Music

HIGH FIVES: Justin Rutledge

by Sam Sutherland

Every week, High Fives asks five bands five themed questions over five days. This week, we’re get jacked on the material coming out of the Dischord Records archives (Dag Nasty! Government Issue! Reptile House!) and talking about re-issues.

Like many Canadian artists before him, and more to come, Toronto-born singer-songwriter Justin Rutledge first found acclaim in the UK before anyone in Canada bothered to take notice. No Never Alone, a stripped-down acoustic affair released in 2005, launched the singer (eventually) into the national spotlight, announcing an important new voice in the city’s stacked singer-songwriter community. A Juno nod for his sophomore effort, the livelier The Devil on a Bench in Stanely Park followed, as did a Polaris long-list nomination for 2008’s Man Descending. Most recently, Rutledge released The Early Widows, which notably includes multiple collaborations with Canadian literary powerhouse dude Michael Ondaatje. Rutledge performs at Lee’s Palace in Toronto next Friday.

Is there any one single album you’re waiting with baited breath to be reissued?

That’s a tough question, seeing as how I think I have every album that’s ever meant anything to me. To answer your question honestly, I’d have to say no.

Should reissues always come with new material? Have you ever bought a reissue and been let down by the bonus stuff?

I generally consider new material on reissues to be more of an added incentive to BUY the album. I don’t get all crazy about the bonus material. Unless it’s part of Dylan’s Bootleg Series, I’m not overly enthusiastic about the material.

Do reissues diminish the value of a beaten-up original?

I don’t think so. Audiophiles aside, I think the reissue of Exile On Main Street earlier this year was exciting for music lovers everywhere. Remastering and remixing add new sonic qualities, however there’s nothing that sounds better than that piece of vinyl you got from your dad’s record collection.

Have you ever dropped too much money on a single record? What record? How much?

Not too much. I think I got a rare and original George Jones album for 30 or 40 bucks.

If one of your own records could be reissued on any format, what record and what format would you choose?

I would choose my first album, No Never Alone, to be reissued on vinyl. Even though I have two of my albums on vinyl, I believe that NNA would sound the best because it’s the most acoustically-driven album, and we took great care to create a lot of space on those songs. Plus, I think the image on the cover would look amazing! One day, hopefully.