Ryan McAllister is one of the Fraser Valley鈥檚 few bona fide rock stars. The former Dakona frontman has recorded at some of the world鈥檚 most impressive studios and played stages across North America after landing a fairytale record deal with Madonna鈥檚 now-dissolved label, Maverick Records.

Today, however, he runs a recording studio a few steps from his house in a sleepy corner of the Valley 鈥� and there is nowhere he would rather be.

On April 30 he鈥檒l release his first full-length solo album 鈥� the aptly titled Music for a Rainy Town 鈥� with a special event at West Abbotsford鈥檚 Jubilee Hall, followed up by a show at the Roxy in Vancouver on May 4.

In the 10 years since Dakona鈥檚 heyday, McAllister has seen every side of the music industry.

鈥淚t鈥檚 been quite the ride,鈥� he says. 鈥淲e went from having a bidding war for our album to slowly watching our record label fall apart in the middle of our tour.

鈥淭he one smart thing we did with our big record label advance was build a recording studio in Abbotsford. That turned into my accidental occupation.鈥�

As the owner and operator of Room and Board Studios, McAllister has taught himself the art of producing and recording, and has written plenty of music along the way. But it wasn鈥檛 until he received a push from former Dakona guitarist, Brook Winstanley, that he set out to record his own solo tracks.

The result is a rich, diverse record that covers the genre gamut between pop, old time gospel and straight up rock and roll. The 12 tracks reflect a seasoned maturity that offers insight to McAllister鈥檚 personal evolution in the decade since Dakona.

鈥淲hen you鈥檙e a 20-something musician who sees what鈥檚 working in the industry, you try to emulate that. It鈥檚 how you develop your craft,鈥� he says. 鈥淣ow it doesn鈥檛 feel like I鈥檓 trying to fit my music into a mold. I鈥檓 at a stage in my life when I鈥檝e realized all the people I鈥檓 not. I鈥檓 a happy guy 鈥� I鈥檓 married with little kids. Now I鈥檓 writing about my securities instead of my insecurities.鈥�

Music for a Rainy Town is a deliberate move away from the big distorted rock chords and dramatic themes that defined McAllister鈥檚 youth. But he hasn鈥檛 thrown off all the trademarks Dakona fans loved, like lyrics steeped in imagery and that made-for-rock voice that can transition between a honeyed croon and anthemic wail from one track to the next.

The tunes are familiar and warm, and they are 100 per cent McAllister.

鈥淭his album is the closest I鈥檝e been to having no regrets,鈥� he says. 鈥淚t has my stamp all over it.鈥�

Written in Africa, Texas, Hawaii, California and Toronto, the songs are a musical travel journal, but they are deeply rooted on the West Coast鈥攁s the title track suggests.

鈥淚t鈥檚 one of my favourite moments, when I鈥檓 in the studio and it鈥檚 dumping rain outside,鈥� he says. 鈥淚 have to pinch myself to realize that this is my job right now.鈥�

McAllister credits that West Coast rain for keeping so many Vancouver artists inside making music. He drew from that vast pool of local talent throughout recording: 鈥淭hey fill the canvas of music with all these colours I would never have thought of.鈥�

Even fresh off performing at the venerated South by Southwest Music Festival in Austin, Texas, McAllister says he wouldn鈥檛 want to make music anywhere else.

鈥淚鈥檝e recorded in huge studios and worked with artists from all over the U.S., but I would never take for granted the talent and camaraderie we have right here in the Valley. Where I鈥檓 at now is exactly where I鈥檓 supposed to be.鈥�

McAllister will play a series of shows in B.C. and Alberta following the April 30 release of Music for a Rainy Town, including a performance at Canada Place on Canada Day. Visit www.ryanmcallister.com for details.

Catch Ryan McAllister with special guest Daniel Huscroft on April 30 at Jubilee Hall, 7999 Bradner Rd., Abbotsford. Doors at 7 p.m. Advance tickets, $12 at www.ryanmcallister.com

Ryan performs with his band, Cowboys & Indians, on May 4, 8 p.m. at the Roxy, 932 Granville Street, Vancouver.