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Ron Sexsmith made his last appearance in the UK in November 2024 with his acclaimed Sexsmith at Sixty tour before extending his stay to record a new album at London’s Eastcote Studios with long-time collaborator Martin Terefe. That trip sparked a wave of inspiration, including the album’s title, Hangover Terrace, which Ron describes as a metaphor for the emotional residue left by the pandemic years. “It speaks of this hangover I feel from the last few years of pandemic and life knocking us around,” he reflects. The album moves away from the rural contentment of his recent work and delves into something more wounded and introspective, shaped by personal loss, strained friendships, and a rawer worldview.
Recording in London for the first time since 2007, Ron found creative freedom working with Terefe, whose spontaneous style helped reimagine songs daily. The sessions at Eastcote became a revolving door of musical talent—featuring past collaborators like Claes Bjorklund and Ed Harcourt, as well as surprise guests, including guitarist Robbie McIntosh and even producer Chris Kimsey. One of Ron’s favourite contributions came from Nora Joy Stephens, a young songwriter from his hometown of Stratford, who lent her voice to the album’s closing track. The songs explore themes both timely and timeless: the housing crisis in Camelot Towers, grief and gratitude in When Will the Morning Come, and spiritual musings in Angel on My Shoulder—a kind of counterpoint to his earlier Speaking With the Angel.
Now 61, Ron continues to write with the same introspective honesty that’s marked his career, shaped by new perspectives and life’s ever-changing terrain. He still walks daily to untangle lyrical knots and often composes at whichever instrument is nearby. “I never worry about repeating myself,” he says. “The 31-year-old Ron couldn’t write these songs.” With 17 studio albums under his belt and songs covered by everyone from k.d. lang to Rod Stewart, Sexsmith remains one of Canada’s most cherished songwriters. His memories of childhood in St. Catharines continue to surface in his music, including new tracks like Cigarette & Cocktail and Burgoyne Woods. Reflecting on it all, he’d offer this to his younger self: “Don’t give up. Be patient. Stay focused on what’s real.”
