Singer Songwriter Stephen Fearing Performs at Arts Barn (Video)

The Singer Songwriter Concert Series presented by O’Hair Salon + Spa brings Canadian folk singer Stephen Fearing to the Arts Barn with local musician Eli Staples. Join Fearing at 3 p.m. on Nov. 21 for a discussion of his music at the Kentlands Mansion and then at 7:30 p.m. for the concert at the Arts Barn.

Multiple JUNO Award-winning Blackie and the Rodeo Kings member Stephen Fearing returns with his first solo album in seven years, the highly anticipated Between Hurricanes. The follow-up to 2006’s acclaimed Yellowjacket, the album was co-produced by Fearing and John Whynot at The Woodshed Studio in Toronto, ON. Born out of several life-changing events, Between Hurricanes is both the document and result of many significant changes for Fearing.

“In 2006, I released Yellowjacket. Though I didn’t know it at the time, it marked the end of many things and the beginning of so many more,” says Fearing. “My marriage of 14 years ended shortly after the record came out. Hard on the heels of this devastation, True North Records – my home on record for over a decade – changed hands. I was still under contract to them, but it quickly became apparent that it was time for me to move on. Around the same time, my dear friend and manager Bernie Finkelstein started to make noises about cutting back on his workload. Bernie and I had been together through thick and thin for over 16 years, but I realized that it was time to let go of the old ties and step out into the brave new world of true independence.”

In 2008, Fearing moved from his home in Guelph, ON and headed to Halifax, NS. He completed work on both Blackie and The Rodeo Kings’ Polaris Prize nominated Kings and Queens, which featured duets with 14 iconic female singers including Lucinda Williams, Emmylou Harris and Roseanne Cash, and his album with Belfast’s Andy White, Fearing & White. He also remarried, became a father and still managed to tour relentlessly. Life moved quickly, and it wasn’t long before there had been a significant amount of time since the release of Yellowjacket. As new songs began to emerge, plans were finally made to return to the studio. Between Hurricanes’ eleven tracks were shaped with the idea of crafting a solo record while not employing a traditional ‘folk’ approach to the music. Fearing and Whynot put their focus on the fundamentals of the songs while subtly adding space and a mood that surrounds them. The minimal arrangements range from the finely honed piano, bass and drum accents on “As The Crow Flies” to the ethereal synths on “Cold Dawn.”

Between Hurricanes is Stephen Fearing’s eighth solo album. Over the course of his celebrated career he has collaborated with a long list of artists, including Shawn Colvin, Richard Thompson, Sarah McLachlan, Tom Wilson, Colin Linden, and Margo Timmins. Recently, he produced Happy Here, the latest JUNO-nominated album from Suzie Vinnick.

Video of Stephen Fearing discussing and recording his Between Hurricanes album

Tickets for the workshop and concert can be purchased by calling 301.258.6394 or at the door. Admission for each concert is $23 for city of Gaithersburg residents/ $25 for non-residents. Admission for each concert and workshop combined is $43 for city of Gaithersburg residents/ $45 for non-residents. Attendees are invited to come early and enjoy the Arts Barn Patrons Lounge. Open one hour before each concert, the lounge offers bistro seating, mood-setting music and refreshments, including beer and wine.

The Singer Songwriter Series includes six concerts and workshops this year. For more information on the whole series please visit “Singer Songwriter Concert Series Returns to Arts Barn” post.