Erin McCallum Expands Her Musical Horizons with Bold New Album 'Full Spread'

By Ken Wallis | The Sound Cafe Journal

Photo Credit: Amber Vee Photography.

Canadian singer‑songwriter Erin McCallum has long been recognized as one of the standout voices in Canada’s blues and roots landscape. In a recent conversation with BluesSource Canada Erin opened up about the project’s meaning, the musicians behind it, and the stories woven through its songs. The result is a portrait of an artist who knows exactly what she wants to say and how she wants people to feel when they hear it.

A True Evolution in Erin’s Songwriting.

With the release of her new album Full Spread, McCallum steps confidently into a broader creative space, one defined by fine-tuned songwriting, genre‑bending arrangements, and a commitment to truth in music. It’s a genre‑crossing album built on truth, teamwork, and roots

While McCallum acknowledges the album doesn’t fit neatly into traditional blues, she embraces its roots‑inspired nature. Listeners will hear touches of funk, rock, blues, and New Orleans flavours. As she puts it, the album draws on “roots influences exactly as you would expect,” but refuses to be boxed in.

Recorded at Ganaraska Recording Company in Baltimore, Ontario, Full Spread is a nine‑song album featuring McCallum’s powerful voice. The album embraces a “message first” philosophy, allowing each track to explore phases of the human experience. The album is “built around McCallum’s signature sound,” supported by strong arrangements, solid grooves, and musicianship that elevates her heartfelt voice.  The album features a who’s who of the music industry.

A Title That Says It All

McCallum describes Full Spread as an album designed to give listeners “the whole deal.” In her words, the title reflects an experience where “they’re going to get the full spread, a little bit of everything, not confined to any one thing in particular.” She also nods to the printing term Full Spread, where a centerfold appears seamlessly across two pages. It’s a fitting metaphor for an album meant to be taken in as one complete, uninterrupted vision.

A Genre‑Rich Musical Journey

True to its title, Full Spread offers listeners a wide spectrum of styles.  McCallum herself describes the album simply: people can expect songs classified as music, a statement that reflects her refusal to be confined by traditional structures or narrow genre labels.  BluesSource Canada takes a bigger step calling it ‘damn good music’

Collaborative Chemistry with Teddy Leonard

Two tracks on the album, I’m Still Here (For Now) and I Need A New Lover were co‑written with acclaimed Canadian Blues guitarist and longtime bandmate Teddy Leonard. Their musical chemistry, honed over nearly a decade of live performances, is unmistakable. The single I Need A New Lover has already gained traction on streaming platforms and terrestrial radio across Canada, the UK, and Australia.

Leonard’s slide guitar also plays a storytelling role on Good Intentions, a rock‑infused track that channels the frustration of being misunderstood despite good intentions.

A New Perspective on a Fan Favourite

The album closes with an acoustic reimagining of Home, one of McCallum’s most notable songs from her 60‑plus‑song catalogue. This new version highlights her evolution as an artist while reaffirming the enduring strength of her songwriting.

A Production Team of Big-time Talent

Full Spread is co‑produced by McCallum and Leonard, with a production team that reads like a who’s‑who of Canadian Roots and Blues talent:

• Jimmy Bowskill – Award‑winning singer, songwriter, multi‑instrumentalist, and producer; serves as sound engineer, plays pedal steel on Lost Myself Loving You, and contributes backing vocals.

• Steve Marriner – Multi‑award‑winning musician and producer; mixes the album, plays bass on every track, adds harmonica on The Big Shout and I Need A New Lover, and contributes backing vocals.

• Gary Craig – Renowned percussionist and a resident player on the album.

• Steve O’Connor – Keyboardist whose work adds depth and texture throughout.

• Philip Shaw Bova – Industry‑acclaimed mastering engineer who completes the sonic landscape.

Together, they help deliver what the press release calls “a fully realized album that brings McCallum’s work forward, without compromise.”

Choosing the Songs

McCallum and co-producer guitarist Teddy Leonard selected the material by flipping through her songbook and trusting their instincts. “I knew those songs had legs,” she says. The pair also co‑wrote a few tunes, and once they hit the studio, the chemistry was instant. “We just made short work of it and said, we don’t have to keep going. We got everything we need.”

Stories Behind the Lyrics

Several tracks on Full Spread carry personal and universal themes that McCallum was eager to unpack.

“Good Intentions”

Inspired by moments when kindness is misunderstood, McCallum points to the familiar saying: “The road to hell is paved with good intentions.” The song captures that feeling of trying to do right and having it land wrong.

“Have It All”

A tribute to quiet kindness, the song honours people who help others without expecting recognition. “A little bit of grace goes a long way,” she says. Those who give without thanks, she believes, truly “have it all”.

“Good, Good News”

An upbeat tune celebrating the intangible joy of good news—something McCallum feels the world needs more of. “You can experience it, you can hear about it… but at the end of the day, good news brings joy.”

“Home”

The album closes with an acoustic reimagining of a fan favourite originally released in 2008–2009. McCallum felt she could get “closer to the truth” of the song, and the stripped‑down version delivers exactly that. She credits Teddy Leonard as “the star of the show” on this track.

Release Details

Full Spread arrives August 1 on all major digital platforms and at McCallum’s live shows. . Fans can also pick up a digital download card, which includes the album plus exclusive bonus content.  One standout bonus is a previously unreleased track from the Blues Music Collective: “One, Two, Three, Go” featuring the late John Mays, shared by Fathead founder Omar Tunnoch. McCallum calls it “fantastic” and a special treat for fans. For now, these download cards are available only at live shows due to limited quantity

Photo Credit: Ken Wallis.

About The Writer.

Ken Wallis has been a cornerstone of Hamilton, Ontario’s media and music scenes for decades. He began his career at CHCH TV in 1973, producing arts and cultural content, creating revenue-generating campaigns, and even directing a segment with Sophia Loren.

After 13 years in television, Ken joined Mohawk College, retiring as Associate Dean of Media and Entertainment after 28 years. There, he championed Hamilton’s music and arts communities, producing concerts with legends like Jimmie Vaughan and Larry Carlton, supporting the Hamilton Music Awards, and collaborating with Boris Brott.

Ken’s passion for blues led him to host BluesSource Canada on INDI 101.5 FM, the show aired for close to ten years globally on our sister platform, Blues and Roots Radio, and was featured here at The Sound Cafe as a podcast for five years. The radio show continues today on INDI 1015 FM and now is syndicated on Blues Radio U.K. and archived on Mixcloud.

Ken also established BluesSource Entertainment, promoting live blues in Hamilton. He serves on blues boards, contributes to The Sound Cafe and and has contributed to Hamilton City Magazine, which documented performances through concert photography.

Most recently, Ken co-founded the Escarpment Blues Society with Juno Award-winning Steve Strongman, serving as President to support local musicians, promote music education, and strengthen Hamilton’s live music community.

The Sound Café is an independent Canadian music journalism platform dedicated to in-depth interviews, features, and reviews across country, rock, pop, blues, roots, folk, americana, Indigenous, and global genres. Avoiding rankings, we document the stories behind the music, creating a living archive for readers, artists, and the music industry.

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