www.justinrutledge.com
Rutledge has released three albums, No Never Alone, The Devil on a Bench in Stanley Park and Man Descending. His fourth album, entitled, "The Early Widows" was released in May 2010 on Six Shooter Records.
Rutledge's musical style is often compared to that of American alt-country singer Ryan Adams. His influences, both of the literary and music world, include Leonard Cohen, Hank Williams, Richard Brautigan and E.E. Cummings.
In 2006, Justin Rutledge was named Toronto singer-songwriter of the year by NOW magazine.
Rutledge has toured Canada, the UK, the United States and Europe, and has played shows with Kathleen Edwards, Jim Cuddy, Blue Rodeo, Hawksley Workman, Luke Doucet and Dolly Parton.
His critically acclaimed lyrics are sometimes linked by music writers to his time as a university English major; he was editor-in-chief of a University of Toronto literary journal.
History
Early life
Justin Rutledge was born and grew up in the Junction neighbourhood in Toronto, a working class community centered around an intersection of four railway lines. He was raised in an Irish-Catholic family and grew up with aspirations of becoming a writer. To that end he studied English literature, with a major in modern poetry, at the University of Toronto. He dropped out after three years of school as his musical career got in the way. Rutledge told Macleans in an interview that his backup plan would be to finish his university studies in English "if this music thing doesn't work."
No Never Alone (2004-2005)
No Never Alone is Justin Rutledge's first album. In order to pay for the recording he worked as a bartender. Rutledge has remarked, "I would often do a studio session during the day, and then head straight to work until 4 or 5 in the morning"
The album earned Rutledge considerable praise, particularly in the UK, where he was compared to Ryan Adams by Comes With a Smile, who also proclaimed that "A major new talent has landed". Additional UK praise came from Uncut magazine who referred to Rutledge as “a master of gothic understatement” and NME describing the album as "an incredible breakthrough".
It was only receiving this attention in the UK that 'No Never Alone' was released in Rutledge's native Canada.
The Devil on a Bench in Stanley Park (2006-2007)
Rutledge's second album, "The Devil on a Bench in Stanley Park" was released through Six Shooter Records on October 6, 2006. "Devil on a Bench" is actually Rutledge's second attempt at a sophomore album - He spent a year recording his first attempt, tentatively titled In the Fall, before he scrapped it. He was unsatisfied with the album, and has explained, “I thought a sophomore album should have just a bit more of an assured sense about it. A second step forward should be a step up the ladder as opposed to just asserting your presence. You’re not just saying, ‘hey, I’m still here. You’re saying, ‘hey I’m here and I’ve challenged myself and I’ve hopefully done something that I haven’t done already. In order to challenge himself and create the album he wanted, Rutledge wrote a new batch of songs and recorded them in eight days with his band - opting for a more live recording style.
"The Devil on a Bench in Stanley Park" was nominated for a Juno award in the category "Roots & Traditional Album of the Year: Solo" and received the Galaxie Rising Star Award at the Edmonton Folk Festival.
[edit] Man Descending (2008)
Man Descending
Justin Rutledge's third album, "Man Descending" was released on April 8, 2008 through Six Shooter Records. The album is named after a 1982 collection of short stories by Guy Vanderhaeghe, also called "Man Descending". Rutledge was inspired by a line from Vanderhaeghe's book, "A man descending is propelled by inertia; the only initiative left him is whether or not he decides to enjoy the passing scene." He says of the line, "It really resonated with me. As I continued to read the stories, I realized that all these characters in the book were dealing with the same kind of static or inertia in their lives. I kind of took little threads and wove them into songs."
The album features Ron Sexsmith, Jenn Grant, Catherine MacLellan, Hawksley Workman, Melissa McClelland, Joey Wright, Jim Bryson as well as "What Rutledge calls the best band in town; David Baxter, Bazil Donovan and Blake Manning; Burke Carroll and Bob Packwood."
"Man Descending" was long-listed for the Polaris Music Prize.[17] Other praise for "Man Descending" in 2008 included the #5 spot on Exclaim's Wood, Wires & Whiskey top 10 and a nomination for Contemporary Album of the Year at the Canadian Folk Music Awards.
According to an interview, "Compared to 2006’s The Devil On A Bench In Stanley Park, Rutledge feels Man Descending is a much more patient, intimate and mature album, despite recording it in just three days."
The songs "Alberta Breeze" and "San Sebastian" were written for "In The Fall:" - the album that Rutledge scrapped in 2006, and were rerecorded for Man Descending.
In 2009 Justin Rutledge took part in an interactive documentary series called City Sonic. The series, which featured 20 Toronto artists, had him reflecting on his time performing at the Cameron House.
The Early Widows (2010)
The Early Widows is Justin Rutledge's fourth album, released in May 2010 on Six Shooter Records. Justin wrote several songs with a single character in mind from author Michael Ondaatje's Novel Divisadero after collaborating with Ondaatje on a theatrical adaptation of the novel. Michael Onjaatje also co-wrote several of the songs receiving official credit for the single Be A Man.
The album is produced by Canadian singer-songwriter Hawksley Workman (also credited as a musician on the album) and also features Canadian singer-songwriter Oh Susanna.
