advertisement
FYI

Stephen Fearing: Someone Else's Shoes

The veteran folk/roots songsmith teases his 13th solo album with a gentle tune that is a timely plea for empathy in this divisive era.

Stephen Fearing: Someone Else's Shoes

By Kerry Doole

Stephen Fearing - Someone Else's Shoes (Fearing and Loathing): Now in the fourth decade of his career, the highly-respected and prolific folk/roots songsmith releases his 13th solo album, The Unconquerable Past, on Nov. 15. His discography also includes the records he has made as a member of super trio Blackie and The Rodeo Kings and duo offerings with Andy White.


A press release notes that the new full-length "finds Fearing stepping back into the wide-screen world of layered instruments and arrangements in collaboration with Winnipeg-based producer/songwriter Scott Nolan (William Prince, Mary Gauthier, Hayes Carll)," and that's a partnership that certainly heightens anticipation. 

advertisement

This focus track is a gentle tune that is a timely plea for empathy in this divisive era - "no-one is an island - walk in someone else's shoes." The song is delivered via Fearing's warm voice and resonant guitar work (like his comrade Bruce Cockburn, that skill is oft-overlooked). We are keen to hear more.

Links

Publicity: Jason Schneider

advertisement
Executive of the Week: Justin West of Secret City Records on the Secrets of Independent Music Success​
FYI

Executive of the Week: Justin West of Secret City Records on the Secrets of Independent Music Success​

The man behind one of Canada's most successful indie labels talks about the late-blooming success of French-language streaming record-holder Patrick Watson, why he builds long-term relationships with artists, and why it's important for the indie sector to work together.

Justin West is a leader and advocate in Canada’s independent music scene, but he didn’t plan it out that way. When he started his record label Secret City Records in Montreal in the mid-2000s, it was out of necessity. He had met an artist he loved and wanted to build a career with, and the label was a means to do it. That artist was Patrick Watson, and 20 years later he — and Secret City — are more successful than ever.

West — a multiple time Billboard Canada Power Player – leads one of the biggest indie labels in Canada while also advocating for the sector on multiple boards both locally and internationally. When we speak to him for this Executive of the Week interview, he’s just returned from Banff for the National Summit on Artificial Intelligence and Culture, and is a central figure in discussions around the Online Streaming Act and collective negotiations with online streaming platforms.

keep readingShow less
advertisement