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FYI

Adrian Sutherland: Magic Hits

Plaintive yet robust vocals and a full production sound impress on this rootsy cut.

Adrian Sutherland: Magic Hits

By Kerry Doole

Adrian Sutherland - Magic Hits (Independent): Previously known for his work as leader of Northern Ontario Indigenous roots-rock band Midnight Shine, singer/songwriter/Indigenous advocate Adrian Sutherland has now gone solo. Earlier singles, especially Politician Man, were well-received, and his debut solo album, When the Magic Hits, came out on Sept. 17.


It has already made a splash, via CBC coverage and placements on major Spotify, Amazon, and Apple Music playlists, and the (near) title track has just come out as a single. It was co-written by Sutherland and previous collaborators Chris & Matt Gormley (The Trews, Daylight for Deadeyes), and is one of seven album cuts produced, engineered and mixed by Grammy-winning roots veteran Colin Linden.

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Sutherland's vocals are plaintive yet robust, and a full production sound incorporates organ, Linden's typically fluent guitar, and backing vocals. The cut's feel suggests The Band, and we sense it has airplay potential.

Describing the album in a press release, Sutherland notes that "the record is about deeper meaning for me. These songs allowed me to explore some personal stuff I've never been able to on past albums. Some of the themes are sensitive but it was important for me to write about them, like fighting through losses and traumas, and learning to appreciate everything I have today, because it hasn't always been clear to me.”

“The songs are emotional, and powerful for me to listen to now. They move me in ways like nothing else I have written. The talent who came together to help me make this album – from the producers to the musicians, to the songwriters who collaborated with me – their passion shines through in every song. I absolutely love this album and hold it close to my heart.”

A talent-heavy list of album credits includes co-writers Tim Vesely (Rheostatics), Colin Cripps (Blue Rodeo), Jay Semko (The Northern Pikes), Scott Dibble (Hemingway Corner), and Serena Ryder. Guest players include Janice Powers, Jerry Roe, Gary Craig, John Dymond, Cripps, and Chris Carmichael, while Vesely produced, engineered and mixed two album tracks.

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Of note: Sutherland is presently writing his first book for Penguin Random House Canada about growing up in Attawapiskat – a remote and sometimes troubled community he still chooses to call home.
 

Links

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Publicity: Beth Cavanagh, What's The Story

Management: RoseAnna Schick, RAS Creative

Booking agent:  Nicole Rochefort, AIM: Artists In Motion

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Not By Choice on MuchOnDemand on MuchMusic in 2002.
Courtesy Photo

Not By Choice on MuchOnDemand on MuchMusic in 2002.

FYI

Obituary: Mike Bilcox of Ajax, Ontario Pop-Punk Band Not By Choice

Former drummer and now head of Round One Sports & Entertainment Liam Killeen pens this tribute to his former bandmate, with words from The Feldman Agency's Jeff Craib, Sum 41's Dave Baksh, Simple Plan's Chuck Comeau and more.

Mike Bilcox, lead singer and guitarist of Ajax, Ontario’s second most famous pop-punk band, Not By Choice, passed away on June 21, at age 48.

Mike started Not By Choice with his Ajax High School friend Glenn ‘Chico’ Dunning back in 1997. They had initially played a few shows under different names that may or may not be suitable for print, but our moniker came from Mike bothering his younger sister Chrissy at the dinner table. When she couldn’t take any more of his taunting, she promptly told her Mom, Pat, that he was annoying her – Pat yelled ‘Well, he’s your brother!’ to which Chrissy quickly replied ‘Yeah, not by choice!’. With that, a real band was born.

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