Ben Sures
w/ Angie Nussey. Mar 14 (8pm). Queen Alexandria Community Hall (10425 University Ave). Tickets: $18, available at TIX on the Square (420-1757/tixonthesquare.ca), Megatunes (10355 Whyte Ave), or at the door.

“I started out with way more ambition than talent,” Ben Sures admits. “I think it’s the opposite now.”

Even with almost 20 years of recording albums and reeling out memorable, intimate performances under his belt, the Regina-born singer/songwriter remains pointedly humble about his long career, industry accolades, and faithful fanbase. Sure, he placed second in the AAA category at last year’s International Songwriting Awards, won the John Lennon songwriting award for his tune “Any Precious Girl,” and has been a fixture at folk festivals in Edmonton, Winnipeg, and beyond with his iconic brand of folk-pop. But as strong as his fanbase (consisting primarily of “baby boomers and nerdy girls,” he jokes) may be, Sures has seen some down times.

“[Winning the contest] was a little confidence boost,” he says. “For maybe the first decade I was always chasing, contacting people to get my music heard; some of them took the time to contact me after [the award]. I had four years between albums and time to grow—to let go of that chase.”

Adding to Sures’ newfound ease is the warm reception that’s greeted his latest album, Field Guide to Loneliness. The album, co-produced by Mike Lent and mastered by Miles Wilkinson (who previously worked with the likes of Townes Van Zandt and Guy Clark) was recorded mostly here in Edmonton, and pitches and rolls gracefully between two-stepping folk tunes like “Who Killed The Last Folksinger?” and brooding, standup bass-driven songs like “Bachelors” and “Not on the Town.” Imagine Pete Seeger singing material from Tom Waits’ Nighthawks at the Diner: clever, brash, and inviting all at the same time. And sure enough, Sures in more demand than ever, but the guy still makes time to play house shows in his hometown.

“I played one house show maybe 10 or 11 years ago,” Sures recalls, “and they happened to have a baby—she was maybe 14 months—and they let her sort of crawl around on the floor during the show. You could tell the audience was uncomfortable and eventually they put her to bed and everyone loosened up. I played the same house just recently and this girl, who’s now 10 or 11, started dancing and flailing her arms, making people uncomfortable.” He laughs. “So they put her to bed, and everyone loosened up.” 

Ben and his eight-piece backing band are hoping for the same friendly reception when Field Guide to Loneliness makes its Edmonton premiere Friday night. Rest assured, the crowd will be in for a great show. “I’m kind of at that point,” Sures says, “where if I don’t get to have that huge kind of career, it’s alright—every time I play a show I’m going to enjoy it.”