Fortunate Ones

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Catherine Allan and Andrew O’Brien know a lot about what it takes to make a good partnership. Their debut album, The Bliss was nominated for a JUNO Award, garnered two #1 singles on CBC Radio 2’s Top 20, won the 2016 “Rising Star” ECMA, the 2015 “Vocal Group” Canadian Folk Music Award, and four 2015 Music Newfoundland and Labrador Awards.

Over the last five years they have played over 300 shows together and have even garnered the attention of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau when he singled out a track from their 2016 Christmas EP All Will Be Well, as one of his favourite listens for the holidays.

Newfoundland duo Fortunate Ones’ just-released second album Hold Fast is a study in resilience and partnership. With the whirlwind that has been the band’s first 5 years it seems apt that the first track on this record, “Northern Star” calls on listeners to reflect, stay strong, and move forward.

The song ‘Steady As She Goes’ is dedicated to all those affected by the Fort McMurray wildfire of 2016, especially the first responders. Inspired by a true story, it speaks to how one person relies on another in the face of loss and insurmountable challenge.

Fortunate Ones were supported by a remarkable array of collaborators on Hold Fast, including songwriters Alan Doyle (Great Big Sea), Tim Baker (Hey Rosetta!), and Meg Warren (Repartee). Musically, the cast here includes Jim Bryson, Good Lovelies, Alexa Dirks (Begonia), Kinley Dowling (Hey Rosetta!), and the multi-talented Daniel Ledwell who produced the album at his studio in Lake Echo, Nova Scotia.

This collective effort has yielded songs from a band whose humility and quiet dignity belies a roaring artistic heart, which has been captured beautifully on Hold Fast.

“Fortunate Ones are fully contemporary, yet when you watch them you can’t help but feel you’re watching the ‘next in line’ of great Newfoundland entertainers.” – Tom Power, CBC Radio

"Fortunate Ones are a rare gem. Two voices singing as one." - Alan Doyle, Great Big Sea

Opening: MO KENNEY

Mo Kenney is a Canadian singer/songwriter based in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. Kenney began playing guitar when she was 11. She became interested in music via classic rock; among her favorite artists in her early teens were Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, and Ozzy Osbourne. When she found herself grounded for two months by her parents at age 16, she began writing songs in earnest and listening to singer/songwriters such as Elliott Smith. Smith in particular inspired Kenney to learn finger-picking. At around the same age, she also began to draw inspiration from the indie rock world, thanks to exposure to the films of Wes Anderson, and the adventurous soundtracks he favors. Catching the ear of noted Canadian rocker Joel Plaskett while still in school, Kenney released her first album in 2012, which Plaskett produced. Kenney is known for her lyrical prowess and engaging stage presence. Called "Nova Scotia's rising star" by The Scene magazine, she has toured with Plaskett as well as with Ron Sexsmith. In 2013, her song Sucker won the prestigious SOCAN Songwriting Prize.

On the strength of her debut album, Mo picked up four ECMA award nominations, winning the award for Pop Recording of the Year. Mo Kenney was released in England as well as Ireland, and Germany. In 2014, Kenney released her second album, In My Dreams, which was again produced by Joel Plaskett and released by New Scotland Records and Pheromone Recordings. The album delivered Kenney an ECMA award for Pop Recording of the Year for the second straight year. Kenney did a cross-country tour supporting the release of In My Dreams, and went to perform on Joel Plaskett’s Park Avenue Sobriety Test tour in the spring of 2015, both opening for Plaskett and accompanying band on guitar and backing vocals for half of every show on the tour. In My Dreams was released in Ireland, the UK, and Germany in 2015. In 2017, Mo released her third album, The Details, a candid record, said to follow Kenney through a period of depression to eventual stability, boasting coarse guitar and punchy percussion match Kenney's scrappy resiliency.

The Rogue Folk Club is pleased to provide great Sponsorship Opportunities for all our shows. For a nominal cost, individuals or businesses can sponsor any of our shows and reap a number of benefits - free tickets, reserved table, recognition on literature, our web site and at the concerts. For more information simply contact our Sponsorship Director Morris Biddle at mobiddley@me.com