Wherever they appear, Leslie Alexander and John Ellis offer a concert experience that moves from pin-drop intimacy to flat-out folk rock’n roll, taking audiences on a journey from the open prairie, to the streets of Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside and into the heart of their very own Ashcroft Garden in the Stones.

Gearing up for a series of summer of shows across B.C.’s Lower Mainland, the pair is writing and recording material for their fourth self-produced CD release, tentatively entitled Now.

A collection of songs about community, environment and the ties that bind, these recordings follow Alexander’s journey from Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside to the small town of Ashcroft, where she and Ellis have recently installed a state-of-the-art recording studio and artist’s retreat on their sprawling new half-acre garden property.

The sunny, upbeat title track from Alexander’s current disc, Garden in the Stones, was recently chosen to appear alongside tunes from Bruce Springsteen, the Barenaked Ladies and Colin James on the new Odd Squad and Company compilation CD to raise money for Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside.

Featuring four tracks that advanced to the finals of the International Song Contest and Billboard’s Song of the Year contest, Garden includes g

uest performances from Issa (a.k.a. Jane Siberry) and Barney Bentall and was released to glowing reviews and strong radio support across Canada.

Nominated for Producer of the Year by the CCMA and BCCMA for his work on Ridley Bent’s Buckles and Boots, Ellis has also been busy producing for such artists as Issa, Barney and Dustin Bentall and Leeroy Stagger.

Alexander plays Music in the Park on Sunday at the Rotary Bandshell. Show starts at 7 p.m. and admission is free.