Catherine Allan and Andrew O’Brien know a lot about what it takes to make a good partnership. Their debut album, The Bliss was nominated for a JUNO Award, garnered two #1 singles on CBC Radio 2’s Top 20, won the 2016 “Rising Star” ECMA, the 2015 “Vocal Group” Canadian Folk Music Award, and four 2015 Music Newfoundland and Labrador Awards.
Over the last five years they have played over 300 shows together and have even garnered the attention of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau when he singled out a track from their 2016 Christmas EP All Will Be Well, as one of his favourite listens for the holidays.
Newfoundland duo Fortunate Ones’ second album Hold Fast is a study in resilience and partnership. With the whirlwind that has been the band’s first 5 years it seems apt that the first track on this record, “Northern Star” calls on listeners to reflect, stay strong, and move forward.
The song ‘Steady As She Goes’ is dedicated to all those affected by the Fort McMurray wildfire of 2016, especially the first responders. Inspired by a true story, it speaks to how one person relies on another in the face of loss and insurmountable challenge.
Fortunate Ones were supported by a remarkable array of collaborators on Hold Fast, including songwriters Alan Doyle (Great Big Sea), Tim Baker (Hey Rosetta!), and Meg Warren (Repartee). Musically, the cast here includes Jim Bryson, Good Lovelies, Alexa Dirks (Begonia), Kinley Dowling (Hey Rosetta!), and the multi-talented Daniel Ledwell who produced the album at his studio in Lake Echo, Nova Scotia. This collective effort has yielded songs from a band whose humility and quiet dignity belies a roaring artistic heart, which has been captured beautifully on Hold Fast.
Opening: SHERMAN DOWNEY
Sherman Downey’s radio-friendly brand of upbeat folk/pop appeals to a wide demographic. His debut album "Honey For Bees” was well received by fans and critics alike, earning him ‘Musicnl’s Male Artist of the Year’ and broadening his reach on an international stage.
His highly anticipated second release "The Sun In Your Eyes" was awarded ‘MusicNL's Pop/Rock Recording of the Year' and given Newfoundland and Labrador's 'SOCAN Songwriter of the Year' distinction as well as an ECMA nomination for ‘Group Recording of the Year’ with his band, The Ambiguous Case. The album's first single 'Thick as Thieves” went on to win Sherman the CBC's inaugural Searchlight Prize as ‘Canada's Best New Artist’ while increasing his profile as a touring act with a growing fan base.
Sherman’s latest collection of songs, entitled ‘New Beautiful’, offers a glimpse at what it’s like to wander from home and long for return. Fans of his first two albums will be happy to hear familiar character-driven songs that embrace the folk and country roots he cut his teeth on, but will no doubt notice a new musical exploration. Sherman speaks to those of us who yearn for some sort of change in their day to day. ‘New Beautiful’ will be available soon.
Friday, November 8th 2019
8pm (doors open at 7pm)
Mel Lehan Hall at St. James - 3214 West 10th Avenue
Tickets for $24 / $20 members
Available online at www.roguefolk.com in person at Highlife & Tapestry
or call the Rogue Ticket Hotline at 604-736-3022
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