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September 7, 2010
Since its release in August of 2009, their self-titled debut album has resulted in 4 Music Newfoundland and Labrador awards, an East Coast Music Award 2010 nomination and most recently, a Galaxie Rising Star Award in Ontario. They have performed at The Stan Rogers International Folk Festival, Montreal Celt Fest, Lunenburg Folk Harbour Festival, Goderich Celtic Roots Festival, CBC’s National Radio program The Vinyl Café, Atlantic Canada House for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games, International Folk Alliance in Memphis, and Juno 2010 events.
Now THE ONCE come home for their first province wide tour before touring Ireland. Joining them on this special run for an entire evening of songs, stories and comedy is the acclaimed JOHN SHEEHAN.
Sheehan’s brand of stand up comedy took him across the country this year to perform at the International Winnipeg Comedy Festival, open for mega star Louis CK and on The Republic of Doyle during it’s national debut. He is also a veteran of REVUE, Yuk Yuks nationally and The Halifax Comedy Festival.
The Once and Sheehan have produced this concert series especially for Newfoundland audiences in conjunction with The Arts and Culture Centres.
From unaccompanied ballads layered with “vocal harmonies thick enough to stand on” to exquisitely arranged shanties featuring bouzouki, banjo, bodhrán and more, The Once has quickly become the pride of Newfoundland and Labrador’s folk music scene. Their subtle yet haunting folk sound has sold over 4,000 copies of their release in less than a year and landed them a record deal Canada’s premier folk label Borealis (Universal). John Sheehan is in demand on the touring circuit throughout Atlantic Canada as well as performing countless festival and corporate engagements.
Tickets are on sale now through The Arts and Culture Centres of Newfoundland and Labrador.
For more information or to schedule interviews:
Garrison Hill Entertainment Ltd
All dates have been posted on the SHOWS page.
August 27, 2010
The Once is pleased to announce a new member to the team. Robyn Boyd of Wooden Ship Productions will be the new USA agent. Robyn is well known in American Folk Music circles and currently represents UK folk legends Archie Fisher, Brian McNeill as well as Aoife Clancy, The Clancy Legacy and James Keelaghan to name a few. Watch for US concert dates soon!
August 12, 2010
We are thrilled to announce The Once are Galaxie Rising Star winners from The Goderich Celtic Roots Festival for 2010 with a cash prize of $2,000 for their performance. To learn more about Galaxie please click here and for press on the festival.
Offshoot of Celtic Festival “Rural Roots” Is a Hit
Goderich’s Celtic Roots Festival branched out this year, with eight indoor ‘Rural Roots’ concerts staged throughout Huron County.
“In addition to bringing Celtic music to a wider audience, we wanted to showcase the county,” says Festival Artistic Director Warren Robinson, “not only for visiting tourists but also for our performers. It’s a step toward making Huron County a musical destination.”
“Partnering with the Sallows Gallery was another way we featured Huron County,” he goes on, “with large screen projection of Ruben Sallows’ beautiful photographs before and during the concerts.”
By all accounts, the eight concerts were entirely successful. Gifted musicians entertained over 400 appreciative attendees in Wingham, Goderich, Bayfield, Seaforth, St. Joseph’s, Clinton and Blyth.
This journalist took in the Blyth concert starring Welsh composer and guitarist extraordinaire Gareth Pearson and the hugely talented trio, The Once, from Newfoundland.
Pearson, a 21 year old who took up guitar just five years ago listening to Chet Atkins’ stylings, has been called a string wizard and a monster guitarist. Chet would be proud—and impressed.
The speed and styling of Pearson’s guitar work is amazing. And his choreography and relaxed but funny interaction with the audience add much to each performance.
His original material is simultaneously unique, melodic, riveting, and intricate.
During Pearson’s rendition of Michael Jackson’s “Billy Jean” he simultaneously
played bass, rhythm, and melody, while imitating Jackson’s moves—even moon walking. Talk about a crowd pleaser!
From his black and white runners to his flying fingers, Gareth Pearson is the consummate entertainer—wonderful to listen to and great to watch.
As if the Pearson act wasn’t enough, it was on a bill with The Once, a gifted group making waves from the Maritimes right across Canada.
