Edmonton’s Old Reliable releases The Burning Truth and just hopes for long-term fans

When I hook up with Edmonton country-roots ace Shuyler Jansen he’s sorting recyclables, cleaning up in preparation for a move from his long-time Alberta home. But he’s not heading for the bright lights of Hogtown, hoping to set up shop at the self-proclaimed centre of Canada’s musical universe. He’s only skipping over to Saskatoon, where his wife’s family is from.

“There’s no real music industry in Edmonton or Saskatoon,” he quips, “so either way”¦”

Thankfully, the 30-year-old singer, songwriter, and guitarist’s departure from his original stomping grounds doesn’t signal the end of his band, Old Reliable. He just plans on becoming an interprovincial commuter.

“It’s only five-and-a-half hours,” he points out, “so it’s really easy to drive that long.”

As someone who’s never driven for five-and-a-half hours straight, I’ll take his word on that. My preferred mode of transportation for anything over three hours is a plane-which is what Old Reliable drummer Mike Silverman uses when he travels in from Eastern Canada for gigs.

One way or another, the quintet will converge at the Marine Club on Friday (August 19), performing tunes from its new CD, The Burning Truth, one of the catchiest Canadian roots-rock records since Blue Rodeo‘s Outskirts.

“It is pretty accessible,” agrees Jansen. “I think we made a real straight-up recording of what we sounded like live at that time.”

With four albums to its credit, Old Reliable has been a fixture on the Alberta music scene for more than a decade, and in that time it’s seen its share of both packed and deserted clubs.

“There’s been times when we’ve been really popular,” recalls Jansen, “and there’s been times when no one comes to the shows. Just like any band that stays around forever, you’re gonna face those challenges.”

The last time Jansen played Vancouver he was here as a solo artist, showcasing tunes from his electronic-tinged 2004 CD, Hobotron. That was the kind of eclectic release you might expect from a guy whose favourite acts of late include Sam Prekop from the Sea & Cake and Sun Kil Moon, the latest project of Mark Kozelek from the Red House Painters.

No wonder Jansen-who will do his solo thing at the Railway Club on Wednesday (August 24)-isn’t obsessed with Old Reliable landing on the JR-FM play list anytime soon.

“There’s always a chance for crossover,” he posits, “’cause [Edmonton rocker-turned-countryman] Corb Lund has done well with that. But then his stuff’s also a lot more plaintive, whereas ours has always got the distortion. And I think it’s all a matter of video-if you make a video that goes well on CMT or MuchMusic, then you have a real potential to cross over.

“But I don’t have those expectations for Old Reliable; I just hope that we build up a solid, dedicated following. What we’re hopin’ for is just long-term fans, you know.”