Been up and down this highway, a thousand times today
We’ve said it all twice, got a thousand more things to say
The first cut on The Shiners’ new CD is called Head On and it uses the analogy of a road trip to describe a relationship. It’s a song of pain and hurt, but with a glimmer of hope in discovery.
It is a great way to describe The Shiners’ relationship with Ottawa, as the band has been playing the thin strip of highway that connects Cornwall and Ottawa for a while now, trying to make an inroad to Ottawa’s music scene. The band is hoping to make it a longer road trip with a CD Release Party at the Elmdale House Tavern on Friday May 4th.
“We have been playing more and more in Ottawa”, says Eric Willison, lead singer of the roots-rock group that includes drummer Jason Collis and bassist Joel Labrosse. “As much as we are from the Seaway Valley, we have great fans from Ottawa and the Ottawa Valley - we wanted to celebrate the new CD with them as well.”
The band has shows booked over the next few months in support of their new disc, entitled Not Alone. The new record picks up where the band’s first CD Happy Now left off, a collection of songs with great hooks, lyrics that touch on everyday life – all delivered by Willison’s whiskey-soaked voice.
“We took a more focused approach to this one,” says Willison. “Many of the songs were written around stories we heard from family and friends, and it gave a more personal core to the record. From life in a mining town to reality TV to the strengths and weaknesses of relationships – there’s a lot to learn here.”
The Shiners will be joined at the Elmdale by special guests Graham Greer (formerly of the Barstool Prophets) from Cornwall and Ottawa alt-folk duo medium-fi (Mike Grier and Steve Johnston).
“We have shared a lot of stages with Graham – and it’s great to have him with us for this special show,” says Willison. “I played in a band called the Hooblers with Mike Grier and his writing style has certainly influenced my songs.”
The Shiners round out their live set up with Newfoundland-born, and Ottawa-based, Greg T. Brown on fiddle. Brown’s talents can also be heard on the new CD.
The show starts at 8pm at the Elmdale House Tavern at 1084 Wellington Street West. Cover charge is $6.
About The Shiners
With Americana and Canadiana at the heart of their music, The Shiners enjoy the influence of East Coast and classic country. Not Alone brings back Glengarry famed Ashley MacLeod on fiddle and cello, and adds Newfoundland born Greg T. Brown on fiddle and accordion. Both reinforce the roots-rock mosaic that defines The Shiners’ sound. Compared with the likes of Steve Earle and Blue Rodeo, and drawing on groups like the Band and the Cardinals, The Shiners’ bassist Joel Labrosse adds “right now, this is exactly where we want to be.”
The Shiners will be featured on CTV Ottawa Morning Live on May 3rd. You can preview the new CD at Compact Music, CD Warehouse, Record Centre, Smoke Signals and Vertigo Records in Ottawa, or on iTunes.
The band is on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TheShiners and on Twitter at @TheShiners
More info can be found at www.TheShiners.com
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