The Once—Geraldine Hollett, Phil Churchill and Andrew Dale—won the Galaxie Radio Rising Star award at this year’s Festival. Well-deserved recognition of prodigious talent.
Their superb and versatile musicianship, clever arrangements and stunning harmonies wowed the audience in Blyth Festival Theatre Memorial Hall.
Lead singer Hollett possesses a crystalline voice that is at once pure and resonant. The group’s a capella numbers were outstanding, particularly their take on Leonard Cohen’s “Comin’ Back to You”.
A swinging interpretation of “I’ll Be Your Baby Tonight” was a sure fire hit with everyone in attendance.
In addition to brilliant music, their entire performance was interwoven with the clever sense of humour and quick laughter innate to Newfoundlanders. Audience participation is a foregone conclusion when The Once is on stage.
If you didn’t get to any of the Rural Roots concerts this year, check them out next year. You can be sure the best of Celtic entertainment, Canadian and international, will be in the line-up.
August 1, 2010
Bonjour!
Many thanks to all the new fans and friends from Fredericton, Liverpool and Annapolis Royal last week! What a time we've had. In Montreal now for Celt Fest with the lovely folks from ENNIS then on to Goderich for a week of workshops, sessions and "festival-ing" with The Dardanelles and the crowd in Goderich, Ontario. Summer 2010 is one for the books for sure!
Wanted to also let you know that the re-release of our debut CD will take place in Toronto at The Gladstone Hotel on September 16th. This is an amazing cultural space and we're really looking forward to celebrating with Borealis Records and you! In celebration of our new partnership with Borealis, Duncan Major and his exquisite linocuts have joined forces with graphics guru Jud Haynes for an all new debut album design. Well worthy of a wall hanging!
Safe travels to all our friends playing stages far and wide this month and to all the folks with lawn chairs, sunblock and frisbees making folk music a way of life.
See you soon!
Geri, Phil & Andrew
July 20, 2010
Well we are packing our bags again and heading to some great festivals and theatres for the rest of July. Fredericton, Liverpool (NS), Annapolis Royale, Charlottetown, Montreal and Goderich are going to be home for the next little while. What a summer!
Please check back often as we are posting more tour dates shortly. And we also wanted to share this video with you from seaandbescene.com which is promoting Atlantic Canadian culture. Stephanie interviewed us in Halifax for this webisode. Great fun!
Cheers
July 8, 2010
Hi Folks
A big thanks to everyone who came out and said hello at all the wonderful events and festivals over the last two weeks. We had an amazing run on the first leg of our summer tour and are excited to get back out July 24. Thanks to all the organizers and volunteers who made our first time visits at Stan Fest, The Festival of Small Halls, The Company House, City of Moncton and Riverview so memorable. And the crowds! You really made our tour. Thank you!
Also wanted everyone to know that our CD may not be available for digital download for a couple days while we switch over to our brand new digs at Borealis! Very excited to call Borealis our label and we appreciate your patience as we make these important changes. Please feel free to contact our office (info@theonce.ca) for information on how to purchase our music and we'll get it to you!
Hope you are enjoying your summer as much as we are...
Cheers
Geri, Phil & Andrew
June 21, 2010
Borealis Records is pleased to announce Newfoundland trio The Once is joining our roster of artists with their self titled debut.
The Once (Andrew Dale, Geraldine Hollett and Phil Churchill) is a band of exceptional singers and musicians armed with bouzouki, mandolin, banjo and guitar who deliver ballads, shanties and original songs stemming from the rich traditions of their Island home. While Newfoundland music is often known for its raucousness, the Once comes from the province’s quieter and more intimate side; weaving their music around riveting vocal harmonies and acoustic instruments.
Winners of four Music Newfoundland and Labrador awards in 2009 and nominated for an East Coast Music Award in 2010, the Once have quickly become highly visible on the Canadian folk/roots scene. Most recently the group has appeared with Stuart McLean on CBC Radio’s Vinyl Café and this summer will be appearing at a number of festivals across Canada before embarking on a fall tour of Ireland.
