Blues artist Steve Kozak comes to Ladner next Friday as part of the live@5005 concert series at Genesis Theatre.
Burnaby's Kozak, a recent Maple Blues Award winner, has released four CDs so far in his career, which dates back to the mid-1980s. His most recent is 2012's Lookin' at Lucky, a mix of original songs and favourite blues covers, which featured James Harman as a special guest.
Kozak says he's getting back into song writing mode now after being kept busy following the release of Lookin' at Lucky.
"I basically just try to come up with a story, something that's been a part of my life, that kind of thing," he says.
Kozak says he tries to do a fair bit of walking around during the songwriting process.
"I carry a note pad with me. I find that pedestrian beat is good for blues, too. It kind of gives you a tempo to work with."
He says he'll stop and jot down ideas and then put music to them later.
Kozak says he'd like to try to do an all-original album this time around. He's looking at having something out possibly next year or later this year, depending on how long it takes to get the songs together.
He was recognized by the Toronto Blues Society with the Maple Blues Award for New Artist or Group of the Year for 2012. The awards are Canada's national blues awards program.
"It was really a great highlight, that's for sure," he says, noting he's rarely been east of Alberta to perform but got his latest CD to a lot of people in radio in Toronto and across the country.
His style of blues has evolved over the years, he says, noting that when he started out he was really into the Chicago blues style, referencing Muddy Waters.
He discovered the West Coast blues, a distinct sound that came through Texas players moving west.
"I really took to that style," he says. "I thought that being a West Coast born and raised guy, that's the path I should follow."
He has previously performed at the Edmonton International Blues Festival, the Powell River Blues Festival and the Pender Harbour Blues Festival.
He says he's looking forward to the Ladner show and that he used to work on a farm in Delta for quite a few years. The show will be a chance for his friends out this way to see him perform, too.
"It's going to be a fun night." Kozak will bring his WestCoast All-Stars band, which includes Chris Nordquist on drums, Roger Brant on bass and Dave Webb on piano.
Kozak visits Genesis Theatre, 5005-45th Ave., on Friday, Feb. 21. Doors are at 7:30 p.m. with the show set for 8 p.m. Tickets are $15, cash only, at the door on the night of the performance. Visit genesistheatre.ca for more on the live@5005 concert series. Check out www.stevekozakmusic.com for more on Kozak.
