This show is presented in partnership with the Winnipeg Folk Festival.
For his eagerly-awaited sophomore album, songwriter William Prince begins with single word, Reliever, which informs a collection of exceptionally rendered explorations of what, who and how peace is found. Relievers come in all forms; for Prince, it is song. With its emphasis on words and confidently unfussed accompaniment, Reliever puts Prince’s gift for sparking powerful emotions of both personal and communal relevance at the fore. A masterclass in skillful simplicity, Reliever works a generous and profound kind of magic.
Prince’s influences and references, from the gospel of his childhood to Christopher Wallace’s sermons of a different sort, the pantheon of classic outlaw country singers, baseball and the great beyond, shape Reliever into a collection that approaches the big questions with humility and curiosity. At the edge of the ocean, between father and son, from stranger to lover, the album flows through the places and moments where real connections and healing happen.
To make Reliever, Prince reconvened with producers Dave Cobb in Nashville and Scott Nolan in Winnipeg, the team behind his JUNO Award winning debut and subsequent Glassnote Records reissue, Earthly Days. With the song “Breathless,”Earthly Days introduced Prince’s poignant philosophy and rich baritone to the world. Prince’s trajectory from Peguis First National in Manitoba, Canada, to opening for Neil Young, has seen the relative newcomer find esteem and career-changing opportunity wherever he performs.
Opener - Sophie Stevens
Sophie Stevens is a singer-songwriter from Winnipeg, Canada. Since the debut of her steadfast music career, Sophie has been skillfully creating songs that take elements of the modern indie folk-pop landscape while bringing classical guitar, unique piano riffs, and enchanting melodies into the mix. Combining her heartwarming vocals, gentle lyricism, and a love for all walks of life expressed in every note, Sophie sings indie folk songs of hope to give a break from the tiresome parts of life and bring reminders of the joyful aspects of being human.
Inspired by her passion for music as an emotionally-charged teenager, Sophie has crafted a unique sound by exploring many diverse genres from punk rock to musicals and honing her angelic vocals through growing up in choir. While writing meaningful music has always been a key part of her identity, Sophie has consistently aimed to provide listeners with a break from the anxieties and alienation we face in our own heads by offering not only a captivating, heartwarming sound, but a stage-presence of pure coziness and unconditional love for all. This passionate musician has manifested a reputation that can only be summed up in one word: wholesome.
While excitedly pursuing her own career, Sophie has shared stages with the likes of Royal Canoe, Mo Kenney, and Wax Mannequin and played at Manitoba music festivals including Winnipeg Folk Fest, Festival Du Voyageur, and Real Love Summer Fest. On top of her personal music career, her knowledge and love of harmony and instrumentation has enabled her to accompany fellow musicians Micah Erenberg and Logan McKillop in bands and on multiple tours, as well as appear on albums by Richard Inman and the former Erenberg.
Sophie’s debut single “No One’s Happy” is out November 1st, 2019, following many more exciting announcements for the coming year. No matter how you feel or where your heart may be, Sophie’s music can’t help but pull you away from the negativity of everyday life to remind you that everything can be okay, even if only in four minute song increments.