to many of the Oilers games?
Every single game. Yeah, it's my day job! I actually work in the arena there! I'm a diehard Oiler fan and I'm there for all 41 home games. I work in the suites level as a server. I make the joke all the time, especially going country, that I'm literally a blue collar worker because my uniform has a blue collared shirt! I'm so busy though during a game that I never really get to watch. I only rewatch highlights when we win because I'm not trying to see the ins and outs of the loss. I love it when they go on the road because I actually get to watch the games on TV and get more of a feel for it. Going to game seven, the Stanley Cup final, was one of the most electric atmospheres you will ever be a part of. I will never forget it, even though they didn't cross the finish line. I'll never forget the atmosphere. It's second to none, 100 percent.
Is there hope that one day you'll be performing the intermission there or opening with the national anthem? Is that on the bucket list?
I've done it in my previous band, Stereos. We actually did the anthem, and I wish I took it more seriously! We were kids. We were experiencing a ton of success at the time and I'm not going to lie we went out the night before and got on it. I didn't really have a voice! I was like, guys, I don't really have it tonight, so what I did was, I brought the whole group out, not only the whole band, but our road crew. There was nine of us singing into one mic! It probably sounded terrible! I've knocked that off the bucket list, but I wish I was able to do a better job. So maybe that's on my bucket list, actually sing it properly!
Well, I guess you didn't butcher it enough for it to be like a viral, terrible anthem at least. Think of it that way.
Yeah, exactly that. I think maybe it was like just at the start of social media around 2009 and 10. So, if it happened today, it might have gone a little bit more viral for all the wrong reasons. It was better than Fergie's anthem, though. I'll say that all day!
How have the Stereos guys been in supporting you in this new project?
You know what, they're saying all the right things. I mean that with the most heartfelt respect for the boys, as I think that they're in my corner and that has gone a long way. I would be lying if I said that if Stereos were still a full-time machine, I don't know if I would have had time to focus on this. So, this is sort of born out of the fact that I do need more than being in a legacy throwback band, which plays a few shows a year. Don't get me wrong, that's the best life, dude. The festivals treat you well, they pay you well and all that fun stuff, but I do need more. They do have my back. I got a lot of great messages this morning from most of them.
What was it like being part of Stereos as they made the climb in Canada?
I go back to when I started out, it was punk rock. When we envisioned what would be best case scenario, I didn't know any better than saying best case scenarios. You get in the van with your friends, you sleep in Walmart parking lots, and we did all that. I was living the dream. The fact that we got onto buses and arenas and we couldn't go to shopping malls without getting kicked out! Security would be like, we can't handle what's happening here. You guys need to leave. That was all so much bigger than I had ever envisioned. I've been extremely blessed man. I'm one of the lucky ones. It only lasted a couple of years and the industry is tough. It's very, very, very hard, and that never changes. I will be able to die knowing that I eclipsed a lot of the dreams I had when I originally started doing this.
How has that fan base followed you with this country music change? Are they still there or are they like, dude, what are you doing?
No, man, it is. I don't know why I'm this lucky. Stereos broke up for eight years and the only reason we're back is because we did these 10 year anniversary shows and they sold out in multiple cities. I do get emotional thinking about it because there's these people who were kids and they didn't have friends. But then they finally met friends at Stereo shows and then they come with their kids now, like 15 years later, and they're still best friends! That's a long way of saying that they're 100 percent behind me! I'll say like ninety nine percent of comments are positive and the one percent that are negative, as long as they're funny. I actually don't even mind those. They kind of keep me laughing to be honest. Sometimes we all have some really good chirps and I don't mind that. I think it's because I grew up playing hockey. So a good insult actually kind of gets me going. I like it.
And sometimes you can turn a good insult into a song lyric as well. So that's always a perk.
100 percent, man. I'm too old to worry about that. You know, if I'm not people's cup of tea, if they're funny about it, that's cool. I don't mind.
This change has also brought around the stage name Delta Sweet. How did the decision to make that kind of move go?
I was going to go with Pat Charles, first name, middle name, which is way more country than my name, Patrick Kordyback. But it was actually born out of exactly that. It was a social media post by a venue here in Alberta that was promoting all their upcoming shows, and I noticed that every artist was first name, last name, first name, last name, first name, last name, which is great. So many of them are doing well, but it kind of hit me in that moment that one thing I've always done in music is when people zig, I zag a little bit. So, I thought the stage name thing is something that I'd been cooking up for a while, and it actually comes from an artist from the 60s. Her name was Bobbie Gentry. She was one of the first women to not only write, but produce her own music, and she had an album called The Delta Sweete with an E at the end. It means Southern Bell, I want to say. I just love the word combination. I looked into her history, and I realised that the way I spell it and with my moniker, it just wasn't taken. I was kind of like, if that's not taken, it's too cool to pass up! I might have a hurdle of people being like, what is this? Is this your name? Is it an alter ego? I just think it fits the project perfectly. And it's badass!
Outta Money, Outta Mind is your first official solo release, but you did do a duet a couple of months ago with Ashton Adams. Was that a test in the water’s kind of release? Or was it always the idea to do a duet and then the solo stuff was coming?
No, it was never like the plan, so to speak. In fact, I was advised against it by some people, because if you want to be country you have to respect the industry. Obviously, there's nobody that has more respect for this genre than I do. I watched the Ken Burns nine hours of documentary on country music. I do respect it. I wanted to know the history.
I'm a lead singer with an ego, and when people want to get involved and they pump up my tires and say, this is a project I believe in, I believe in them back. Ashton was one of the first people. He's like, let's do this. I don't know how it's going to look or how people are going to receive it. I won't lie to you, the reason why I did that song first was the first one that was ready to go because he's a producer as well as a DJ. I felt like, let's just get this out there so I can start from somewhere to build a runway for what I'm about to do next. I personally feel like it was the right call because it bought me some time and it also got me out there. I’m very thankful for Ashton to help me out there
I was going to go with Pat Charles, first name, middle name, which is way more country than my name, Patrick Kordyback. But it was actually born out of exactly that. It was a social media post by a venue here in Alberta that was promoting all their upcoming shows, and I noticed that every artist was first name, last name, first name, last name, first name, last name, which is great. So many of them are doing well, but it kind of hit me in that moment that one thing I've always done in music is when people zig, I zag a little bit. So, I thought the stage name thing is something that I'd been cooking up for a while, and it actually comes from an artist from the 60s. Her name was Bobbie Gentry. She was one of the first women to not only write, but produce her own music, and she had an album called The Delta Sweete with an E at the end. It means Southern Bell, I want to say. I just love the word combination. I looked into her history, and I realised that the way I spell it and with my moniker, it just wasn't taken. I was kind of like, if that's not taken, it's too cool to pass up! I might have a hurdle of people being like, what is this? Is this your name? Is it an alter ego? I just think it fits the project perfectly. And it's badass!
Outta Money, Outta Mind is your first official solo release, but you did do a duet a couple of months ago with Ashton Adams. Was that a test in the water’s kind of release? Or was it always the idea to do a duet and then the solo stuff was coming?
No, it was never like the plan, so to speak. In fact, I was advised against it by some people, because if you want to be country you have to respect the industry. Obviously, there's nobody that has more respect for this genre than I do. I watched the Ken Burns nine hours of documentary on country music. I do respect it. I wanted to know the history.
I'm a lead singer with an ego, and when people want to get involved and they pump up my tires and say, this is a project I believe in, I believe in them back. Ashton was one of the first people. He's like, let's do this. I don't know how it's going to look or how people are going to receive it. I won't lie to you, the reason why I did that song first was the first one that was ready to go because he's a producer as well as a DJ. I felt like, let's just get this out there so I can start from somewhere to build a runway for what I'm about to do next. I personally feel like it was the right call because it bought me some time and it also got me out there. I’m very thankful for Ashton to help me out there
For a first release, it also got you on a couple of big Spotify playlists as well. That must have been an absolutely huge boost for you.
The irony was that when people advised me against it, it was that traditional country mediums might not be so warm and welcoming to someone who's coming into the genre by painting outside the lines like this. Our playlist love came from American editorials that were country, strictly country. To me, it was a great lesson that I always value other opinions, I listen to everyone. At the end of the day, you have to go with your gut. I do get asked from other artists for advice, and that's the one thing I would say is listen to everyone. Then, when you make your decision, listen to yourself. You'd be surprised at how little you need to overthink stuff like that.
Moving to this project, you had Dan Davidson produce it. Was it helpful to have someone who has made a similar transition to country music support you with the release?
