Cod Gone Wild released its Christmas album, The Neighbourhood Rounds, this November and to celebrate the release, they will do their own version of The Neighbourhood Rounds and perform album release concerts from Osoyoos to Kamloops.
They will be performing the show in Vernon on Saturday, Dec. 15 at Trinity United Church. The Okanagan Celtic Choir will be opening the show and will also join the band for a couple of songs. The Celtic choir appears on two tracks on the album as well.
Based out of the Okanagan Valley since 2009, when lead singer and multi-instrumentalist Andrew Mercer transplanted from Newfoundland, the Cods are recognized as one of Canada’s top Celtic acts. With him, Mercer brought his passion for Newfoundland, the rich culture and the deeply rooted music he grew up with. Joining Mercer are musicians Susan Aylard (fiddle), Sean Bray (electric guitar, Martyn Jones (bass) and David Mihal (Drums).
The Cods are coming off a busy year already after the release of their fourth studio album The Islander last June and are excited about their upcoming tour and the release of their Christmas album.
“I grew up in a small neighbourhood street called Newfound Lane, in the town of Bay Robert’s Newfoundland. On this street there lived a tight-knit group of neighbours, who regularly got together to celebrate each other’s birthdays and anniversaries,” Mercer said of the story behind the album. “Years ago, a tradition was started at Christmas time to go around the neighbourhood and visit each house, taking the time to have a drink, some food, and to spin a few yarns at each stop along the way.”
The tradition of the neighbourhood rounds continues today and Mercer has written the title track of the album to not only keep the tradition alive but to remind people to come together this holiday season.
“It is my hope that in the spirit of the season, despite this tumultuous world that we live in, that people can come together. Visit your neighbours, check in on a friend that you haven’t spoken to in a while, and most importantly, make time for family,” Mercer said.
The much-anticipated album features a mix of original songs and Christmas songs that Mercer grew up listening to on the east coast.
“Growing up in Newfoundland and being exposed to traditional music at a young age, there will always be a strong Newfoundland influence in Cod Gone Wild’s music,” Mercer said. “Having musicians from various musical backgrounds allows us to create something a little more modern and edgy that will have a broader appeal to audiences across the country and around the world.”
Tickets for the show are $25 in advance ($30 at the door, if available) and are available through the Ticket Seller, www.ticketseller.ca or 250-549-7469. They are also available at www.codgonewild.com/shows. Showtime is 7:30 p.m. Visit www.codgonewild.com for more info, to order your copy of the album, and to see a full listing of tour dates.
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