Politics, personal loss helped shape country artist’s music

By Lethbridge Herald on November 29, 2025.

Alejandra Pulido-Guzman
Lethbridge Herald

Saskatchewan based songwriter, producer, and label founder, Blake Berglund is coming to Lethbridge Dec. 6 along with Lachlan Neville, whom he has mentored and guided through his debut album, as part of their “Trouble with the Truth” tour. 

Known for his independent approach to country music, Berglund has built a career rooted in authenticity, which have earned him recognition from the Western Canadian Music Awards, Saskatchewan Music Awards, and Saskatchewan Country Music Association.

In 2020, Berglund found himself the unlikely target of political recruiters and he turned the experience inward, writing a collection of 20 songs that blurred genres and unified ideologies – part political commentary, part rural memoir that he named “What’s Left of the Right.”

“My life has been consumed by the act of creating and developing myself as a musician. I’ve put out six studio albums, with the most recent studio album ‘What’s Left of the Right’ set for release in 2024,” said Berglund. 

Unfortunately, that release was delayed due to a tragic loss. Berglund lost his father unexpectedly following an accident while alone on the family farm just days after his 71st birthday. 

“He was my compass; the whole record was built around our talks. Where we saw eye to eye and the tension in getting there. Losing him changed everything.”

He said the loss forced him to reassess, sit back with whatever he was doing and why he was doing it. 

“I didn’t want to promote a record, I just wanted to farm. That felt more honest than chasing airplay,” said Berglund. 

He said he still went forward with releasing the album, but instead of hitting the road and play all the shows, he chose to return to the farm to grow crops with his brother and sister. 

Weeks after the funeral, Berglund met Neville, an aspiring 18-year-old songwriter from a neighbouring town and they connected over literature, song writing, and the dignity of rural life.

“Any money set aside for the promotion of ‘What’s Left of the Right’ went all-in on Neville’s development, including the production of his debut album and the infrastructure to release it into the world,” said Berglund.

He said by June this year, he felt it was the right time to take his new album on tour and since he had been working with Neville on his debut album, now that it has been released, he will be joining him on tour. 

Berglund said “What’s Left of the Right” became his most ambitious project yet, a 75-minute, 20-song double album recorded and produced under the banner of Western Seer Records, the label he co-founded with his wife and creative partner, Melanie Berglund, also known as Belle Plaine.

“My show is heavily based in storytelling. I have played in Lethbridge before, but it’s been six to seven years since I played there. I have a lot of family and friends in that area, so I am really excited to get back and kind of pick up pick up where I left off,” said Berglund. 

Berglund will be playing at The Owl Acoustic Lounge on Dec. 6 at 9 p.m.