Yet another talented musician to emerge from the Victoria, B.C. scene (whatever they're being fed, I'll take a year's supply), singer-songwriter Leeroy Stagger has garnered a fair bit of acclaim and a loyal fan base for his brand of pop-tinged, country-styled rock. Through the magic of the interweb, Sef was able to submit Leeroy to an intense Q&A session, with the following results.

You're in the midst of a pretty rigorous U.K. tour'¦how's that working out?
Well pretty good, it's super cold and the food is interesting to say the least. I went bowling today at this town called Grimsby. It's kinda like a British Atlantic city.

HOW HAS THE VICTORIA MUSIC SCENE INFLUENCED YOUR MUSIC?
I don't think it has that much, everyone is pretty diverse and does their own thing. I don't go out much these days unless it's with my band or whatever.

Before going the singer/songwriter route, you were part of a number of local punk bands. What was the impetus for such a drastic shift?
I just needed a change and I was feeling like the punk scene was fucking terrible at that point. I still consider myself a punk, doing what I do is pretty punk. Being a good human being is punk.

Danny Michel produced your new album. Did that have a significant effect on your sound?
Not really. It's my sound but the record definitely has a lot of Danny's pop-ness, for sure. The next one will be quite different than Beautiful House.

The 'œalt-country'? moniker's been bestowed on your music. Is that a blessing or curse?
A blessing, for sure. I love alt-country. I am definitely not afraid of other genres, though. Rock '˜n roll, folk, southern rock, bluegrass and even White Zombie are all influences.

Those Ryan Adams comparisons, do they bother you at all? (He's apparently a bit of a twit'¦)
Naw, his music is fucking brilliant and that's what I dig about him. We do look very similar, though. His Gold record is what made me want to do this. I would constantly listen to it over and over'”It'd drive my ex up the wall.