As one of the few professional recording artists residing in a northern fly-in First Nation, Adrian Sutherland's music transcends boundaries, blending rock, roots, folk, and blues with his Cree heritage. In his latest song My Rebel Spirit, Sutherland’s distinct perspective as an outsider fuels his creativity, as he channels his rebellious spirit into his music.
"Living in the remote north and so far away from the music industry has many challenges. I have a different perspective than most people who live in urban areas, and because of that, I can be misunderstood," said Sutherland. Despite this, Adrian embraces his rebellious spirit, emphasizing the importance of staying true to oneself even in the face of adversity.
“The main message of My Rebel Spirit is that not everyone is going to accept you for who you are, so don’t let it get you down. Stay true to yourself, and you’ll stay on the right path,” Sutherland explains.
Through his music, Adrian invites listeners to embrace their authenticity and stand tall in the face of adversity.
ABOUT THE SONG
My Rebel Spirit was recorded during Adrian’s first-ever trip to the United States with GRAMMY-winning producer Colin Linden.
Linden commends Sutherland's authenticity, stating, "Adrian is so free… free of pretense, free of constraints, and free of limitations on where his music could go." This sincerity shines through in every note of My Rebel Spirit, a testament to Sutherland's genuine musicality and life experiences.
One of the highlights for Adrian was getting to work with Nashville-based Harmonica legend Mickey Raphael, known for his extensive collaboration with infamous country singer, Willie Nelson. Raphael lends his incredible talents to the song, adding a layer of depth and soul. Raphael also worked on two other tracks on the new album, “Precious Diamonds”.
“It was truly a pleasure and a privilege to play with Adrian,” says Raphael.
Performing on the track are Linden on electric guitars and harmony, John Dymond on bass, and Gary Craig on drums. It was written by Sutherland, and published and released by his company Midnight Shine Music.
My Rebel Spirit is one of the ten tracks on Adrian’s highly anticipated second album, “Precious Diamonds”, to be released on March 15, 2024.