PRESS KIT
ARTIST BIO
One listen to Adrian Sutherland and you’ll know he’s unlike anyone else. Born and raised in Canada’s Far North, the roots-rocker-with-heart from Attawapiskat First Nation has the voice of a songbird, a boatload of talent, and an ocean of muses from the waters of James Bay. His melding of folk, rock, roots, and blues draws inspiration from his northern life, traditional lands, and Cree culture. His music touches hearts, with soul-stirring songs rippling far beyond stages and airwaves.
Adrian’s sophomore album Precious Diamonds was released March 15, 2024. Produced in Nashville by Colin Linden, and mastered in New Jersey by the multi-Grammy-winning team of Greg Calbi and Steve Fallone, legendary guest artists on the ten-track record include Mickey Raphael (harmonica) and Jim Hoke (saxophones).
Two songs are written in Adrian’s Indigenous language, marking the first time in his music career he is writing and recording in Omushkegowuk Cree. You’ll also hear pow wow singing and chanting woven into the songs, performed by Adrian himself – the first time he has done so in his contemporary music.
Adrian first worked with Colin Linden in 2021. Literally cut-off from the rest of the world for two full years, Adrian built his own recording studio inside a shipping container to stay active in music. He used it to work remotely to record solo debut When The Magic Hits. The album earned nominations at the 2022 JUNO Awards and 2023 Canadian Folk Music Awards, while title track Magic Hits won Best Music Video from San Francisco’s 47th American Indian Film Festival. It would also become the catalyst to launch his solo career.
Adrian wrote and released three full albums of music with his band Midnight Shine before turning to solo projects. As one of the only professional recording artists in all of Canada who resides on a remote fly-in First Nation, and who is fluent in his native language… Adrian’s story is compelling enough to capture the attention of national media like CTV’s The Social and Etalk, and international media like CNN Entertainment. Adrian has officially finished writing his memoir, The Work of Our Hands, about his extraordinary life in the North. The book is published by Penguin Random House Canada and is now available at select retailers.
Adrian cares deeply about many causes, with first-hand perspective on issues like contaminated water, food insecurity, addictions, and mental health. At this important time of reconciliation, he is hopeful for Canadians to walk together in love and respect.
SELECT MEDIA COVERAGE
CTV eTalk: Adrian Sutherland on eTalk
TVO ‘The Rundown’: A Love Letter to Attawapiskat
CTV ‘Your Morning’: Adrian Sutherland
CBC Radio - Winschgaoug (Cree): Adrian Sutherland discusses his new book, The Work of Our Hands
Global News ‘The Morning Show’: Adrian Sutherland's The Work of Our Hands
CBC Radio - The Current with Matt Galloway: A Conversation with Adrian Sutherland
Globe & Mail: Why I choose to raise my family in Attawapiskat
Timmins Today: Attawapiskat Musician Publishes First Book
CNN Entertainment: Adrian Sutherland's ‘Precious Diamonds’
CTV ‘The Social’: Chatting with musician Adrian Sutherland
CTV eTalk: Adrian Sutherland on eTalk
LA Weekly: Adrian Sutherland & Rodrigo Massa Are Sick of Politicians in “Don Politico”
Timmins Today: ‘People over politics’ - Northern singer's protest song goes international
Breakfast Television: Adrian Sutherland performs ‘Notawe (Father)’ in Cree LIVE on BT
CTV News Ottawa: Meet Singer-Songwriter Adrian Sutherland
SOCAN Words & Music: Precious Diamonds, Cree Confessions
Roots Music Canada: Check out Adrian Sutherland’s new video for ‘Precious’
Americana UK: Track Premiere of “My Rebel Spirit”
CBC News / CBC North: Songwriter brings more Cree language into his music
CBC - Eyou Dipajimoon (Cree): Adrian Sutherland talks about his new Cree songs and upcoming album
ET Canada: Special ‘Walk With Me’ music video to mark national day for truth and reconciliation
CTV News Ottawa: Beachburg students star in music video for truth and reconciliation
The Marilyn Denis Show: Adrian Sutherland isolated in Northern Ontario to record his debut album
CTV News Northern Ontario: Attawapiskat singer celebrates first time JUNO nod
MEDIA COMMENTS
“Look north to Attawapiskat for some of the most expansive and expressive roots-rock being made in Canada today… Adrian is one of Canada’s best Indigenous performers. I’ve met him several times and always left impressed with his determination to celebrate who he is and where he comes from...” --ONGOING HISTORY OF NEW MUSIC (Canada & USA)
“Adrian Sutherland’s music paints evocative images of the landscape and his indelible attachment to it. It's charming, honest and just rough enough around the edges to make for an engaging, provocative listening experience.” --CKUA RADIO (Canada)
“The Canadian Indigenous music scene has witnessed a significant transformation from the peaceful folk melodies of the sixties to the powerful expressions of contemporary Indigenous artists across various genres in 2023. And smack dead centre in this transformation is roots-rocker Adrian Sutherland, an Attawapiskat-based singer-songwriter who for my money provides a very interesting window into the evolution of this transformation…” --TIMMINS DAILY PRESS (Canada)
“The collaboration between Sutherland and GRAMMY-winning producer Colin Linden in Nashville has yielded remarkable results once again, highlighting Sutherland’s distinctive vocal prowess and profound connection to his Indigenous roots.” --INDIEPULSE MUSIC (USA)
“What’s cool is the blend of alternate styles he whips up to demonstrate that music still has room to emanate from a place of originality… it’s unequivocally some of the best Americana in its truest form.” --AMERICANA HIGHWAYS (USA)
“Much like Robbie Robertson’s ground-breaking work with The Band, Sutherland navigates the complexities of cultural representation with a finesse that extends beyond the lyrical content of his songs.” --INDIE MUSIC REVIEW (USA)
“Adrian Sutherland’s music is all over the map on this record, and that’s a good thing… Following in the footsteps of Indigenous progenitors, he manages to honor his traditions and heritage and still make great Rock & Roll.” --COACHELLA VALLEY WEEKLY (USA)
“Intriguing sounds and stories told from a poet of Canada’s Far North in an album that straddles two cultures while respecting both.” --READ JUNK (USA)
“The comparison with Native American musical luminaries is inevitable, yet Sutherland’s voice and style carve a distinctive path. Sutherland uses his platform to address universal struggles, showcasing a cultural resonance that extends beyond his personal narrative.” --SKOPE MAGAZINE (USA)
“No pretence, no grandeur, just rock and roots in its most sincere form… a smashing album, a terrific addition to the Cree spoken tradition, one that captures an essence of humanity firmly but never allows it to be crushed.” --LIVERPOOL SOUND AND VISION (UK)
“Best described as melodic rock shot through with blues, roots and Americana, his infectious and uplifting songs carry subtle yet powerful messages.” --RNR (UK)
COVER ARTWORK