The Suffering of Pepe O'Malley
Justin Rutledge Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I am a tightrope walker from Barcelona, Spain
Sometimes I lose my balance, and you complain
But you'll always be, you'll always be my
Dear Madeline
If I afford the fare, can you meet me in London
With your Bible in Trafalgar Square?
My tears rolled by like taxis on Bloor Street
At 10 P.M. On a Friday night
Dear Emily
I am a gargoyle carver from Florence, Italy
Sometimes the chisel slips and I forget your malady,
But you'll always be, you'll always be my
Dear Emily
If I afford the fare, can can you meet me in Dublin
With your compass and a smoke to spare?
There's only booze-hounds here
So I won't be home for Christmas or New Year
But you'll always be, you'll always be my Dear Emily
She said, "I want to die in Vienna, listening to a moonlight sonata"
In Justin Rutledge's song "The Suffering Of Pepe O'Malley," the lyrics depict two separate letters addressed to two different women, Madeline and Emily. The songwriter assumes the identity of various characters and professions in an attempt to express his love and longing for these women.
In the first verse, the songwriter assumes the role of a tightrope walker from Barcelona. He acknowledges that sometimes he loses his balance and that this frustration is expressed by his partner, Madeline. However, despite their differences, he affirms that Madeline will always hold a special place in his heart.
The second verse sees the songwriter become a gargoyle carver from Florence. He confesses that sometimes he forgets about Emily's troubles while indulging in his own artistic pursuits. Nevertheless, he reassures Emily that she will always be cherished by him.
The chorus of the song yearns for a reunion, offering to meet the women in different cities. Despite the challenges and distance in their relationship, the songwriter expresses a heartfelt desire to see them again. His plea to meet with the women in specific locations symbolizes the longing for connection and the attempt to bridge the emotional gap between them.
The song concludes with a poignant statement from one of the women. She expresses her desire to die while listening to Beethoven's "Moonlight Sonata" in Vienna, highlighting a longing for a romantic and peaceful end.
Overall, "The Suffering Of Pepe O'Malley" explores themes of distance, longing, and the struggle to maintain connection in relationships. It touches on the challenges faced by individuals in expressing their love and the desire to reunite with their partners despite the obstacles.
Line by Line Meaning
Dear Madeline
Beloved Madeline, my dear companion
I am a tightrope walker from Barcelona, Spain
I am a risk-taker, always teetering on the edge, coming from a distant land
Sometimes I lose my balance, and you complain
Occasionally, I falter and make mistakes, which frustrates and bothers you
But you'll always be, you'll always be my Dear Madeline
Nevertheless, you will forever hold a special place in my heart, my beloved Madeline
If I afford the fare, can you meet me in London
If I can manage the expenses, can we reunite in the bustling city of London?
With your Bible in Trafalgar Square?
Bringing your solace and faith to the famous Trafalgar Square?
'Cause when you left me here
Because when you departed from my side
My tears rolled by like taxis on Bloor Street
My sorrowful tears flowed incessantly like the taxis passing through Bloor Street
At 10 P.M. On a Friday night
Specifically at 10 o'clock in the evening on a Friday, a time of solitude and emptiness
Dear Emily
Beloved Emily, my dear companion
I am a gargoyle carver from Florence, Italy
I am an artist crafting intricate sculptures, shaped like grotesque figures, hailing from the enchanting city of Florence
Sometimes the chisel slips and I forget your malady
Occasionally, my focus wavers and I unintentionally overlook your suffering
But you'll always be, you'll always be my Dear Emily
But regardless, you will eternally remain cherished in my heart, my beloved Emily
If I afford the fare, can you meet me in Dublin
If I can manage the expenses, can we meet in the lively city of Dublin?
With your compass and a smoke to spare?
Carrying your navigational tool and a bit of leisure to share?
There's only booze-hounds here
This place is filled with excessive drinkers and revelers
So I won't be home for Christmas or New Year
Hence, I won't be able to return home for the joyous occasions of Christmas or New Year
But you'll always be, you'll always be my Dear Emily
Nevertheless, you will forever hold a special place in my heart, my beloved Emily
She said, 'I want to die in Vienna, listening to a moonlight sonata'
She expressed her desire to pass away in Vienna, accompanied by the enchanting melodies of Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Justin Rutledge
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@elmejorrockdelmundo.4647
MUCHAS GRACIAS!!!!!!
@simonpymon1959
Ahead of his time, hope he's still at it!
@normanlennox4949
He used to be a regular at Kilgour's when I worked there. Great guy. Hugely talented. I wore this CD out.
@HenkDroge
He was also incredible in Groningen Holland oktober 2007
@jaimewoodside4427
My tears rolled by like taxis on. QUEEN street at 10pm…
@FunkyardDogg
Great video, great song!
@blueblackberry7
OK best video ever!
@monnie711
@mmccaughey11 i just saw him today/ met him hes amazng!
@irrahxcore
hankerchief people!
@JohnWillisTO
I like Justin's songwriting, but I really question his choices in production. Having seen him live around 2011/12, his music really takes off in live sets when he's got the steam engine at full throttle - the contrast of the slide and other guitars is just absolutely transporting, and having a harder rock edge helps to put his voice in the best setting. His albums are, to my ear, too peaceful, not gritty and loud enough - think of Lucinda Williams' Car Wheels On A Gravel Road - at his live best, JR and his band rival the best electric roots Americana. Too often he seems to be reaching for what the Great Lakes Swimmers do