Award-winning Canadian singer-songwriter Alex Runions is thrilled to release his new album, “Above the Clouds and On the Ground” across all digital streaming platforms on March 7th.
Powered by the producing talents of WCMA winner Chris Burke-Gaffney (MacKenzie Porter, Chantal Kreviazuk), “Above the Clouds and On the Ground” is the third album from the Saskatoon-based artist, but it marks a purposeful departure from the familiar commercial country sound that defined his past records and earned him national recognition across Canada.
Instead, Runions has adopted an eclectic, independent-minded singer-songwriter approach to the album that draws on Americana, country, folk-rock, and folk-pop influences across its ten tracks, which in turn reflect the cornerstones, recollections, and recent shifts in his personal life.
Runions says, “What I love the most about making music is digging into the experiences of life and creating something with intention, meaning, and growth. This album encompasses what I’m passionate about as an artist without concern for how I should sound or where I should fit in. It is simply from my heart as a singer-songwriter with a voice that is truly my own.”
Along with the writing talents of Burke-Gaffney, Runions has included several co-writers on the album, including Steve Mitchell, David Leask, Joey Ebach, and Ryland Fisher, as well as his wife Erin Hill to explore a series of personal topics: drifting away from a partner (“On An Island”), coming to terms with alcoholism (“Day by Day”), leaving the past behind (“Tell 'Em All”), the gratitude of finding your person (“Missing Piece”), the carefree nostalgia of being young (“Watching the World Go By”), the love for a soulmate (“My Reason”), the joys of living in the moment (“Our Backyard”), the fading of passion (“Agreeable Grey”), the heartbreaking loss of a pet (“A Song for My Dog”), and making strides towards redemption (“Settling Up”).
For Runions, the path to the album has included 15 years of highlights – 2 past albums, a Top 50 Canadian radio hit, 3 SCMA Awards, as well as playing at 3 Grey Cup events, 5 showcases during Canadian Country Music Week, the Calgary Stampede, Country Thunder, Big Valley Jamboree, Country in the Creek, and the Americana Music Festival in Nashville.
Yet, it’s his recent personal milestones – marriage, fatherhood, and sobriety – that compelled Runions to tap into a refined sound, create his new album, and rekindle his love of making music. Now he is most grateful and inspired to offer a heartfelt gift through his new record.
He says, “With this album, my purpose is to lift people up into the clouds while keeping them grounded by what can be the harshness of reality. It’s about humanity, hope, and healing.”
“Above the Clouds and On the Ground” arrives all digital streaming platforms on March 7th.
For more about Alex Runions, follow him on social media:
Instagram: @AlexRunions
Facebook: @AlexRunionsMusic
TikTok: @alexrunions
X: @AlexRunions
Spotify: artist.sptfy.com/R2jD
YouTube: @AlexRunionsMusic
