Phr the once, to ~ [d 'wonse]: as soon as possible, right away; DIRECTLY; in a short while.
-The Dictionary of Newfoundland English

The island of Newfoundland is a living entity.

It was born from an apathetic sea and nurtured by a dauntless people; reared strong and stalwart; sculpted in equal part from ancestral traditions, fate and chance.

In the summer of 2004, Geraldine Hollett, Phil Churchill and Andrew Dale found themselves at a summer repertory theatre company in the tiny, centuries old fishing community of Trinity, Newfoundland. Charged with the task of providing little more than an evenings worth of music and song for tourists and countrymen, the three wove their voices and instruments together to create what is now the critically acclaimed folk trio known as The Once.

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. 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, Juno 2010 events and have recorded a National radio Christmas Concert for the CBC.

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.

Working with Garrison Hill Entertainment Ltd (Bob Hallett from Great Big Sea), they have now signed with Canada's premier folk music label Borealis Records. This fall, The Once will embark on a 12 venue tour through their home province with comedian and fellow Newfoundlander John Sheehan, perform in Cape Breton at the Celtic Colours International Festival and then continue on to Ireland for a highly anticipated tour with Juno Award winner Amelia Curran.

If they are not already on your minds or on your shelf, rest assured, they will be The Once.

QUOTES

"The Once…are gifted with strong voices that tremble with richness and vitality…Their arrangements of Newfoundland and British Isles folk music are imaginative and newly minted with particularly fine a capella trio versions."
The Chronicle Herald, Halifax (Lunenburg Folk Harbour Festival review)

“Folk group The Once are a St. John’s based trio whose mastery of harmony is comparable to most people’s mastery of breathing…the trio have sung and played their way into the limelight with a laid back and old school style of performance.”
The Scope, St. John’s

“The most exciting thing to come out of Atlantic Canada since Amelia Curran.”
Tony Murray, Manager/Concert Promoter

“Perfect vocal harmonies thick enough to stand on. Think of the heavenly mix of Alison Krauss, Emmylou Harris and Gillian Welch, back them up with The Chieftans, and let Daniel Lanois swim around in it, and you’re still only halfway there.”
Amelia Curran, ECMA Nominated Singer/Songwriter