Ruth Purves Smith and the 581 are promising a rollicking country rock party, releasing their amazing debut album, Out In The Storm, to a waiting fan base and new fans alike. They will play at the Snoring Sasquatch on July 31.

Smith grew up rambling the Prairie highways between her cultured mother's urban home and her father and stepmother's antique woollen mill rural home, and the paradox is evident in her sound and style. While the stories may appear to be simple, traditional country, they are supported by a sound that pulls influence from the city — complicated, restless and sometimes loud.

Grouping together with the 581, Smith recorded her debut solo album, Out In The Storm, after years with various bands in and around Alberta. It's one of those long-time-coming albums and to all who hear it, it is well timed yet way overdue.

Built on a foundation of driving, electric country rock, laced with banjo, harmonica and acoustic guitar, Smith constructs spine tingling imagery and emotion with her lyrics, and the entire package takes you through the gamut of emotions. From the heart-wrenching acoustic-turned-rock Godzilla to the summertime feel of Ride Around and the steady beats of Out In The Storm Part I, the songs engage listeners from start to finish.

Recorded at Glow Music Arts in Calgary, Alta., and produced by Craig Newnes, Out In The Storm is a dynamic and enthralling album and Smith and the 581 are proud to show the world.

Smith’s musical career is vast and diverse. Starting off from answering an ad for a “girl country singer” for Frank James, a slightly nuts one-man band, Smith moved to band incarnations Rodeo-A-Go-Go and Roadside Turnout, highlighted by a performance at the Calgary Folk Music Festival, before taking time to raise her young child. By 1996, after the birth of her second child, Smith was ready to strike out on her own musically, and began performing solo at various clubs, events and festivals among such well knowns as Fred Eaglesmith, Jann Arden, the Fates and Willie P. Bennett.

Over the years, she has continued to play her own music, loving the writing process and not always playing other people's music anymore, though she still loves to join in on a jam and belt out a few covers or traditional numbers. Loving the rural Alberta life, Smith is a true symbol of Canadiana country music.

The doors will be opening at 6:30 p.m. for this Saturday evening concert. Jackie Gingras-Coe will kick the performance off at 7:30 followed by Smith’s show at 8. Tickets are $10 in advance at Kingfisher Used Books, and $12 at the door.