Pictou County’s irrepressible, inimitable, Dave Gunning celebrates the release of his brand-spanking-new Up Against The Sky album with a special early solo show at The Carleton on Saturday, October 5th. Live music gets underway at 7 PM and tickets are $30 advanced, or $35 at the door.

Dave Gunning is best defined as a master craftsman. Over the course of 23 years and 11 earlier albums, the Nova Scotian folk singer/songwriter has diligently sharpened his skills, developing into a poetic storyteller and emotionally convincing singer with few equals.

The fruits of those labours are now vividly on display in his latest collection of songs, Up Against The Sky. The first single from the album is “In The Time I Was Away,” a gently reflective look at the changes wrought by absence. Written with Mark Lang, it is punctuated by a horns accompaniment that shows Gunning’s ability to add unconventional yet effective musical touches to his material.

Along with richly-deserved peer respect, Dave Gunning has earned a shelf full of music industry honours. That tally currently stands at eight East Coast Music Awards and two Canadian Folk Music Awards, plus a 2012 Juno Award nomination in the Roots & Traditional Solo Album of the Year category for his album … a tribute to John Allan Cameron, a compelling homage to another of Dave’s Maritime musical heroes.

For now, though, his concentrated focus is on Up Against The Sky. The record, and all that’s yet to come from this compelling artist, can be looked forward to with great anticipation.