Chris shares insights on his latest album, his connection to Winnie the Pooh, and Kenny Loggins Comparing Him to Neil Young

Coyote Music: Chris, it's good to "meet" you! Thanks in advance for taking the time to answer some questions. First and foremost, you've got a new album! Congratulations on the release of The Waiting. We spend all this time writing, recording, producing and promoting until Release Day! How have things been since you've been able to share the record with everyone else?

Chris Beland: Thanks Wiley for having me here. I’ve been getting a lot of kind words from people saying they resonate with the new songs. I’ve been trying not to hold out too much expectation on the world receiving it. I try to remember to let the music speak for itself and hopefully it will travel to all the right ears.

CM: What has The Waiting meant to you, as far as inspiration for the tracks and completing it as its own project?

CB: As a whole, The Waiting has been a very inspiring project. It was a quick turn around. Faster than I’m used to in previous projects. We had it all recorded within a few months. After a couple of meetings with Tariqh Akoni - the producer- we had an outline of everything we wanted to hear, lyrically and musically. The studio was a really inspiring place in the foothills of Santa Barbara owned by Sean McCue. It was easy to create in there.

CM: Are you planning to tour this fall or early in 2025, or is it time to let the record fly and move on to more writing, etc.?

CB: After my solo trip though Ireland I came home recently to play at the Fremont Theater opening for John Hyatt. It was an amazing experience playing for 700 + people. My next big gig is opening for Glen Philips of Toad the Wet Sprocket at SOHO in Santa Barbara on December 1st. After that the sky is the limit. I feel the itch to make a tour happen.

CM: I've been playing music for 30+ years and hadn't previously encountered the gig of being a hospice musician. I imagine that comes with a whole lot of insight into humanity in its most vulnerable form. Can you talk a bit about finding that opportunity, what it's meant to you, and the highs and lows that comes from performing for that sort of audience?

CB: My step dad who raised me was a very strong man. A cowboy through and through and lived for the rodeo. When he got diagnosed with cancer and was on hospice, he asked me to be by his side playing music for him. I did that all the way until his final breath. That experience stayed with me and seven years later I got a call from Wilshire Hospice in San Luis Obispo asking if I’d be willing to apply for a job as a hospice musician. I didn’t even know a job like that existed. It literally fell on my lap. I was sent alongside another veteran musician and we visited patients from 9-5pm all over the county. Eventually they gave me my own patients and I went solo. I found the experience rewarding, sharing in that sacred space and playing the songs that made them feel good. It could be anything from a hymn to a James Taylor song. Music has this way of changing the atmosphere. I witnessed it over and over again. Of course there were times when I felt the heaviness of it all but I didn’t let it stick to me for too long. I had a family to get to and gigs to play. I had to somehow shake it off.

CM: I had the opportunity to review the CaliAmerican Vol. 2 Kenny Loggins tribute record. It was fantastic! How did you get involved with that, and then continue your relationship with Santa Barbara Records?

CB: My first connection with Santa Barbara Records came through an album I made back in 2020. Someone from the label was listening to KCBX and heard an interview I did which led them to discover the new record I just released titled What I Believe. I was asked to join forces with them and re-release that album through them. It was a good experience. I definitely got more ears on my little indie album. The follow up was CaliAmericana Vol. 2 when they asked for an original and a Kenny Loggins cover.

CM: And a follow-up: how did you get matched with "Return to Pooh"? Were songs assigned or did you get to pick your own? And were you an especially avid Loggins fan prior to that record?

CB: My mom named me after that Christopher Robin from Winnie the Pooh and the song I covered was part of that inspiration. So I picked up my guitar and the song just fell out easily. I sent it to my mom first and she cried. Then I sent it over to the label and they said let’s track it. It was surreal playing that song in front of Kenny. He got up on stage after I played it and compared me to a young Neil Young and other kind things. That’s what opened up the door to record this new EP actually.

CM: I saw you've got some house concerts booked. What are your thoughts about that setting as opposed to playing club gigs? Is the future of career musicians to be found in the industry of house concerts? Also, so you know, you've now got a house in Austin, Texas to play the next time you're in town. :)

CB: Oh man there’s nothing like a good ol' house concert. It’s the most intimate way to share music. Everyone’s in the room with you and it’s a different energy than playing in a club somewhere. You can actually tell a story and keep them engaged. Not saying I don’t enjoy rocking out on a good stage. That’s a real good feeling too but house concerts are the best.

Would love to play at your house Wiley!

CM: The Waiting is a 4-song EP. What was it that kept it to 4 tracks? Timing, budget, or did those 4 songs just complete a period of writing that you felt was complete as-is, only to be diminished by adding songs from another muse?

CB: It started out with close to 50 songs. It was a lot. I sent them everything I had and even ones I was currently writing. The list was narrowed down to fifteen then to eight then to four. I think the reason for only four was to see how much momentum they can get. If it takes off then I there’s the possibility that more opportunities to record more will come.

CM: What's 2025 looking like for you? New projects, collaborations, venues, perhaps?

CB: At the moment I’m working on a collaboration with my 19 year old daughter Harmony. We’re almost finished with a 5 song EP. As far 2025, I just hope to continue to stay positive and keep putting myself out there. I would love to tour the south and even the Midwest. Make my way up to Montana even. The sky is the limit.

CM: That's probably a good place to stop for now. What else is on your mind that we haven't touched on? What promo or other words of wisdom would you like to pass along to a new audience and potential new Chris Beland fans?

CB: At the moment I’m leaning into whatever doors open for me. Learning to trust my gut.