Yes. Dan Davidson is my big brother and I'm very much his little brother. I ask him so many questions. I've needed his guidance immeasurably, and he has shown me the ropes in more ways than one. He's someone I looked up to. I'm going to take you back to those hall show days - he was playing in bands that I would go. He was the example of bands that could make it out of Edmonton and hit the road. Dan was always one of those guys who was in the music scene that way. I feel like he's been nothing but supportive. I bet you he feels like, oh, my God, this little guy again, but he didn't have to get involved. He didn't have to produce, didn’t have to push it and put his name on it. But he did, and I will never forget that.
He also makes a sneaky cameo in the video, I noticed.
Yeah, dude. The video is done by Travis Nesbitt, who was another guy who was in a band that was one of the first bands from Edmonton to get an American deal. He's won CCMAs for his video work, and I always make this joke, but Travis kind of hates country music videos, but that makes him so good at them, in my opinion. He makes sure that if he's going to get involved, we're not just going to be doing the cliche stuff. It's going to be weird and there's going to be twists. I love the video. I loved the whole process. My buddy, Dan, is the driver in that video, and that's his old truck. He's like my country music. I would say he was my mentor because he grew up on a farm. Going solo is anything but, because you need so much support. Dan, even being in the video, I love that, too.
The irony was that when people advised me against it, it was that traditional country mediums might not be so warm and welcoming to someone who's coming into the genre by painting outside the lines like this. Our playlist love came from American editorials that were country, strictly country. To me, it was a great lesson that I always value other opinions, I listen to everyone. At the end of the day, you have to go with your gut. I do get asked from other artists for advice, and that's the one thing I would say is listen to everyone. Then, when you make your decision, listen to yourself. You'd be surprised at how little you need to overthink stuff like that.
Moving to this project, you had Dan Davidson produce it. Was it helpful to have someone who has made a similar transition to country music support you with the release?
Yes. Dan Davidson is my big brother and I'm very much his little brother. I ask him so many questions. I've needed his guidance immeasurably, and he has shown me the ropes in more ways than one. He's someone I looked up to. I'm going to take you back to those hall show days - he was playing in bands that I would go. He was the example of bands that could make it out of Edmonton and hit the road. Dan was always one of those guys who was in the music scene that way. I feel like he's been nothing but supportive. I bet you he feels like, oh, my God, this little guy again, but he didn't have to get involved. He didn't have to produce, didn’t have to push it and put his name on it. But he did, and I will never forget that.
He also makes a sneaky cameo in the video, I noticed.
Yeah, dude. The video is done by Travis Nesbitt, who was another guy who was in a band that was one of the first bands from Edmonton to get an American deal. He's won CCMAs for his video work, and I always make this joke, but Travis kind of hates country music videos, but that makes him so good at them, in my opinion. He makes sure that if he's going to get involved, we're not just going to be doing the cliche stuff. It's going to be weird and there's going to be twists. I love the video. I loved the whole process. My buddy, Dan, is the driver in that video, and that's his old truck. He's like my country music. I would say he was my mentor because he grew up on a farm. Going solo is anything but, because you need so much support. Dan, even being in the video, I love that, too.
You brought in a few familiar names in the Canadian scene as the session players on the track too. Guys like Mitch and Tyler have done so much for the country music scene there, how important was it working with these guys?
Yeah, if you are a fan of music and musicianship, these players are unlike anything I have ever experienced. Now, I'm by no means a superstar, but I've worked with a ton of musicians and I've never seen anything like the playing these guys bring to the table. Brendan Waters, even the drummer, Ben Bradley, like everyone who played on this. They are the top of their profession. I'd never seen Nashville music charts before, but
it is its own shorthand writing, and when I found out what these guys charge per song, I was pleasantly surprised because I said, OK, like I know these guys are great. Yeah, this works. Then I found out why they get paid what they get paid per song because they listen to it one time, play through it twice and they're done. They are so, so talented. To answer your question, it is non-negotiable. That is not a corner you want to cut. For anyone who wants to get into the genre, get real players on your songs because it makes all the difference in musicianship and country music is second to none. I will hire them all day long, as long as they're willing to hop on the track. I've been working with a producer out in Ontario as well, Sean Moore, and he brought me to the table with some Ontario session guys as well. These guys are no joke all day. I will never not get real musicians on my country songs. I'll say that unequivocally.
Now the project has started, where are you looking to go next with it?
