WATCH AND SHARE “THE NEXT BLUE SKY” HERE
NEW ALBUM, SOLIDARITY, OUT NOW VIA PHEROMONE RECORDINGS
THE SOLIDARITY TOUR CONTINUES THIS WEEK WITH SPECIAL GUEST MAYHEMINGWAYS
“as cohesive as it is diverse…consistently impressive” No Depression
“Bill and Joel Plaskett get it right” NOW Magazine
“passion and prowess are evident throughout …beautifully shared vision” Exclaim!
“the most explicit folk foray of the Halifax musician’s career – built in his co-headlining father’s image, soaked in traditional sounds from both shores of the Atlantic” The Globe And Mail
Joel Plaskett and his father Bill Plaskett are just getting started on their cross country tour supporting their new collaborative album, Solidarity. Accompanying them on tour is Peterborough’s own Mayhemingways who also joined Bill and Joel in studio at Revolution in Toronto to capture the new video for “The Next Blue Sky.” The video was directed, edited, and captured by multiple JUNO Award winning veteran musician and producer Michael Phillip Wojewoda (Spirit Of The West, Rheostatics, Barenaked Ladies), who also recorded and mixed the live audio. Wojewoda is a long time fan of Joel’s however, this video marks the first time the two have worked together.
“The Next Blue Sky” is a song about heading West and looking for greener pastures. “This song is close to my heart these days,” says Joel. “Farewell to Nova Scotia while we hit the road, chasing the next blue sky.”
WATCH AND SHARE “THE NEXT BLUE SKY” HERE
Out now via Pheromone Recordings, Solidarity is a powerful collection of original and traditional songs, reflecting the duo’s individual journeys and personal politics. From the introspective opening track “Dragonfly,” a song about a paranormal experience that Joel had, to “On Down The River,” Bill’s closing track about leaving his home in England, the album is grounded in folk music but informed by rock and roll history.
The 11 songs on Solidarity are varied and personal, yet expressive of interconnecting themes.
Folk-based political songs like “We Have Fed You All for a Thousand Years” and “Jim Jones” sit side by side with contemplative love songs “No Sight Compares” and “New California,” a touch of rockabilly country blues “Help Me Somebody Depression Blues,” and more fully arranged folk rock songs of contemporary social commentary “Blank Cheque.”
Solidarity is a surprising and unique album, full of strong guitar playing and thoughtful, accessible songs. An excellent addition to the Plaskett catalogue and hopefully the first of many for the Plasketts.
THE SOLIDARITY TOUR
Mar 22 – Winnipeg, MB – West End Cultural Centre
Mar 23 – Regina, SK – WA WA Shire Centre
Mar 24 – Saskatoon, SK – Broadway Theatre
Mar 29 – Kelowna, BC – Mary Irwin Theatre
Mar 30 – Nanaimo, BC – The Queens
Mar 31 – Victoria, BC – Alix Goolden Performance Hall
Apr 1 – Vancouver, BC – Vogue Theatre
Apr 5 – Waterloo, ON – Starlight
Apr 6 – Waterloo, ON – Starlight
Apr 7 – Hamilton, ON – The Studio at Hamilton Place
Apr 8 – Toronto, ON – Massey Hall
Apr 12 – London, ON – Aeolian Hall
Apr 13 – London, ON – Aeolian Hall
Apr 14 – Stratford, ON – Avondale United Church
Apr 20 – Halifax, NS – Rebecca Cohn Auditorium
Apr 22 – Port Hawkesbury, NS – Port Hawkesbury Civic Centre
May 4 – Paris, ON – Dominion Telegraph
May 5 – Bayfield, ON – Old Town Hall