Alt-country and roots fans know BJ Barham as the enigmatic frontman for the beloved band American Aquarium. But Barham has lately been exploring deeper waters with his just-released solo album, Rockingham, containing a series of mostly fictional tales inspired by a true-life incident. Barham will bring those songs to Nashville as he plays City Winery on Wednesday night, Aug. 31, at 8 p.m.

The incident that triggered Rockingham comes from recent world headlines. Barham and American Aquarium were touring overseas in Belgium in November of 2015 when the Paris terrorist attacks occurred. The horrific experience, happening at such distance from his North Carolina home, put Barham into a reflective mode. He began constructing stories of people he’d known who’d had an impact on his life. The result was Rockingham, released Aug. 19 and already an iTunes climber.

Barham’s solo debut project marks a slight departure from his work with American Aquarium.

“This is the first record I’ve ever made that’s not autobiographical,” Barham explains. “It’s fictional narrative in a very real place. These songs are human-condition stories set in my hometown, Reidsville.” The album is also a mostly acoustic, stripped-down work.

Among the selections Barham will surely bring to City Winery are “American Tobacco Company,” dealing with the everyday struggles of the blue-collar laborer, the heartbreaking “Unfortunate Kind” and the title track. Barham assembled a new band for the album, featuring American Aquarium mainstays Whit Wright on pedal steel and keys and Ryan Johnson on guitar. The band will be backing Barham on the City Winery show.

For tickets and more information, go to citywinery.com/nashville.