In Alberta, the lonesome, evocative sounds of the pedal steel guitar are most at home in Western music. But as Calgary’s Wayne Patrick Garrett shows, the instrument is capable of exploring sonic horizons far beyond country roads.
Garrett’s debut release, Marine Life, highlights his unique approach to the pedal steel, yielding dreamy instrumental soundscapes and abstract, thought-provoking grooves. As he looks ahead to his performance at Sled Island Festival, Garrett reflects on how he crafted the record’s distinct vibe.
“I had to be pretty deliberate about cleaning my vocabulary, trying to avoid country-sounding idioms and licks,” Garrett says. “I like country, I play enough of it…but Marine Life is definitely not going for a country sound.”
Before Marine Life’s release in 2024, Garrett’s pedal steel work could be heard with Matt Masters, Shane Ghostkeeper, and many other country-adjacent acts in the Alberta music community. When striking out on his own, however, Garrett was determined to do something different.
“I think of the songs as these kind of abstract landscapes,” Garrett explains. “I had to take an alternative approach to the instrument…to get richer harmonies and explore jazzier chords.”
Garrett’s playing, accompanied by bassists Garrett McGinn and Keith Rodger and drum grooves from Patrick Hamilton, aims to “paint soaring pathways through deep waters, towering clouds, and radiant constellations.” It’s an approach akin to visual art, which seems to make sense at first blush. Garrett is an accomplished artist in many different mediums, most prominently his sculptures and installations created alongside artistic partner Caitlind Brown.
Garrett is reluctant to draw a direct connection between his music and the rest of his art, preferring to keep his practices separate. Nonetheless, his experience in both worlds has undoubtedly informed his overall philosophy.
“Playing music in groups, you’re inherently collaborating with people…you learn to give and take, to leave space and take space,” Garrett notes.
“And just being in the world of contemporary art really changed my outlook towards creativity in general. It’s a cliché, but [it’s] the idea that anything can be art and it comes down to intention.”
Looking ahead to Sled Island, Garrett says he’s looking forward to being part of one of his favourite Calgary festivals.
“There’s something about Sled for me. It makes [Calgary] feel like a different city,” Garrett explains.
“The other thing that really excites me is the bands that I discover. I found so many of my favourite bands and projects over the years just from shows at Sled.”
With a Friday night slot at Central United Church alongside Sharon Udoh and HOMESHAKE, Wayne Patrick Garrett may well become a coveted Sled Island discovery himself. The lush pedal steel soundscapes he creates are sure to delight audiences both in person and on the airwaves.
Wayne Patrick Garrett’s Sled Island performance will be broadcast LIVE on CKUA airwaves. Tune in at 6pm MT on Friday, June 19 to hear him.
Listen to Wayne Patrick Garrett’s “Reflections” from his 2024 release Marine Life.
