Biography

Old Man Luedecke, is one of Canada’s best loved and most
intriguing roots singer-songwriters. “An original, he is a
musical singularity to be savoured and shared”, says the
Vancouver Folk Festival. His memorable melodies, poetic sense
and easy charisma appeal to anyone searching for new growth from
old roots.

Old Man Luedecke was born in Toronto but has made his home
for years in the music rich maritime province of Nova Scotia, on
the east coast of Canada. There his music has been
wholeheartedly adopted and is becoming representative for its
traditional storytelling folk elements. It speaks to a new
generation of people craving such meaning in their music.
Luedecke is a young man with an old soul who doesn’t sugar
coat his fears and this lets his songs breathe with a fresh
breeze of bittersweet hopefulness. He channels a refreshing
energy from folk giants like
Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger with maybe a hint of Loudon
Wainwright III. But it’s Luedecke’s contemporary lyrics coupled
with the irresistible rhythm of the old time banjo that connect
and make him so loved with his audiences. Anchored in his
music’s melodic confidence is an ability to tap into a common
muddled and dark search for meaning. This keeps people singing
his songs and praises after he’s traveled on.
His performances are exciting and totally entertaining. His
uncliched banjo playing sparkles beautifully and dynamically.
This coupled with his thumping foot creates a complete sound.
People are drawn into singing along. His singing is his own.
Clear and unadorned it is totally emotive and suits the
sincerity of his tunes. In the breaks between songs come wild
and charming stories of meeting heroes and easygoing but
gripping musings on things ridiculous and sublime that may have
a wink of contemporary vaudeville. Equally at home on festival
main stages, theatres and living rooms, he can hold court in the
occasional indie rock bar. Luedecke has been a featured
performer at all the major folk festivals in Canada and
Australia and an increasing number of American festivals, like
Strawberry in California. He has appeared with and shared the
stage at concerts and soft seaters with such performers as Feist,
Tim O’Brien, Joel Plaskett, David Francey, Buck 65, The Be Good
Tanyas and Jill Barber. He’s shared festival stages alongside
Bela Fleck, Tim O’Brien, Jack Elliot, Kris Kristofferson, Ashley
MacIsaac, and countless others.
Old Man Luedecke was commissioned in 2008/09 by the Canadian
Broadcasting Corporation to write and collaborate on symphonic
music that he performed with Symphony Nova Scotia to great
acclaim and an outpouring of joy. That show united the high and
low aspects of the folksinger’s art.
His three albums have brought growing acclaim for his music
and have provided a broader canvas for his songs. The latest,
Proof of Love won the prestigious 2009 Juno Award (the Canadian
Grammy) for Roots Solo album and won legions of new fans at home
and abroad. The album is a gathering of musicians making music
in a room (Vancouver’s famed Factory Studio) with Luedecke’s
tunes. It’s nothing fancy but is an exciting and unique roots
album combining OML’s trademark clawhammer style, compelling
originals and full band. His next album tentatively titled “My
hands are on fire and other love songs” will be released March
16 on Black Hen Music in Canada and will be again produced by
Steve Dawson. It will feature an exciting batch of new tunes and
instrumental and vocal contributions from American bluegrass
singing/songwriting whiz Tim O’Brien.