Lester Slade Wears His Pride on His Guitar
Lester Slade talks touring through rural Canada and making music to bring everyone together.
Lester Slade is country country – he lives in Nunavut, one of the northernmost communities in Canada. His new split, Time/Old Machine, combines the raw edge of his punk rock past and the high lonesome of his present. Slade took some time to reflect on his hard-won experience touring through rural Canada as a queer man, punk houses, sobriety, and the best venues he's played in.
How do you help create more inclusive spaces in the country and roots world?
I think it’s super important to make music inclusive for everyone. I think as a performer that has been the goal from the start, I’m clear about my values. When I tour, I love sharing the stage with queer artists. We’ve never bought into the hate that’s been part of country music’s history. Try to lead by Acceptance. We want everyone to feel welcome, no matter their background. Sometimes that's hard to get to but it's worth trying for.
I think a lot of it has to do with playing in different communities, whether it's through collaborations with queer artists, participating in pride events, or hosting shows that welcome all identities. I used to run a punk house show venue with some friends back in Moncton for about six years, And that had a big part in how I look at shows in general now. I prefer shows to be run with that in mind.
I put a pride flag on my '80s Norman Jumbo guitar for a pride event. After our gig, we went and jammed at a pub down the road from the venue. Someone from the bar said, "I don't know how you can support that bullshit and put that on your guitar."
That flag has been on my guitar ever since. I guess it's kind of a small way of pushing back against ignorance while playing country and folk music.
The hope is that music brings us all together. I think also living in Nunavut has been an incredible experience, letting me perform and collaborate with amazing northern musicians and making me a better artist.
How do you balance having fun and being responsible while on tour?
Being on the road as an artist has its challenges, including my past struggles with substance abuse. It’s been a journey, but I’ve learned that taking care of myself is key to performing well and staying happy in general. I wish I had focused on more when I was starting out.
I still enjoy the shows, but I know fun doesn’t have to be about substances. I try to still connect with the audience and the music while also practicing that. Staying hydrated, eating well, and resting up between gigs are important too. Plus, having a supportive crew is crucial; try to look out for each other and create a respectful environment.
To younger artists, my advice is simple: enjoy the moment, but don’t overdo it. Ray Wylie Hubbard said, "Keep your gratitude higher than your expectations," and that’s always stuck with me.
What are some of the most memorable venues you've played in?
Touring as a Canadian artist is a challenge. Big country, high expenses, and a lot of distance between venues. But I’ve loved traveling through the U.S. Some of my favorite venues are there, Folks have a good connection and share stories and listen to yours.
Chattanooga is unforgettable. The energy there is wild, and the folks there make you feel like family. Big shoutout to Sluggo's, a queer-run restaurant and venue.
My punk band background shaped my performance style. Opening for acts and sharing my songwriting helped me find my voice. Performing in welcoming spaces with passionate music communities is a blast. I'll always want to do that in some way. Despite the ups and downs of touring, the connections I’ve made and the venues I’ve played will always be special to me.
