In the latest episode of Biff Bam Pop! Presents… I had the chance to talk to the one and only Rik Emmett, singer/songwriter/guitarist for the legendary Canadian band Triumph, who hit the road for the first time in decades for their Rock and Roll Machine Reloaded Tour.
While we touch on the tour and Rik’s relationship with Bon Jovi guitarist Phil X, who will be part of the band for this outing, the focus of our chat is on Leaning Into It, Rik’s second book of poetry, which is due out on April 7 from ECW Press.
You can watch our interview below or listen to it wherever you get your podcasts.
About Leaning Into It: Rik Emmett’s second collection originated during the dark limbo of COVID-19: 2021–22. Five parts go from autofictional narration to observations on the modern world, moving inside out, then outside in. Eventually, Leaning Into It looks beyond.
Leaning Into … what? The prevailing chaos of narcissistic, egotistical, patrimonial power-mongering lends these poems renewed vitality, as the author’s frustration and disappointment with current undemocratic global politics play out.
How much leaning gets us a tiny bit closer to wisdom? Emmett favours the balatrones, jesters, fools, poets, comedians, and atheists in his social media feeds. “Power” ignores the balanced values of a sense of humour and a good-natured humility — but this poetry takes on the world as it is, ultimately leaning into hope.