Well, I made this joke earlier, but my mum thinks I should be headlining overall like George Strait at every music festival in Canada this summer. She's unwavering in her belief that I should be headlining every festival. I don't think I'm there yet. I think I'm probably a few summers away! I'm sitting on five or six songs now, and it's going to be consistent releases, working my way from support slots to hopefully hitting some big stages in two or three summers from now. For now, it's all about getting the live show together. It's still my favourite part of music - the performance side - but you've got to release music to get there as well. So, just more writing, more releases and, you know, hitting the stage, hopefully seeing the world.
I'm like a genuine huge fan of the UK. When I was 19, my first summer off from college, I went and worked in Bristol for four months. I just worked in a Starbucks and I loved it. I didn't want to come home, so, I would love to see the world by playing music. That's always been the goal.
I guess your mum must be number one fan?
One hundred percent, followed closely by my dad! She is always like I heard that you did an interview and I didn't see it. She got Instagram just because I told her. I was like, mum, I post everything on Instagram. If you want to know what I'm doing, I post too much on Instagram. She got herself a little burner account to follow everything I'm doing.
Have you been able to play anything live yet or is that still a work in progress for you?
So yes and no. When we released the first song, Pour a Little My Way, we actually debuted it that day on a breakfast television live performance, which was super fun, but not the way I would like to. I'm going to get a full band together here locally of guys I can play with. I think that one thing that I really would like to have is a band with chemistry. You know, as well as good players, there's kind of that fine line. I'm working towards that. I do have some shows, but I'm so new to the project I don't want to be the one to let the cat out of the bag and have people get mad at me! I won't say anything yet, but there are some shows coming up. I'm first on the bill, which I don't think that would be a bad move on my part. But yes, we are working towards shows as early as the spring, I think, is when I'll start playing live.
Then it can roll into some European show as now we’re on your radar! We’ve had so many great Canadian artists visit in recent years and the UK crowd just seems to keep wanting more!
Listen, man, I will. If it's something that any U.K. promoter wants, I'll tell you right now - yes, I'm there, I will do it. I love going to the U.K. One of the best Stereo shows we played was actually a Canada Day show, but in Trafalgar Square. We played the Trafalgar Square thing which was great, traditional. Then we had to play an acoustic show at the embassy for like a very buttoned up like crowd. We were like, you know, long black hair tattooed, wearing basketball jerseys. It was a weird fit, man. I'll tell you what, it was an experience I'll never forget. It was so much fun. I would love to make it happen again. I want to bring my dad. He's a massive Spurs fan. The last time I was there was 2017 to go to a Spurs game. We love London! It was one of the most amazing things. I've gone to North American sports, college football, hockey, baseball, football. I've been to everything. This was like another world of fandom that I have never experienced. Now, unfortunately, it was right one of the middle years where they no longer had White Hart Lane, so it was at Wembley, which was cool. I know my dad wanted to see like White Hart Lane or the new stadium, but it was an atmosphere unlike anything I have ever experienced. I would go to any game. I would go to the championship level. I don't have to even go to Premiership. I love it. I’ll be at any game right down to the small towns. When I was working in Bristol, they were playing Cardiff for a chance at promotion and I think they were like neck and neck. It was a big deal around town, and I didn't go, unfortunately. My dad, he was literally like, I will send you money to go to this. I don't know why, I was a dumb kid I guess, but I didn't go - I should have.
Well, next time you come over, I will definitely drag you along to a football game. Do not worry. We'll find somewhere.
I'm going to take you up on that 100%. I appreciate that.
It's been great to chat, and I know you've got lots going on with the rest of the day. Thanks so much for the time on release day and hopefully it will be the start of big things for you.
I really appreciate you taking the time to have me on. Don't be a stranger.
Stay tuned for more new music from Delta Sweet coming in 2025. For all the latest news and tour updates, visit deltasweetmusic.com.
OFFICIAL SITE | INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | FACEBOOK | TWITTER/X |
Yeah, if you are a fan of music and musicianship, these players are unlike anything I have ever experienced. Now, I'm by no means a superstar, but I've worked with a ton of musicians and I've never seen anything like the playing these guys bring to the table. Brendan Waters, even the drummer, Ben Bradley, like everyone who played on this. They are the top of their profession. I'd never seen Nashville music charts before, but
it is its own shorthand writing, and when I found out what these guys charge per song, I was pleasantly surprised because I said, OK, like I know these guys are great. Yeah, this works. Then I found out why they get paid what they get paid per song because they listen to it one time, play through it twice and they're done. They are so, so talented. To answer your question, it is non-negotiable. That is not a corner you want to cut. For anyone who wants to get into the genre, get real players on your songs because it makes all the difference in musicianship and country music is second to none. I will hire them all day long, as long as they're willing to hop on the track. I've been working with a producer out in Ontario as well, Sean Moore, and he brought me to the table with some Ontario session guys as well. These guys are no joke all day. I will never not get real musicians on my country songs. I'll say that unequivocally.
