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Adrian Sutherland is a roots-rock recording artist with heart from Canada’s Far North. He’s a singer, songwriter, musician, speaker, author, and advocate. He’s also a traditional knowledge keeper and respected cultural leader, fluent in his first language, Omushkegowuk Cree. 

After constructing his own recording studio inside a shipping container during the pandemic, Adrian worked remotely from Attawapiskat First Nation with producer Colin Linden in Nashville to record his debut solo album. When The Magic Hits 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. 

Adrian just completed recording his second album with Colin – working in-person for the first time. They laid down ten tracks in Nashville, born from the depths of Adrian’s extraordinary experiences and perceptions, and brought to life thanks to the incredible contributions of Colin’s musical colleagues.

FULL BIO 

Adrian Sutherland is a roots-rock recording artist with heart from Attawapiskat on James Bay. He’s a singer, songwriter, musician, speaker, author, advocate, entrepreneur, and the fascinating frontman and founder of all-Cree rockers Midnight Shine. He’s also a father of four, a grandfather to five, a traditional knowledge keeper, and respected cultural leader, fluent in Mushkegowuk Cree. 

  After building his own studio inside a shipping container out of necessity during the pandemic, Adrian recorded his debut solo album, When The Magic Hits. Working remotely with former GRAMMY winner Colin Linden in Nashville (seven tracks), and multi-award-winning Tim Vesely in Toronto (two tracks), the album was released on September 17, 2021, to great acclaim from fans and critics alike. It earned Adrian his very first nomination at The JUNO Awards after ten years in music. 

Adrian wrote three albums for release with Midnight Shine before shifting to solo projects. His debut single Politician Man, a response to the 2019 water crisis in his isolated First Nation, reached #1 on the Indigenous Music Countdown, won Best Performing Arts & Entertainment at the Yorkton Film Festival (Canada’s oldest film festival), and was nominated Best Music Video at the 46th American Indian Film Festival. The powerful protest song continues to receive accolades from film festivals around the world. 

Adrian’s second single Respect The Gift also reached #1 on the IMC, and was nominated Best Performing Arts & Entertainment at Yorkton in 2022. Right Here, the first single from When The Magic Hits, earned national media attention for its clever music video created from 1600 selfies. Magic Hits, the album’s captivating title track, earned radio airplay across Canada, the US, and Germany, and secured rotation on SiriusXM and Stingray Music. Scared, the next single, again topped the IMC chart at #1, and captured hearts with a deeply moving video created with fan messages about fears. 

Adrian is presently writing a book for Penguin Random House Canada about growing up in Attawapiskat, a remote and sometimes-harsh place he still chooses to call home. He cares deeply about many causes, and is using his music and voice to share first-hand perspective on issues facing First Nations like contaminated water, housing shortages, food insecurity, addiction, and mental health. At a time of growing awareness around Reconciliation, Adrian is hopeful for Canadians to better understand one another, and take further steps together.   

Passionate about making a difference, Adrian is driven to ensure that young people have access to arts, education, recreation, and land-based learning. He’s a Master Corporal with the Canadian Ranger Patrol, guiding youth on wilderness trips. He launched a music program supported by MusiCounts, and was instrumental in bringing ArtsCan Circle to his community.   

With no shortage of unique stories to share, Adrian has written for the Globe and Mail, Outdoor Canada, Canadian Musician Magazine, and Huffington Post. A devoted hockey player, too, he was thrilled to lace-up alongside other hockey-loving musicians and NHL legends for JUNO Cups in Ottawa 2017, Vancouver 2018, London 2019, and (almost!) Saskatoon 2020.   

Outside of music, Adrian is an entrepreneur who runs an eatery and convenience store with wife Judy in Attawapiskat. Early in his career he was a certified EMT, providing emergency paramedic services all over Northern Ontario. He was proud to be nominated for the 2016 Ontario Premier’s Awards for an unwavering commitment and dedication to the North, his home. 

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Adrian Sutherland - When The Magic Hits - Promo-Sheet

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