advertisement
FYI

Five Questions With ... Midnight Shine's Adrian Sutherland

The Indigenous roots-rock band from Attawapiskat is releasing an expanded version of its debut album, James Bay. Its leader explains why here and discusses the relevance of its material, his songwriting, and the challenges faced by his community.

Five Questions With ... Midnight Shine's Adrian Sutherland

By Jason Schneider

Midnight Shine’s new release brings the roots-rockers full circle. Right back to where they started, in fact.


It was 2013 when Adrian Sutherland from the Cree community of Attawapiskat released his debut album with newly formed band Midnight Shine. This collection of songs written by Sutherland provided the foundation needed to start pursuing his musical dream from the Far North. Now, these songs are returning to the forefront once more, in a fully remastered version of Midnight Shine’s debut album James Bay to be released June 30 on Sutherland’s own label Midnight Shine Music.

The new edition of James Bay will feature the stunning artwork of its namesake region and a special greeting by Adrian in his Mushkegowuk Cree language. In addition, the album includes two bonus tracks: a brand new radio edit of debut single Since You Been Gone and the previously unreleased Misguided Woman, one of the first songs Sutherland ever wrote.

advertisement

This reissue is just a part of Sutherland’s current busy schedule. He was a featured performer on CBC/APTN’s broadcast of the 2020 Indspire Awards (taped pre-pandemic), and the video for his 2019 solo single Politician Man recently earned a Golden Sheaf Award at the Yorkton Film Festival.

We spoke with Adrian Sutherland about all of this activity and other topics. You can find out more at midnightshineonline.com.

What made this the right time to reissue your debut album James Bay?

We’ve wanted to release the remastered album for quite some time now, and since the pandemic started it’s allowed us to focus on doing that. It was great to be able to share the radio version of Since You Been Gone, as well as Misguided Woman, which is still one of my favourites to this day. We had new artwork created that features the James Bay region, along with lyric videos, and will be rolling it all out starting at the end of June.

advertisement

Did revisiting the album give you a new perspective on your songwriting? 

I really enjoyed revisiting the album because it allowed me to think about what those songs meant. Reading through the lyrics did give some new perspective on songwriting in a way that reminded me that as an artist, you always have to be open and willing to learn and improve your craft.

Are there any songs on James Bay that might be more relevant today than in 2013?

Save My Life might be one. When I was younger, I had a drinking problem. It got so out of control that at times I felt like I was dying or going to die eventually if I didn’t get help. So I managed to get cleaned up before things got too bad and never looked back. This song is about that time in my life.

Your solo single Politician Man has been getting more attention lately as well due to its message about the government’s lack of response to conditions in Attawapiskat. What needs to happen for real change to occur there?

advertisement

People in power—our political leaders and community leaders—need to get real and stop pointing fingers at one another. Blaming doesn’t solve anything. We need action.

It’s unfortunate that James Bay is being released in the midst of the pandemic. What are your plans for when things start getting back to normal?

It’s certainly very challenging times right now with all the restrictions put on us, especially those of us who live here in the North. Right now we’re not being allowed to leave the community at all, and for who knows how long. I hope to travel south again once things get better, and spend some time in the studio. I do have some live streaming events coming up throughout the summer, so I’ll be performing that way for a while.

advertisement

advertisement
An archival photo of Gary Topp (right) with Sting & The Police and his former promotion partner Gary Cormier (left).
Fordham PR

An archival photo of Gary Topp (right) with Sting & The Police and his former promotion partner Gary Cormier (left).

FYI

Music News Digest: Legendary Toronto Promoter Gary Topp Celebrated In New Book 'He Hijacked My Brain'

This week: Canadian festival submission dates, Jesse Greene wins The Amy Louie Grossman`s Music Scholarship, singer-songwriter Dave Gunning fights food insecurity in schools in Nova Scotia.

Awards News

On Nov. 26, The Amy Louie Grossman`s Music Scholarship fundraiser and presentation took place at Grossman's Tavern in Toronto. Jesse Greene took home the $2000 bursary for blues musicians, and Jay Bleus was handed the runner up prize of $1000. The 2022 winners Five And Ten presented ALGMS matriarch Christina Louie with a framed cover of the recording they were able to produce with their scholarship assistance.

The Downchild Blues Band, Danny Marks, The Happy Pals, Frankie Foo and Jesse Greene performed at the fundraiser, Dan McKinnon handled the MC and stage manager duties and Kiddie Car Music (Kid Carson) donated the backline. Donations at the fund raiser added $2165.00 to the ALGMS fund.

keep readingShow less
advertisement