LACING UP FOR THE JUNO CUP!
Adrian Sutherland returning to celebrity hockey game
Attawapiskat ON via Winnipeg MB (March 20, 2018) -- Hot off the heels of the release of his third album, Adrian Sutherland of Midnight Shine is traveling from one coast to another to join in on the annual celebrity hockey game in support of MusiCounts.
Sutherland, who hails from Attawapiskat in remote Northern Ontario, will lace-up alongside Canadian musicians including Jim Cuddy, Devin Cuddy, Sam Polley, Dallas Smith, Aaron Pritchett, Barney Bentall, Dustin Bentall, Craig Northey, Matt Sobb, and more, to take on former NHL greats like BJ MacDonald, Cliff Ronning, Dave Babych, Troy Crowder, and Kirk McLean, and Olympians Kaillie Humphries, Jill Saulnier, Natalie Spooner, and Rebecca Johnston, at the 15th JUNO Cup, presented by CBC Sports.
The puck drops at 7:30pm PT this Friday March 23, at Bill Copeland Sports Centre in Burnaby, BC. Individual tickets are $20 + fees, available atwww.ticketmaster.ca. All proceeds from the JUNO Cup benefit MusiCounts, the music education charity associated with CARAS. Held annually during JUNO Week, this celebrity hockey game has raised $840,000 for MusiCounts over the last 14 years, which helps put instruments into the hands of kids who need them the most.
On Thursday March 22, Adrian will sing a tune at the JUNO Cup Jam, where iconic artists and hockey legends playing in the JUNO Cup will entertain with an unforgettable night of musical collaborations and covers. Canada’s most talented musicians will come together for this one-night performance at The Imperial in Vancouver (319 Main Street). Ticket proceeds also benefit MusiCounts.
INVITED BACK FOR SECOND YEAR
This year marks Sutherland’s second JUNO Cup, and he’s looking forward to returning. “I had a great time playing last year in Ottawa, and am happy that organizers invited me back to play again,” says Sutherland. “Even though it’s a long way from home, it’s worth it to me, to be able to take part in the game.”
“Hockey has always been a passion of mine. For as long as I could remember, I wanted to be a hockey player, or a musician. So for me, JUNO Cup really is the best of both worlds.”
Growing up in the isolated James Bay area, with no organized hockey leagues or formal instruction, he started playing hockey as a boy when the school in Attawapiskat collected donated gear from the “south” to give to kids in the community. He got “whatever he could grab” and began what would become a lifelong love affair with the game – teaching himself to play by reading books, watching videos, and practicing skating skills alone on his backyard rink.
Read more about Adrian’s hockey journey, in his own words, in this blog post: http://midnightshineonline.com/good-ol-hockey-game/.
NEW ALBUM RECEIVING RAVE REVIEWS
Adrian’s band, Midnight Shine, released their highly-anticipated third album on February 23, 2018. Two producers worked on HIGH ROAD, helping take Midnight Shine’s music and talent to new places. John-Angus MacDonald (The Trews) recorded seven songs at Jukasa Studios in Ohsweken, Ontario, and Tim Vesely (Rheostatics) recorded two tracks at The Woodshed in Toronto.
Something new for Midnight Shine is adding touches of cultural embellishments to their music. On the HIGH ROAD album you’ll hear hand-drumming, lyrics in Cree, and a little creatively-placed pow wow. The result is a roots/rock band pushing musical boundaries and boldly taking new strides, while staying true to who they are and where they come from.
The lead single is an exceptional cover of Neil Young’s HEART OF GOLD, bringing a timely new sound to this timeless classic. Midnight Shine’s version of is distinctly different, yet honours the heart and soul of the original. It was produced by Midnight Shine, along with John-Angus MacDonald. (FUN FACT: Listen for Chris Gormley from Big Sugar on drums!)
“Quite a fascinating version of Neil’s song. Love the First Nations’ feel of it. Very cool...”
-- John Einarson, Neil Young Biographer & Music Historian
Listen to Heart of Gold here:
https://soundcloud.com/midnightshineonline/heart-of-gold-cover
ABOUT MIDNIGHT SHINE
They came together by chance. They stayed together for a shot. When Adrian Sutherland from Attawapiskat was offered opening spot for Trooper in Timmins, he reeled in some Northern Ontario musicians to form temporary band Midnight Shine. Their intention was to make the most of this one-off performance. Eight years, five radio singles, three albums, and 200+ media stories later… you could say they have. Turning heads with a sound that seamlessly mixes roots, classic and modern rock, Midnight Shine’s music is anchored by eloquent lyrics and heartfelt vocals that share a glimpse of life in the far North. A must-hear band you’ll take a real shine to…www.midnightshineonline.com
UPCOMING PERFORMANCES
Midnight Shine will return to Toronto for Canadian Music Week, May 7-13. A busy summer schedule is currently in the works, with word already out about the following festival performances:
CBC Music Festival – Toronto, Ontario
May 26 all-Canadian line-up at Echo Beach
Stars and Thunder Festival – Timmins, Ontario
June 25 mainstage performance with Blue Rodeo and Colin James
Trackside Music Festival – London, Ontario
July 1 mainstage performance on Canada Day
SKOOKUM Festival – Vancouver, BC
September 8 mainstage performance
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