Midnight Shine making showcase debut.
Attawapiskat, ON (April 18, 2016) — Northern Ontario rockers Midnight Shine are heading to Canadian Music Week in Toronto for their very first showcase… or two…
The band will play twice as part of the Canadian Music Week festival – first at a general festival showcase, and second as part of the United Talent Agency featured showcase:
Thursday May 5 @ 10:00pm
Boots & Bourbon Saloon
Canadian Music Week showcase
Saturday May 7 @ 9:00pm
The Horseshoe Tavern
United Talent Agency showcase
Midnight Shine will also appear on national television during Canadian Music Week, with a live performance and interview on Canada AM being scheduled for May 5 (time TBC).
Midnight Shine frontman Adrian Sutherland is pleased to be heading to Toronto: “Being selected for Canadian Music Week and our first showcase is very exciting. It will be our first conference, too, so we’re excited for the opportunity to learn and network.”
“It will also be great just having time together in Toronto. All four of us live in different places in Northern Ontario, so we appreciate any time we can spend rehearsing and performing, and songwriting together.”
ABOUT MIDNIGHT SHINE
Not many bands play their very first show opening for legendary Canadian rockers. Then again, not many bands are quite like Midnight Shine. Hailing from the James Bay region of Northern Ontario, Midnight Shine is turning heads with a sound that seamlessly mixes roots, classic and modern rock.
When Trooper invited singer/songwriter Adrian Sutherland to open their Timmins concert in 2011, there was one condition: that he performs with a band. So Sutherland pulled together Zach Tomatuk (guitar), Stan Louttit (bass), and George Gillies (drums) – a winning combination of energy and experience, resulting in an impressive and compelling sonic identity.
Since that chance beginning, the Northern Ontario foursome has become a unit. They’ve been developing a radio-friendly rock style anchored by captivating vocals and honest lyrics, all tied together with a solid sense of melody. They’ve also been gathering an impressive support team, including agent Ralph James of United Talent Agency in Toronto, and manager/publicist RoseAnna Schick of Winnipeg’s RAS Creative.
MIDNIGHT SHINE’S MUSIC
Midnight Shine’s refreshing rock sound was first captured on Midnight Shine, their 2013 debut album. Outstanding first single Since You Been Gone was picked up by rock stations across Canada. CBC Radio programmed it for their rock channel, and the National Aboriginal Music Countdown saw it climb to #2 on the Top 40 chart. Renowned music journalist Alan Cross selected it as one of his favourite new tracks, citing the band’s “rootsy rock-pop” style.
In 2014, Midnight Shine released sophomore album Northern Man. The title track is a tribute to the band’s northern home and Cree culture, driven by a catchy rock beat, heavy bass, and traces of pow wow stylings. The first single, Over You, was introduced to a live TV audience on Canada AM.
Listen to Over You here:
http://midnightshine.bandcamp.com/track/over-you
Listen to Since You Been Gone here:
http://midnightshine.bandcamp.com/track/since-you-been-gone
Listen to Northern Man here:
http://midnightshine.bandcamp.com/track/northern-man
Setting Midnight Shine apart from other rock bands is the depth of Sutherland’s lyrical exploration of his First Nations’ culture. He hails from the remote community of Attawapiskat, and his experiences are reflected in his songs – making them all the more meaningful.
“Some of the music is about who I am and where I come from. I’ve always wanted to share some of my background and beliefs through music. Everybody has a story and I think it’s important for First Nations people to shed positive light on our culture and values.”
While Sutherland’s home has been the subject of a flood of negative media attention recently, he for one would like to change those perceptions: “There are good stories to be told from Attawapiskat. I hope we’re one of them.”
Indeed they are. In fact, the name Midnight Shine is highly appropriate, given that the band and their music shine a bright and positive light on places often depicted as dark and troubled.
They’re a “must-hear” band you’ll take a real shine to.
CONTACTS FOR MIDNIGHT SHINE
FOR BUSINESS & PUBLICITY:
RoseAnna Schick, RAS Creative
rascreative@yahoo.ca
204-783-7600
FOR BOOKINGS:
Ralph James, United Talent Agency
Ralph.james@unitedtalent.com
416-368-5599 ext. 3223
