Adrian Sutherland (Midnight Shine) has a new single out in advance of his debut solo album
Photo by Judy Sutherland.
Adrian Sutherland has just released a brand new single, in advance of his debut solo album, which is due Sept. 17.
“Right Here” is a song about always being there for the people that you love and care about, especially when times are tough. And vice versa – having the people that you love and care about being there for you when you need them most,” Adrian explained.
“Right Here” was written by Adrian, Tim Vesely, and Colin Cripps. It was produced and engineered by Tim, who also plays guitar and bass, at The Woodshed Studio in Toronto. Colin is on electric guitar, with Lyle Molzan on drums. The song was mastered by João Carvalho, with artwork by long-time artistic design collaborator Nick Perreault.
Since March of 2020, Adrian has been fully isolated on the James Bay in Attawapiskat First Nation – a fly-in community that due to the pandemic had no flights out at all. With zero access to studio infrastructure, he had to fully DIY it, spending last fall constructing and gearing up recording space in a metal shipping container on his property. This spring, Adrian was able to work interactively and remotely with producers from inside his ‘sea-can studio’ for recording vocals and music tracks for the album.
Adrian is a singer, songwriter, musician, speaker, advocate, and the fascinating frontman and founder of roots-rockers Midnight Shine. He’s also a father of four, grandfather to four, a traditional knowledge keeper, and respected cultural leader, fluent in Mushkegowuk Cree. He is writing his first book for Penguin Random House Canada about growing up in the remote and sometimes-harsh place he still chooses to call home.
Adrian began solo projects after releasing four albums with his band Midnight Shine. Acclaimed debut single “Politician Man,” a protest song for Canada, reached #1 on the Indigenous Music Countdown and won Best Performing Arts & Entertainment at Canada’s oldest film festival. His next single “Respect the Gift” debuted in early 2021 on The Strombo Show in Canada and American Songwriter Magazine in the US, and reached #1 on the IMC in May.
Adrian cares deeply about many causes, and is using his music and voice to share first-hand perspectives on issues facing First Nations like contaminated water, housing shortages, food insecurity, addiction, and mental health issues. At a time of growing awareness about reconciliation, he is hopeful that Canadians will better understand one another and take steps together.
