Ron Sexsmith plots 'Exit Strategy'

Canadian singer/songwriter Ron Sexsmith has mapped his first run of US dates to support his new album, "Exit Strategy of the Soul."

The critically acclaimed performer will play a couple of shows in his home country this month before officially launching the tour Sept. 16 in Hoboken, NJ. The outing includes 15 US dates from coast to coast and will conclude with Canadian gigs in Ontario and Nova Scotia. Details are listed below.

On his ninth album, "Exit Strategy of the Soul," Sexsmith builds on his folk-pop sound, adding gospel and soul elements along with a Cuban horn section and his own imperfect piano playing. Though many of his records have been written on piano, this is the first one that showcases his playing throughout.

"At the core of the record, I thought it might be kind of cool to have an element that was kind of unpolished, and have the other musicians play around that," Sexsmith said in his bio. "So that became the springboard for the sound of the record, with me banging away on the keys."

The album includes the Juno-winning artist's recording of "Brandy Alexander," a song he co-wrote with fellow Canadian Feist. The tune is streaming at his MySpace page.

Sexsmith, known as a "songwriter's songwriter," counts Paul McCartney, Elton John, Steve Earle, John Prine, Radiohead, Elvis Costello, John Hiatt and Sheryl Crow among his legion of fans. Though he hasn't captured mainstream success, he's fine with his place in the musical universe.

"Over the years, I've built it up to the point where I have a cult following, for lack of a better term," Sexsmith explained. "I don't have a huge following, but for the most part, they're very into it. So that's encouraging, and that's really all you can ask for these days."

[Note: The following tour dates have been provided by artist and/or tour sources, who verify its accuracy as of the publication time of this story. Changes may occur before tickets go on sale. Check with official artist websites, ticketing sources and venues for late updates.]
 tour dates and tickets
August 2008
9 - Edmonton, Alberta - Edmonton Folk Festival
22 - Welland, Ontario - IlluminAqua

September 2008
15 - Hoboken, NJ - Maxwell's
16 - New York, NY - Bowery Ballroom
17 - Philadelphia, PA - Tin Angel
18 - Cambridge, MA - T.T. The Bear's
19 - Vienna, VA - Jammin' Java
22 - Nashville, TN - The Belcourt Theatre
24 - Atlanta, GA - Five Spot
25 - Cincinnati, OH - 20th Century Theatre
27 - Chicago, IL - Schubas Tavern
28 - Milwaukee, WI - Shank Hall
29 - Minneapolis, MN - Varsity Theater

October 2008
4 - Vancouver, British Columbia - Chan Centre for the Performing Arts
7 - Seattle, WA - Triple Door
8 - Portland, OR - Doug Fir Lounge
9 - San Francisco, CA - Great American Music Hall
11 - West Hollywood, CA - Troubadour
17 - Bellville, Ontario - Empire Theatre
23 - Toronto, Ontario - Massey Hall
24 - Halifax, Nova Scotia - Rebecca Cohn Auditorium

 tour dates and tickets
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