Not only talented musicians but thespians as well, Dale, Hollett and Churchill have significant acting credits, having appeared in national plays, sketch comedies and television shows.
The band members are delighted to be joining artistic forces with Borealis Records, Canada’s premier folk-roots label.
“Borealis is a label for musicians run by musicians. This means a lot to us and we are proud to join this folk community and have our work distributed from coast to coast and beyond. Last year at this time we couldn’t imagine we’d be here. It’s been a large year for the Once.”
The group’s combination of gorgeous harmonies, thoughtful arrangements and compelling live performances guarantee The Once are on a path sure to connect to audiences everywhere.
For more Information:
April 2, 2010
Ryan Belbin from The Muse recently interviewed The Once. Check it out here
March 18, 2010
– THE ONCE –
One of the hottest new bands in Newfoundland has been burning the candle at both ends lately, with a schedule that has taken them across the country twice.
Among other things, the last few weeks has seen them rushing from a sold-out Olympic Atlantic Canada House performance, to a redeye flight bound for the International Folk Alliance Conference in Memphis, to a Gala performance at the ECMA’s in Sydney. Newfoundland Folk Trio The Once have just made their their third Vancouver appearance in three weeks. They were specially chosen to perform at the Paralympics Atlantic Canada House, in Whistler BC March 16th, after appearing there February 10th Olympic Athlete’s Village and at Atlantic Canada House February 18th in Vancouver.
From British Columbia they will make their way back to Newfoundland, to partake in the upcoming Juno Awards celebration. As this year's 'buzz band' they are in high demand at both public events and 'insider' showcases. Their many fans in St. John's will get a chance to see them live at the 'Ruckus on the Edge' celebration on April 14th at the Delta Ballroom. There they will join some of Newfoundland's other finest roots performers in a special concert welcoming visitors from across Canada and celebrating Newfoundland and Labrador Culture.
A full spring and summer schedule of concerts will see them perform across the country. In the autumn, home town fans will be able to catch them at our province's Arts and Culture Centers during a provincial tour with actor and comedian John Sheehan. After that, the band will head overseas for a tour of United Kingdom concert halls, before returning for dates in Alberta and Manitoba.
CBC Radio listeners and fans of Stuart McLean can hear them nationally on March 27 & 28, when they join McLean as the musical guests on the popular Vinyl Cafe. Their debut self titled CD is the winner of four Music NL awards and was nominated at this years ECMAs. It is available across the province at fine retailers, iTunes, MapleMusic and at www.theonce.ca
For more info, contact
Garrison Hill Entertainment Ltd.
March 14, 2010
The Once have returned from their month long trek to the Olympics in Vancouver, Folk Alliance in Memphis and then the East Coast Music Awards in Sydney. It was a really great time.
A couple new shows have been announced on the SHOWS page.
January 2010
The Once to perform as part of Olympic Festivities representing Newfoundland and Labrador:
December 3rd, 2009
What a week! A huge and heartfelt "Thank You" to everyone who came out to Gower St. United for our Christmas Time! We couldn't have asked for a more supportive and enthusiastic audience...and sold out no less! Wow!! We had so much fun singing for you all and were delighted to hear you singing along as well. To our dear friends Andy Jones and Greg Walsh (not to mention our surprise guest Bob Joy!) - most sincere gratitude. You know, we all had such a great time that we just may have to look into doing it again...
As if that wasn't enough, on the afternoon of the show we found out that we've been nominated for an East Coast Music Award in the category of Roots Group of the Year! Congrats to all our other friends and nominees as well. Really looking forward to meeting up with everyone this coming March in Sydney...it's gonna be some time!!!
November 29, 2009
Thank you to everyone who purchased tickets for this evenings performance! The show is now officially sold out, however we will try to release some tickets at the door if possible once advance ticket holders are seated.
MusicNL Awards
A BIG thank you to everyone for their continued support. This has been an amazing year and we are thrilled and humbled to have just won 4 MUSIC NL awards
(Rising Star, Group, Album and Folk Roots of the Year) at the gala. To everyone who came out to the shows and continue to buy the debut CD thank you again.
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Website by Jud Haynes. Based on artwork by Duncan Major. |