Woodfordia Inc in partnership with Port Fairy Folk Festival and National Folk Festival presents
Newfoundland has a storied history of stunning songwriters, poets and players. Over the course of the last decade The Once have writ and knit themselves into that story.
The story of The Once is one of growth, propelled by the rare chemistry that comes from a decade of writing and touring together. Their songs have been placed in international film and television, they have YouTube videos with millions of hits, and there’s a trail of trophy nominations and wins from the East Coast Music Awards, the Canadian Folk Awards, and the JUNO Awards in their wake.
SInce first hitting the road in 2009, The Once has earned one of the most loyal followings in the country. Ask their fans why they love the band and watch their eyes widen as the words flow. It becomes clear that The Once ain’t regular folk. They’ve built something unique within their genre, and something rare within the fan base that keeps them growing and going strong and they do not take that fan base for granted. “We give all we got to them because we know we can’t do what we want to do if they’re not with us,” says Hollett of those who have shown endless support for the group. It was this resonance with fans that launched their career and it is this deep relationship that continues to inspire the band to travel new paths, explore new territory, and create new music.
Geraldine Hollett’s voice is a large part of the band’s ethereal sound, and there is nowhere it would sit better than in between the rhythmic and supportive voices of Phil Churchill and Andrew Dale, and the lush soundscapes they build. The trio’s instrumentation and vocals meld together like gold, building something stronger together than any one songwriter could muster alone. Their harmonies grab you by the heart, and their music melts what’s left of it.
Building on the wave of creative energy that defined their last album, Time Enough is a striking and subtle sea change for the band. Dive in, get lost, click repeat
http://www.theonce.ca
https://www.facebook.com/TheOnceBand
https://twitter.com/theonceband
https://open.spotify.com/user/theonceband
https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/theonceband/
https://www.youtube.com/user/TheOnceBand
“Leaves me in a perpetual state of wistful, anthemic longing. An innocence that nevertheless leaves me with the sense that we are flirting with tragedy.”
— Jeff Reilly, CBC
“Simply put, they’re a joy to witness. Dazzling three part harmonies and a capella arrangements stoke a nostalgic longing for idyllic rural memories regardless of one’s own past. In hearing them perform, you feel like you’re a part of an alternate reality in which negativity never existed.”
— Neil Van, Live in Limbo
“THE ONCE get 3 of 4 stars in Canada’s Globe and Mail
Just as the sea refuses no river, the Once turns back no listeners. These three Newfoundlanders gracefully and evocatively offer gem-like maritime music – foot-stomping shanties, heart-rendering ballads, salt-aired interpretations (of Tom Waits and Leonard Cohen tunes) and a cappella three-part harmonies thicker than Mama Cass’s midriff. The drinkable Geraldine Hollett is the pure-voiced starlet, riveting on the soloed Marguerite. Something singular is happening here, you bet.”
— Brad Wheeler, Globe And Mail
Award winning songwriter John Flanagan has been compared to James Taylor and Paul Kelly for his warm vocal delivery and engaging storytelling. He has been called “one of Australia’s finest lyricists” and “a songwriting force to keep an eye on” (Timber and Steel).
He combines 70’s folk singer-songwriter influences with a range of contemporary Americana styles, from bluegrass and country to blues and folk. His engaging, honest lyricism and timeless melodies saw him win the respect of the Australian roots music scene when he took out the prestigious Gympie Music Muster Talent Search in 2013. Since then, John has gone on to pick up songwriting awards all over and win over fans at many major music festivals around the country.
Flanagan truly made his mark on the Australian musical landscape when he released There’s Another Way to Where You’re Going in February 2016. Recorded in Nashville with Grammy-award winning producer Viktor Krauss, and the product of collaboration with musicians from the line-ups behind Willie Nelson, Robert Plant and Emmylou Harris, the album was nominated for best Folk/Roots Album in The Age Music Victoria Awards, was featured on ‘album of the week’ lists for ABC and community radio and has been a radio favourite around the country. The album also debuted in the top 10 iTunes singer/songwriter charts and received regular national radio play and rave reviews.
In 2018 he released Honest Man, Flanagan’s 3rd album and his first time recording with regular band mates The John Flanagan Trio. The album has received high praise from critics around the world.
http://www.johnflanagan.net/
https://www.facebook.com/johnflanaganmusic
https://twitter.com/jjflanagan
https://soundcloud.com/jjflan
https://www.instagram.com/jjflanagan
https://www.youtube.com/user/BeginAgainsOFFICIAL
“Superlative Americana Folk. Flanagan delivers what will surely be one of the best albums of 2018.”
– Floorshime Zipper Boots (US)
“Confident ‘Australiana’ with strong, narrative songs. Traditional and original at the same time. 8/10”
– Americana UK (UK)
“As fine and friendly as Aussie folk gets”…
“Flanagan’s thoughtful songwriting and James Taylor-esque vocals land warm and familiar on the ears”… “Freewheeling fun’
– Rhythms Magazine (AUS)
“John Flanagan has written the best story song of the year … has proven himself a songwriting force to keep an eye on….one of Australia’s finest lyricists”
– Timber and Steel
“One of the country’s hardest working musicians”
– Paul Gough, The Inside Sleeve, ABC Radio National
“John Flanagan has a gentle gravity in his voice and words, the kind that makes you stop and listen”
– Wally De Backer (gotye)
“It’s storytelling via bluegrass and folk music, with classic-yet-refreshing songwriting and captivating lyricism” “What’s the Australian version of Americana?… This EP encapsulates it”
– themusic.com.au
MEDIA RESOURCES
Festival of Small Halls Announces Autumn Tour 2019
Festival of Small Halls has launched the largest tour in its history in partnership with major Australian festivals Port Fairy Folk Festival and the National Folk Festival.
The Autumn Tour 2019 features award-winning Canadian trio The Once (CAN) and master Australian folk collaborator John Flanagan (AUS). The group are bound for 25 regional towns across South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales in March and April.
For full release, click to download
ARTISTS BIOGRAPHIES
The Once
The story of The Once is one of growth, propelled by the rare chemistry that comes from a decade of writing and touring together.
Their songs have been placed in international film and television, they have YouTube videos with millions of hits, and there’s a trail of trophy nominations and wins from the East Coast Music Awards, the Canadian Folk Awards, and the JUNO Awards in their wake.
For full biography, social media links and press quotes, click here
John Flanagan
Combining 70s folk influences with a contemporary Americana/bluegrass sound, John Flanagan has drawn comparisons to James Taylor and Paul Kelly and proven himself to be “one of Australia’s finest lyricists” (Timber and Steel).
For full biography, social media links and press quotes, click here
MEDIA KIT
Click here to download the Media Kit