Now the project has started, where are you looking to go next with it?
Well, I made this joke earlier, but my mum thinks I should be headlining overall like George Strait at every music festival in Canada this summer. She's unwavering in her belief that I should be headlining every festival. I don't think I'm there yet. I think I'm probably a few summers away! I'm sitting on five or six songs now, and it's going to be consistent releases, working my way from support slots to hopefully hitting some big stages in two or three summers from now. For now, it's all about getting the live show together. It's still my favourite part of music - the performance side - but you've got to release music to get there as well. So, just more writing, more releases and, you know, hitting the stage, hopefully seeing the world.
I'm like a genuine huge fan of the UK. When I was 19, my first summer off from college, I went and worked in Bristol for four months. I just worked in a Starbucks and I loved it. I didn't want to come home, so, I would love to see the world by playing music. That's always been the goal.
I guess your mum must be number one fan?
One hundred percent, followed closely by my dad! She is always like I heard that you did an interview and I didn't see it. She got Instagram just because I told her. I was like, mum, I post everything on Instagram. If you want to know what I'm doing, I post too much on Instagram. She got herself a little burner account to follow everything I'm doing.
Have you been able to play anything live yet or is that still a work in progress for you?
So yes and no. When we released the first song, Pour a Little My Way, we actually debuted it that day on a breakfast television live performance, which was super fun, but not the way I would like to. I'm going to get a full band together here locally of guys I can play with. I think that one thing that I really would like to have is a band with chemistry. You know, as well as good players, there's kind of that fine line. I'm working towards that. I do have some shows, but I'm so new to the project I don't want to be the one to let the cat out of the bag and have people get mad at me! I won't say anything yet, but there are some shows coming up. I'm first on the bill, which I don't think that would be a bad move on my part. But yes, we are working towards shows as early as the spring, I think, is when I'll start playing live.
Then it can roll into some European show as now we’re on your radar! We’ve had so many great Canadian artists visit in recent years and the UK crowd just seems to keep wanting more!
Listen, man, I will. If it's something that any U.K. promoter wants, I'll tell you right now - yes, I'm there, I will do it. I love going to the U.K. One of the best Stereo shows we played was actually a Canada Day show, but in Trafalgar Square. We played the Trafalgar Square thing which was great, traditional. Then we had to play an acoustic show at the embassy for like a very buttoned up like crowd. We were like, you know, long black hair tattooed, wearing basketball jerseys. It was a weird fit, man. I'll tell you what, it was an experience I'll never forget. It was so much fun. I would love to make it happen again. I want to bring my dad. He's a massive Spurs fan. The last time I was there was 2017 to go to a Spurs game. We love London! It was one of the most amazing things. I've gone to North American sports, college football, hockey, baseball, football. I've been to everything. This was like another world of fandom that I have never experienced. Now, unfortunately, it was right one of the middle years where they no longer had White Hart Lane, so it was at Wembley, which was cool. I know my dad wanted to see like White Hart Lane or the new stadium, but it was an atmosphere unlike anything I have ever experienced. I would go to any game. I would go to the championship level. I don't have to even go to Premiership. I love it. I’ll be at any game right down to the small towns. When I was working in Bristol, they were playing Cardiff for a chance at promotion and I think they were like neck and neck. It was a big deal around town, and I didn't go, unfortunately. My dad, he was literally like, I will send you money to go to this. I don't know why, I was a dumb kid I guess, but I didn't go - I should have.
Well, next time you come over, I will definitely drag you along to a football game. Do not worry. We'll find somewhere.
I'm going to take you up on that 100%. I appreciate that.
It's been great to chat, and I know you've got lots going on with the rest of the day. Thanks so much for the time on release day and hopefully it will be the start of big things for you.
I really appreciate you taking the time to have me on. Don't be a stranger.
Stay tuned for more new music from Delta Sweet coming in 2025. For all the latest news and tour updates, visit deltasweetmusic.com.
OFFICIAL SITE | INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | FACEBOOK | TWITTER/X |
