The fact that Thomas Stajcer can even entertain the idea of recording his own songs speaks volumes about his love of the game. Stajcer is up to his ears in music all day, every day. His day job is to capture the sounds at New Scotland Yard; the Joel Plaskett-owned, award-winning studio in Dartmouth. One might think that swimming in that much music all the time would make it hard to focus on your own sound. When you get a chance to get out and dry off, you don’t always feel like diving back in. Stajcer, however, just keeps gathering steam
His first album, 2018’s Will I Learn to Love Again? had more of a live party vibe whereas his latest offering Midwestern States is more measured; more ‘intentional’ as he puts it.
A lot has changed in the last three years; not the least of which is Stajcer’s production skillset. Working with the best of the best that the east coast has to offer (Erin Costelo, Joel Plaskett, Mo Kenney, Old Man Leudecke, David Myles, Classified, just to name a few) has allowed him a rare opportunity. He has been able to hone his skills as a writer, player, and producer. He is constantly surrounded by talented and like-minded people and, because of this, he just keeps better.
This is not to take away from his first record. It, like this one, is a near-perfect snapshot of his influences. Sturgill Simpson, John Prine, Gram Parsons; all of these legends take their turn painting pictures throughout Stajcer’s songs. What we’re left with is a study in modern country writing and production that nods heavily toward the records that Thomas grew up listening to.
Sounds like serious business! The album’s opener assures us, however, that Stajcer isn’t taking himself all that seriously. “Who Will Listen to Country Music When Trucks Drive Themselves?” is a tongue-in-cheek narrative that lets Stajcer, “talk about a future I’m pessimistic about in a lighthearted way. I guess I like to hide truths in humor.”
Like any great country album though, some of those truths we look for come by way of fightin’, drinkin’, cryin’, lovin’, and leavin’, and Stajcer doesn’t disappoint. His Tele-twinged sound and Tennessee-influenced twang sit us up on a barstool and tell us all the stories we’d expect from a record like this. That a guy living in Nova Scotia can deliver this kind of sound is impressive, and that he can do it all while making records for everyone else is downright astounding.
“It’s definitely hard to have an objective perspective when working on my own stuff,” says Stajcer. “When working with other folks, I get to be an objective voice and tell them they’re overthinking it, but I definitely get in my own head about the same sorts of things.”
If songs like “Spinning Dimes,” “If I Had One Bottle More,” and “Lord I’ve Tried” are any indication, being in Stajcer’s head would make for one heck of an interesting visit.
“I thought a lot about vulnerability and redemption and inner conflict when putting the finishing touches on this album,” says Stajcer, who spent the time he needed to with this record. “I really wanted to make sure that everything involved was contributing to the overall mood of the song and the album as a whole.
“The first record was pretty loud, maybe obnoxious even,” laughs Stajcer. “I wanted to get done what needed to get done as simply as possible this time around.”
There’s something special about this record that is hard to put your finger on. It is confidently country but has invited its rock and roll cousin along. It tells stories and paints pictures that the listener will get lost in, but not so lost that they forget to tap their foot. It harkens back to the country sounds of the Canadian prairies in the ’90s, yet gets its mail in modern-day Nashville. Stajcer has really produced something beautiful here, and the album’s closer (and title track) is the proverbial cherry on top.
“Midwestern States” has been described as “Steve Earle does Nebraska”, and that handle is fitting. The atmospheric organ that opens the track makes you think that something is coming, and when the finger-picked guitar joins in it’s akin to an elementary school teacher instructing her class to get out their mats for storytime. It has the same qualities that all epic songs do. Sonic beauty, anticipation, and narrative; an airiness to it that almost forces you to close your eyes. Dynamically, it builds with electric guitar, mandolin, and drums until we’re completely drawn in. Its echoing vocals and plodding rhythm complement the track perfectly, and cap off this record like no other song could have.
Thomas Stajcer is a man who can reach an arm’s length in any direction and draw upon the talent and experience of his peers, and that luxury shines through on Midwestern States. Do yourself a favor and add this to your collection today.