Young Dubliners focus on fans

The Young Dubliners have a new weapon in the live lineup — piper Eric Rigler.

"Eric has been on our albums, but he's not been able to tour with us," the Dubliners' lead singer/guitarist Keith Roberts said during a phone call from Los Angeles, Calif. "He's incredible. And he's the pipe and whistle player that every producer knows. So, if there's a band in Vancouver that needs whistles or pipes, they call Eric.

"Eric's performed on the 'Braveheart' and 'Titanic' soundtracks and has been all over the country recording his music for other bands. So, we're really lucky to have him in our lineup this time out.

"In fact, having him with us has forced us to rehearse," Roberts said with a laugh. "It's like having a new rocket. And we need to aim it correctly."

In addition to the new guy, the band — Roberts, guitarist Bob Boulding, drummer Dave Ingraham, violinist/mandolinist Chas Waltz and bassist Brendan Holmes — have wrapped up recording a new album, which is due for release later this year.

"We made it a priority that this would be an album of all original material," said Roberts. "Our last album ("With All Due Respect: the Irish Sessions") was a cover album. And to tell you the truth, by the end of the tour last year, I felt I was in a cover band.

"So this time around, we wanted to make a new album with new songs. And let me tell you, it was refreshing, although by the end of the sessions, I did want to jump off a bridge."

The reason for the suicidal thoughts was the fact that the band doesn't want to release mediocre recordings.

"We have a tendency to put a lot of pressure on ourselves," Roberts said. "We have been doing this a long time, and, sure, we have made some mistakes, but we do try to make the best album we can when we're making it.

"That's the reason we're not releasing the new album until later this year. While the recordings basically finished, we didn't want to rush it out. So after this tour in May, we're going to go back and do some touch ups on it. And by then we'll know when the actual release date will be."

Preparing for a tour is a lot like preparing to make an album, Roberts said, "except for the fact that I don't really have to make sure I have a change of underwear when I go to the studio.

"There is a lot of preparation time," he said. "And you have to make sure the songs you play on the road are up to the best they can be.