Adrian Sutherland is not just a musician; he is a storyteller, a cultural ambassador, and a thoughtful artist full of hope and resilience. His journey from the remote territory of Attawapiskat to the world stage shows again the power of music to transcend boundaries and bring people together.
Ottawa audiences will get the chance to see Adrian Sutherland when he performs at Red Bird Live on Thursday, July 18, from 8:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. — a rare trip “down south” from his northern home. Tickets for the intimate solo performance featuring songs from his new album can be purchased via redbirdlive.ca.
The performance will include songs in his native language as well as English. Sutherland says that his Cree heritage and deep roots in his ancestral land are a source of great pride. “I’m proud of who I am, and I love to share my stories and experiences about my life in the North.”
His sophomore album, Precious Diamonds, released on March 15, 2024, captures his unique style and musical journey. Produced in Nashville by Colin Linden and mastered in New Jersey by the multi-Grammy-winning team of Greg Calbi and Steve Fallone, the album features legendary guest artists such as Mickey Raphael on harmonica and Jim Hoke on saxophones.
Two songs on the album are written in Omushkegowuk Cree, Sutherland’s Indigenous language. Sutherland says he had fun incorporating his language and chanting into the new album. “It’s important to me as a Cree language speaker to use it every chance I have and to retain and teach.” Pow wow singing and chanting, performed by Sutherland himself, are also woven into the tracks.
Sutherland’s 2021 album When The Magic Hits was recorded during a period when his fly-in community of Attawapiskat was cut off from the world for two whole years; all flights in and out were cancelled. Sutherland acknowledges that many other people were isolated during the pandemic, but he says that for him, “it felt much worse because of where I live.”
Despite the lockdown setbacks, Sutherland built his own recording studio inside a shipping container and worked remotely with Linden and Tim Vesely. When The Magic Hits earned a nomination at the 2022 JUNO Awards, and even though it didn’t win, Sutherland says, “It feels like it did.” The album also received a nod at the 2023 Canadian Folk Music Awards, while the title track “Magic Hits” won Best Music Video from San Francisco’s 47th American Indian Film Festival.
Sutherland’s music and life narrative offer a unique perspective, touching on important issues like contaminated water, food insecurity, addictions and mental health. His story captured the attention of national media like CTV’s The Social and Etalk, and international outlets like CNN. Sutherland says he has lived many of these issues first-hand, and while the song themes might sometimes be heavy, he says, “Hope is the main message in my music, and with hope comes light and love.”
In addition to his music, Sutherland is currently writing a book for Penguin Random House Canada, which he describes as “A wonderful opportunity” and “A chance to write about life in Attawapiskat. He cares deeply about this community and speaks of reconciliation with the hope that Canadians can walk together in love and respect.
The intimate, close-knit atmosphere at Red Bird Live in Old Ottawa South creates a personal connection between the artists and the audience, making it the perfect setting to catch Adrian Sutherland’s Ottawa performance on Thursday, July 18. Visit redbirdlive.ca to get your tickets.
Visit Adrian Sutherland’s website, www.adriansutherlandmusic.com, and follow him on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, Titock and Twitter to stay updated about concert dates and new releases.
Watch the music video for Adrian Sutherland’s Notawe (Father) and Magic Hits:
