Canadian Banjo Slayer Lisa LeBlanc Announces US + SXSW Tour Dates

Banjo-slaying extraordinaire Lisa LeBlanc has announced a string of live shows for a short U.S. run, including SXSW (showcase specifics TBD). After a standout appearance at last year's Americana Folk Fest and being shortlisted for Canada's 2017 Polaris Music Prize, these highly anticipated shows mark the nouveau-outlaw's return to the states after a nearly five year absence. LeBlanc's high-energy performance is intoxicating, fun, and one hell of a good time that will leave you itching for more - see for yourself this spring! Tour dates below.

LeBlanc's latest release, Why You Wanna Leave, Runaway Queen?, is a 12-track album which includes many original road-tested songs about love, heartache and friendships from the last two years as well as her first bluegrass-ish recording (a favorite at live shows) of Motörhead's classic "Ace of Spades".

CATCH LISA LEBLANC ON TOUR!
2/15 - 2/17 - Folk Alliance International Conference - Kansas City, MO
3/06 - Club Passim - Cambridge, MA
3/07 - Mercury Lounge - New York, NY
3/08 - Bourbon & Branch - Philadelphia, PA
3/10 - City Winery Upstairs - Nashville, TN
3/13 - 3/16 - SXSW - Austin, TX
3/17 - Zilker Brewery - Austin, TX
4/26 - 4/27 - Festival International de Louisiane - Lafayette, LA
+ More TBD

At 27 years old, the captivating singer, guitarist, banjo player who hails from Rosaireville, New Brunswick and now lives in Montreal, has toured for five years with her band and sold over 140 000 records on two continents. Her ability to compose rousing heart-wrenching narratives from the everyday via tales of love, friendship and heartbreak has brought on comparisons to the sharp wit of Courtney Barnett, the rambling honesty of Bob Dylan and the high flying sincerity of Dolly Parton.

Recorded at Mixart Studio and at Mountain City Studios in Montreal, "Why You Wanna Leave, Runaway Queen?" came together in the spring, and was guided by a wonderful team. Joseph Donovan took the reigns as Producer (Sam Roberts, The Dears) with Mico Roy on guitar, Benoit Morier on guitar and bass and Maxime Gosselin on drums. Award-winning singer Sam Roberts stopped in to help out with guest vocals on the tune "I Love You, I Don't Love You, I Don't Know."

Last fall, Nashville was the starting point for a road trip which was a turning point of sorts, musically and personally for Lisa LeBlanc. A huge fan and follower of cajun music and culture, her journey led her to Blackpot Camp in Eunice, Louisiana. Through workshops of all genres from Appalachian banjo to traditional cajun songs and guitars, to bluegrass flat picking, square dancing and Louisiana two-step, the trip provoked much inspiration.

Through further meandering through Lafayette, New Orleans, Austin, Asheville and New York she acquired new skills to refine her guitar and banjo technique. Guided by her nomadic instinct and experiences, she ended up her new album which also includes throwback inspiration from her teenage years as well as hints of rock, folk, blues, classic rock, spaghetti western and even, some Hawaiian music. Road songs and the people along the way provide the main inspiration, as well as the love songs and break-up songs you always wanted to write yourself.

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