Originally Published: 2007-01-28

It has been over three years between albums for Joel Kroeker, but accusing the B.C.-based singer/songwriter of being a slacker would be way off the mark. His 2003 debut, Melodrama, was received warmly enough to encourage Kroeker to tour relentlessly, traversing Canada at least five times, either supporting the likes of Hawksley Workman and Paul Kelly or touring solo.
He also performed as an accompanist for the likes of cabaret singer Patricia O'Callaghan and rock icon Randy Bachman, both of whom have covered his songs. Eager to expand his range as a songwriter, Joel has co-written with and had tunes recorded by an incredibly diverse range of other Canadian artists, from Pavlo to Lee Aaron, Quebec rocker Jonas and Haydain Neale (Jacksoul).
Through all this activity, Kroeker managed to find time to write a batch of new songs for his eagerly-awaited second album, Closer To The Flame. It will soon be released on True North Records, and it showcases an impressive creative evolution.
Even though he has become a prolific writer with others, he stuck to solo compositions for the new album. "This particular record is extremely personal to me," he explains. "I think I basically lived it for the past three years. It would be very hard for somebody to come in and help with such a personal thing."
"I consider the whole co-writing process a completely different one. I know my own range and limitations and as I'm writing a song can feel myself performing it. With someone else, you're trying to get into the head of another person. It's like being a detective, figuring out what stage that person is at in their life. Some people have totally wacky ways of writing and that's fascinating. You also get to watch another person think through the exact same problem. You paint yourself into a corner with a song, and I may go 'let's jump onto this side,' and the other person will go 'no, let's jump on the chandelier and swing across the room!'"
To record Closer To The Flame, Kroeker once again traveled to Toronto's Canterbury Sound studio to work with Melodrama's producer, Danny Greenspoon (Great Big Sea).

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